Toilet problems are frustrating. To make matters worse, when the average person peers inside a toilet tank, they recoil in fright. Not from the water, but from the jumbled assortment of parts and such. While seemingly complex, the working parts of a toilet are somewhat simple. There are really only three main components:

The Fill Valve is the automatic device that allows water to rush into the tank each time the toilet is flushed. A float triggers this action. As soon as the water level in the tanks drops, the float drops and the fill valve opens. Old fashioned fill valves had a cumbersome float ball on an arm. They are still made! They can be tough to adjust and over time the float can become waterlogged. Newer fill valves have sleek designs that disguise the float. The good news is that these fill valves are inexpensive and simple to install.

The fill valve also supplies water to the bowl as the tank refills. It does this via a small flexible water tube that runs from the base of the valve to the top of the overflow tube.

The flapper device controls the flow of water from the tank into the toilet bowl. When operating perfectly, the flapper rises up when you turn the flush handle. It actually stays in the open position for 5 to 10 seconds and then drops back down stopping the flushing action and allowing the water level in the tank to rise again.

Flappers that stick open cause the water to run and run. A flapper may stick because of sand or grit on its hinge. The chain that lifts the flapper may be old and worn out. In any case, they are easy to replace.

The overflow tube is a fixed device in the center of the tank. It serves two functions. After each flush, water flows into this tube to fill the bowl with water as the tank refills. The tube also acts as an emergency water escape route in case the fill valve does not shut off. Water can flow into the tube and down into the bowl until such time as you shut off the water.

Emergency Shutoff!

This has happened to everyone: You flush the toilet and water doesn't leave the bowl. Water starts to creep up the toilet bowl rim! A huge, gross mess is going to happen if you don't stop the flow of the water into the bowl! You can do this if you react quickly. Remove the tank lid and immediately place your hand into the tank and force the flapper valve back down onto the seat. This will stop tank water from entering the bowl. Water may still flow into the bowl from the water supply tubing that feeds into the overflow tube. This is a minor amount of water in most cases, but if you feel the bowl is about to overflow, then pull the little water pipe out of the overflow tube and redirect its flow into the tank. Don't worry about sticking your hand in the tank water. It is pure and fresh! It is the same water you drink each day or use to brush your teeth! The sidewalls of the tank often get stained over time from dissolved minerals in the water. This is why the water appears yucky even though it is fresh.

In fact, if you wake up one day and your local water main has broken leaving you high and dry, you actually do have water! Dip some water from the tank to wash your face or brush your teeth. I know this sounds crazy, but the water is perfectly fine.

Give it a Try

Take the lid off your toilet tank and putter around. See how things work. Try to force the flapper down. Be prepared!