Adjusting the Water Level of a Toilet

Anyone who has ever had a running toilet knows just how annoying it can be. It is almost as annoying as those high water bills that can result from a running toilet, or from simply having a bunch of kids in your home. Whatever the reason, by simply and correctly adjusting the water level of toilet, you can not only lower your water bill, you can also keep your toilet from running. Here's what you need to do.

• Check the current water level. Remove the top from off of the toilet. This will allow you to access the interior of the toilet, and begin to make your changes. When you first look into the toilet tank, take a moment to check what your current water level is at. The water level should never be above the overflow pipe. If it is, then you are going to run the risk of having a "running" toilet.
• Determine your desired level. Decide where you will want to have your water level at, and place a mark there. This mark can be placed on the outside of the toilet, since it may be a little difficult (and not to mention wet) if you put it on the inside of the toilet. One way that you can make this mark is by using a piece of black electrical tape, or even using a grease pencil.
• Bend the ball cock. After you have made your mark, go ahead and bend the ball cock to about the level of the mark. To do this, you don't actually bend the ball cock (the floating thing) in the tank. Rather, you bend the arm that is attached to it. Be careful as you do this so that you can avoid breaking the arm. Bend the arm until the ball cock is at roughly the same level as the mark that you made.
• Test your work. Once you have bent the arm to the ball cock, it is time to check your adjustment. Simply flush the toilet, and wait for the tank to refill. It should refill only to the level where you have bent the arm too. If the water level is still not to your desired level, repeat the process until you have the desired results.