Toilets have come a long way over the last 100 years or so. What were once tanks mounted high on the wall that relied on gravity are now efficient marvels of modern hydraulics. But they still have their issues, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains the most common problems with modern toilet tanks.
Tank Lever
The tank lever is the tank-side component attached to the flushing handle. Its job is to lift a flapper, allowing water to rush from the tank into the bowl. The lever needs to be adjusted, either by bending or by tweaking the length of the chain attaching it to the flapper.
If the toilet doesn’t flush efficiently, the lever’s chain might be too long. If the toilet runs constantly, the lever’s chain might be too short.
Flush Valve
The flush valve works with the lever and the flapper to allow water to rush into the toilet for flushing. It consists of the port where the flapper sits and an overflow tube that drains excess water into the tank if the fill valve doesn’t shut off. A refill hose is attached to the overflow tube as well, allowing it to fill the bottom of the toilet with enough water to prevent sewer gases from exiting the pipe.
The most common issue with flush valves is a faulty flapper seat. This is often caused by an older flapper or buildup around the flush valve.
Fill Valve
The fill valve refills the tank after flushing and shuts off the water when it reaches the correct height. It has an attached float that drops with the water level when the flapper is open and then rises as the tank refills. Once it reaches the correct height, the float shuts off the fill switch.
If the float is too low, the tank won’t fill enough to flush efficiently. However, if it’s too high, the water may continue to run and drain into the toilet constantly through the overflow tube.
Fixing Common Toilet Tank Issues
In most cases, toilet tank issues are relatively easy to fix. Flappers can be swapped on and off without tools. Floats can be adjusted with a screwdriver. Levers typically feature plastic hardware that won’t corrode, so they’re easy to service. If you need to swap parts, you may need to shut off the supply valve, but most repairs are straightforward.
