What could cause a toilet to keep running?

Question

I have an American Standard toiled my wife bought last year & I installed. I don't know much about plumbing but I was at least able to install this toilet & it seems to function OK, except for what I think is a mechanical problem.

Sometimes when the toilet is flushed, the flapper doesn't close & water keeps running. The handle feels like it's slightly stuck in the up position. I looked inside the tank once when it was doing this, & the chain attached to the handle was slack, so I don't understand why the flapper isn't closing. I've tried putting more slack in the chain and loosening the plastic nut that holds the handle on the toilet, but it doesn't seem to be helping. What else can I do to fix this?

Answer 1

Check for any debris around the flapper and its hinges. It is the flapper moving back to the original closed position that puts the handle back in the correct position, not the handle that moves the flapper (when closing, obviously when you flush the handle opens the flapper). You have the right idea with adjusting the chain to ensure there is always slack.

There are usually a couple positions for the chain to attach on the handle itself - try a different position.

If all else fails, try replacing the flapper.

Answer 2

Many American Standard toilets use a specialized flapper valve:

These are a bit less forgiving than other valves. There is a chamber that fills with water and holds the valve open until that chamber drains through a hole near the bottom. Make sure that hole is clear.

The pivot pins and the retaining flanges are also rigid plastic and need to be clear.

Sometimes the problem is as simple as the chain getting hung up on another mechanism in the bowl, such as the float valve or one of its parts. Usually you can shift that valve to one side or the other, or you can bend the handle extension that holds the chain to avoid entanglement.