How to Troubleshoot a FLOAT Type

Checking your toilet float valve is a simple at-home repair.

A running toilet tank is more than an annoyance. It is literally money running down the drain. In the back of the toilet tank is a flow master. If water reaches the top of the flow master, it spills over the top and runs into the toilet bowl. This prevents the toilet from overflowing. The float hangs on one side of a bar that attaches to the water valve. As the water rises in the tank, the float rises. Ultimately, the float rises high enough to shut off the valve.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Towel
• Replacement float

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Instructions

1. Turn the water shut-off valve to the right to stop the flow of water. If the valve is hard to turn, use the adjustable wrench to turn off the water.

2. Spread a towel on the floor. This protects the floor and the tank cover from scratches.

3. Remove the top of the toilet tank and place it on the towel. On one side of the tank is the flow master. This tube attaches to the float with a long rod. Plastic tubing feeds water into the top of the flow master.

4. Look at the height of the water. If the water is at or within a quarter of an inch from the top of the flow master, then the water level is too high. Water is leaking over the top of the flow master into the bowl.

5. Flush the toilet. Because the water is turned off, the tank will not fill.

6. Lift the float with your hand. If the float is heavy, it contains water. This means the float is leaking and requires replacement. Unscrew the old float and replace with the new float.

7. Unscrew the rod from the flow master. Bend the rod slightly with your hands. Replace the rod so that the float is bent slightly lower than before. Bending the rod lowers the height of the float so that less water is required to raise the float high enough to stop the water flow.

8. Turn the shut-off valve to the left and watch the tank refill. Check the depth of the water against the flow master. If necessary, bend the float rod a little more.

Tips & Warnings

• Use caution when working around the flow master. If you knock the flowmaster out of alignment with water flowing to the toilet, water sprays all over the room. Turn off the water before adjusting anything attached to the flow master.

References

• Acme Maintenance: How To Check or Adjust the Fill Valve
• The Housing Foum: How To Fix a Running Toilet
• Plumbing Supply: Toilet Trooubleshooting 101