Another toilet question

[Minelson]

My toilet "runs" for a few seconds every once in a while. Like every few hours. Does this mean that there is a leak? How would I fix it ?

[Bearfootfarm]

Your "flapper" is leaking.
The first thing I would try is cleaning it and the pipe it covers.
Next would be to replace it if it's worn

[watcher]

Bearfoot hit it but just in case you don't know a flapper from a ballcock. . .The flapper it the thing that moves up when you push the flush handle. Shut the water off, flush the toilet then take a rag and wipe around where it sets. If that doesn't fix it they you'll need to replace it.

To be honest with you unless I knew how old the works were I'd get a kit and replace the entire works. Its not that much work and the kits aren't that expensive. They start at around $10.

[fishhead]

If it wasn't leaking it would overflow. I put a few ounces of toilet bowl cleaner in my tank once and a while to clean the slime off everything.

[Minelson]

I guess I need to replace it. I cleaned it and it made it worse.

[fishhead]

Sometimes the chains get kinks in them and prevent the flapper from lying flat and making the seal.

[Bearfootfarm]

Try cleaning it with fine steel wool, and adjusting the bracket to make sure it's absolutely FLAT on the pipe

[deb]

Also check the water level to see if it is set too high. If someone has set the float too high, then water from the tank will go into the overflow tube periodically.

deb
in wi