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I've pretty much fixed up my bathroom since moving in. The last bit of annoyance now is this:

Not every time, but every 10 or so flushes, my toilet will run continually. It'll sound like it's water is filling up for about two minutes, then stop for five minutes, then sound like it's filling up again... on repeat. To stop it, I have to go back in and jiggle the handle.

One time I took the lid off the top of the toilet and it looked like it was slowly losing water from the top (or whatever it's called).

Any idea on how to fix this?

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3 Answers 3

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I would first try to replace the flapper, it may be old and worn and not creating a proper seal. If that does not work try replacing the ballcock (float valve), as these too can become old and worn and not function properly.

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    If you use one of those 1000 Flushes in-tank cleaners, it can eat away at the rubber and cause the flapper to leak.
    – spoulson
    Jul 26, 2010 at 12:25
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    If you read the package for one of those in-tank tablets, it usually says to only be put in toilets that are flushed regularly. If the water sits in the tank, it gets time to eat at the rubber. (That said, I had to replace the flap in a toilet that WAS flushed regularly, so I don't use them anymore.)
    – myron-semack
    Jul 27, 2010 at 16:04
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If the water is leaking from the top, then you probably have the shut off level too high (the level set where the float eventually rises and shuts off the flow of water into the toilet tank). Then the water can continue to "leak" out and eventually it might trigger the tank to start filling again (on windy days you might see it happen more as the wind blows and moves the water in the toilet and tank). You should be able to adjust the arm that attaches to the float so that the shut off happens and the level of water is below the top of the "tube" (not sure what that is called).

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I have also found that buildup of minerals or iron by-product can foul up the mechanism that lets the float detect the water level. I have a lot of crud in my water because I'm on a well. Harmless, but smelly. So I have to take apart the toilet mechanism about every month or two and scrub it all out.

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