toilet still leaks

14 years ago

I've followed several of the posts on here and gone on to many websites.

After changing the toilet flapper three times I changed all the toilet guts yesterday. New ballcock, new flushvalve and flapper, etc.

I can still see water running slowly into the bowl and periodically the bowl partially flushes to get rid of the excess water.

The overflow tube, that apparently hadn't been working for months, now works and is not dangling into the overflow tube but above it. The water level is a good one inch below the top of the overflow tube.

Any thoughts? I appreciate the help in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

dan_martyn
14 years ago
If you are on a well system, you maybe pulling up debrise/sand from the well and fouling the valve. If you pull up on the float does it stop running?
hendricus
14 years ago
Did you clean the crud off the seat where the flapper sits?

After all that I would get a new toilet.
Related Discussions
toilet still leaking at floor seal
Q
Comments (11)
This is eerily similar to a problem I had at my house :-) I did not have a cracked flange; however the toilet would NOT stop leaking. I tried an extra big wax seal; two wax seals...finally I scraped all that crap up, tossed it, and bought one of those gaskets that does NOT use wax. I believe my toilet was leaking due to an uneven floor. The gaskets they sell these days seal tightly to your toilet, and then empty into your sewer well below the level of the floor, completely bypassing all problems due to flanges, uneven floors, etc. I'd repair the flange so you have a good solid connection, they sell kits for that too, easy as pie, and then use a gasket kit without wax. Of course I'm a hardcore DIY'er, you should just call a plumber if you're in over your head!
...See More
Leaking Toilet
Q
Comments (1)
Assuming you mean it's leaking around the outside of the drain pipe, add another wax ring.
...See More
repairing 1-piece toilet - flush valve
Q
Comments (3)
Apparently, one piece toilet flush valves need a special wrench that you use with a ratchet. If you buy a new flush valve, it comes with the wrench (glorified piece of plastic) and is not too difficult to get the flush valve out. I bought the replacement at http://www.plumbingpartsdepot.com/, who was conveniently down the street from me. They do mail order, too. All you need is the toilet type - a four digit number embossed in the tank starting with a 2. Unfortunately, after replacing everything, the toilet still leaks. The plumbing parts guys gave me some ideas to try to fix it, but it looks like there's a defect in the porcelain that isn't allowing a proper seal. I haven't had the energy to have another go at it, but pretty soon I'll be trying a nail file and plumbers putty. Wish me luck!
...See More
How to choose a new flapper (among other questions)
Q
Comments (1)
Your flapper is probably long past its prime. Get a name brand toilet repair kit, like this one: Korky Most toilets are pretty basic technology, and replacement flappers are designed to fit on the vast majority of toilets. I very much doubt that there is something unique about your Kohler that requires a specific flapper.
...See More
ronbruce
Original Author
14 years ago
No, not on a well but the float will stop the toilet... almost. It's not like you can even hear the small streams that run into the toilet either.

Yes, I checked and the flapper seat, now a brand new one, is nice and smooth.

Perhaps a new toilet would be the way to go.

Thanks for the thoughts.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
I've had the same situation in the past. Just a tiny bit of water seen going into the toilet until the level in the tank gets low enough that it does a partial flush.

I replaced the flapper 3 times made by different manufacturers before I found one with a perfect fit, that did not allow any water to leak.

Have you tried different manufacturers for the flapper?

Have you wiped the top of the pipe leading to the bowl where the flapper meets it? Might there be rust or hard water deposits on it?

Sue
thecomposter
14 years ago
Make sure the tubing from the ballcock going into the overflow tube is not touching the water level. This sometimes creates a siphon making it look like the flapper leaks. Hope this is making sense.
dan_martyn
14 years ago
So if the float is stopping the flow, is there a small amount of water in the float? Some floats are a two float which can be opened and drained. Then try to adjust the float lower so it shuts off tighter.
brickeyee
14 years ago
What kind of fill valve id you use?

A new valve should not have any problems.

Another place that a leak could be occurring is seals for the whole flush assembly.

They are a little more work to replace since you have to take the tank off the bowl, but a leak there will dump eater into the bowl also.
ronbruce
Original Author
14 years ago
I did try several types of flappers from different manufacturers and when I replaced everything I lifted the tank off to replace the entire flush valve and gasket (the old one was leaking and I didn't even know it).

The new flush valve seat is nice and smooth and the overflow tubing is not hanging into the overflow tube but just over it.

I went floatless this time and it is a new ballcock by Fluidmaster I believe.

Most vexing.

Related Stories

SELLING YOUR HOUSE Save Money on Home Staging and Still Sell Faster

By Kristie Barnett, The Decorologist

Spend only where it matters on home staging to keep money in your pocket and buyers lined up

Full Story

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Granite, Still a Go-to Surface Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Every slab of this natural stone is one of a kind — but there are things to watch for while you're admiring its unique beauty

Full Story

142

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose the Right Toilet

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Style, seat height, flushing options, color choice and more will help you shop for the right toilet for you

Full Story

BEFORE AND AFTERS A Seattle Family Bathroom Gains Privacy and Polish

By Becky Harris

Too much togetherness, along with a major leak, leads to a full gut renovation of a 1908 bath

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Renovation Retains a 1920s Bath’s Vintage Charm

By Becky Harris

A ceiling leak spurs this family to stop patching and go for the gut

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Hide the Toilet

By Royston Wilson Design

If you don’t want your toilet to be the main feature of your bathroom, here’s how to let it take a backseat in your bath’s decor

Full Story

LIFE The Absolute Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper. Maybe

By Mitchell Parker

Find out whether over or under is ahead in our poll and see some unusual roll hangers, shelves and nooks

Full Story

301

HOME TECH Meet the New Super Toilets

By Mike Elgan

With features you never knew you needed, these toilets may make it hard to go back to standard commodes

Full Story

141

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Install a Toilet in an Hour

By Innovative Design Build

Putting a new commode in a bathroom or powder room yourself saves plumber fees, and it's less scary than you might expect

Full Story

BATHROOM DESIGN Bath Remodeling: So, Where to Put the Toilet?

By By Any Design Ltd.

There's a lot to consider: paneling, baseboards, shower door. Before you install the toilet, get situated with these tips

Full Story

toilet still leaks

Comments (8)

dan_martyn

hendricus

Related Discussions

ronbruce
Original Author

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

thecomposter

dan_martyn

brickeyee

ronbruce
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

toilet still leaks

Comments (8)

dan_martyn

hendricus

Related Discussions

ronbruceOriginal Author

Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana

thecomposter

dan_martyn

brickeyee

ronbruceOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

ronbruce
Original Author

ronbruce
Original Author