Adjusting the Water Level of a Toilet

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated April 20, 2022)

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.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Using a Juicer

Whether you are looking for ways to improve your nutritional intake or you are simply looking for ways to have some ...

Discover More

Identifying and Repairing Soil Problems

One of the keys to a successful garden is being able to identify a potential problem before it becomes a reality. The ...

Discover More

Cleaning Silverstone Cookware

One of the more popular types of nonstick cookware that is currently available goes by the name of Silverstone. If you ...

Discover More

Find the Right Tool Right Away Finally, a homeowner's set that includes all the tools needed to complete basic DIY projects at an affordable price! The tools are stored in a molded case for security and portability. Check out Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit today!

More Home Improvement Tips

Diagnosing Plumbing Pressure Problems

One of the biggest causes for a grumpy morning is the sudden loss of water pressure during a shower. If you find yourself ...

Discover More

Adjusting Water Heater Temperature

Adjusting the temperature of your water heater is as easy as moving the dial of your thermostat. The difficult part is ...

Discover More

Joining Plastic and Metal Plumbing

Learning the proper method of joining plastic and metal plumbing is an important skill that any do-it-yourself enthusiast ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)