A Kohler toilet typically runs because some parts have moved out of place over time. Having a toilet that runs frequently is wasteful, so you might be asking how to repair it. The most common toilet problems are a leaky toilet tank, followed by a broken toilet valve or faulty flapper. You must first address the leak and other factors contributing to the Kohler toilet flush issues to remedy this issue.
Use food coloring to identify where the Kohler toilet tank is leaking by adding a few drops to your toilet tank. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes for a leak to reveal the location. If there isn’t one on the toilet tank, it should be the flush tube; in that case, the water is colored in the bowl. Flushing the toilet immediately after use will clean it and refill the water.
In a typical situation, pressing the Kohler toilet handle raises an arm from the tank that pulls on the chain anchoring the flapper valve over the tank’s drain hole. Age or drop-in tank cleansing tablets could cause a flapper valve to wear out, resulting in phantom flushing.
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How to locate the precise issue
The worst indicator of the problem is a rise in your bills. The water sound running in the toilet may also be audible. The next step is to locate the vulnerability, which mostly involves figuring out where it occurs.
Here’s how to resolve the problems.
Step 1
Note the model number of the Kohler toilet. It’s a good practice to keep a record of this even though it might not be required. You must follow this procedure for any home accessory you purchase because it will be simpler to remedy issues down the road. Even though you can still fix the Kohler toilet without having the model number, having it on hand makes many other tasks much simpler. For instance, knowing the model number of the toilet is helpful if you have to change a part.
Depending on the brand you have, getting its model number varies. Older models may make it difficult to locate the model number; however, if you dig around, you’ll find it. For instance, the model number can be seen on the tank slightly above the water level if your appliance is from the post-1990 range.
Step 2
To prevent damaging the lid, take off the tank lid and store it somewhere secure. Drop some dark food coloring inside the tank water after waiting until the toilet stops running. To locate the leak’s source, keep an eye on the area whereby food coloring pours.
Step 3
Inspect your fill tube next. This skinny, flexible tube connects the fill valve to your toilet overflow tube. The tube sprays enough water into the toilet overflow tube during tank refills to replenish the bowl after flushing. You should locate the fill tube after removing the toilet tank lid if the overflow tube is the problem. The toilet bowl won’t fill, and the subsequent flush will be unsuccessful if the tube breaks or the stream of water misses the overflow tube.
To check whether the water stream is going down the overflow tube:
- Flush the toilet and watch it.
- Ensure the tube rests about an inch above the overflow tube’s rim.
- Push forcefully into the fill valve as you reattach the fill tubing.
Step 4
A short or tangled chain prevents the flapper from closing, allowing water to leak into the toilet bowl. Due to this problem, the toilet continues trickling, and the valve cycles on and off to replenish the tank. On the other hand, the flapper cannot be kept open wide enough to allow for a full flush if a lengthy chain or flush rod strikes the tank. As a result, to flush your toilet, you must hold down the lever.
Suppose the food coloring escapes past the flapper; push down on it using the flattened end of a stick while waiting for the toilet to stop running again. Ensure the rod does not hit the lid when you press the lever after flushing the toilet and closing the tank. Adjust your chain and slightly bend the rod if it strikes. Alter your chain length once the toilet ceases flushing, trim any excess chain at the rod, and leave approximately a foot extra to prevent knots.
Step 5
If its flapper valve-a tiny rubber cover over the flush tube that opens when you press the lever-is malfunctioning on the Kohler toilet fill valve, the toilet may not be able to shut off. It may become loose or break earlier than intended because it is the most mobile component and moves up and down constantly.
Some flappers wear rings that slip over the overflow tube or snap ears over the tube after turning off the water, getting rid of the old flapper, and getting a new one. You may find a precise replacement or a generalized flapper in online stores. It would help if you fixed the new flapper to freely open and close. Consider a different replacement; suppose the toilet doesn’t cease running after that. Replace the whole toilet overflow tube if the problem continues.
How can a Kohler toilet stop running by replacing the flapper valve? After turning off the water, flush your toilet.
- Remove the cover to access the tank.
- At the base of the toilet tank, locate the flapper. It is fastened to the overflow pipe’s base.
- Please remove it from the chain that raises it during flushing.
- Get rid of the outdated flapper valve.
- Install the replacement.
Sizes for flappers range from 2″ to 4″. If you are unsure about which flapper to get to replace the old one, you can bring the old one with them, take a picture of it, and present it to the management of a plumber supply store, along with taking measurements using a ruler.
Step 6
To adjust the water height, check the float. An adjustable float controls the water level in your tank. Your tank should have water that is one inch underneath the overflow pipe. Placing the float too high causes water to flood into its fill valve and overflow tube and won’t shut off, whereas one set too low results in a weak flush. By altering the float on its fill valve, you can modify the water level in the tank.
If the food coloring runs down the overflow tube, you can change the height of your toilet’s float by twisting the metal arm, which holds it down or pinching the clip as you slide it down. A minimum of one inch should separate the tank’s water from the overflow tube’s top. To restart the water flow to your toilet, replace your tank lid and turn the handle of the water supply valve against the flow of time.
It would help if you learned how to lift your particular float to adjust the level of the tank’s water. Some floats feature a screw you can turn so that the float is below the water line. Some have hollow plastic balls that you may bend to change the water level at the extremity of the float arms.
Step 7
Inspect the bowl for movement. To guarantee that your toilet operates properly:
- Stop the leak as soon as possible.
- If the water level in the bowl is appropriate, yet the toilet keeps running, check the bowl’s water level.
- Add food coloring to your tank and avoid using the toilet for a few hours if you think there may be a leak but there are no ripples. If the water in the dish takes on the same hue, your suspicions will be proven correct.
Step 8
Your Kohler toilet may be running continuously because of additional fill valve problems. According to Kohler, you may need to replace your valve if water routinely pours into the bowl. Additionally, worn-out fill valves prevent the toilet tank from filling, which weakens the flush. To change the fill valve on a Kohler toilet, follow these steps.
- Place a replacement valve order. Lift the tank and check the color to determine the model you require. You will require GP1083167 if the valve cap is yellow or red or GP1138930 for white or any other color. You require a flow restrictor kit for your valve.
- Flush your toilet after shutting off the water supply.
- Put the bucket beneath the toilet’s fill valve to collect the extra water.
- Cut the supply pipe off.
- Remove the cover to access the tank.
- Remove the mounting nut from the tank’s base.
- Cut the refill hose off.
- Delete the outdated valve.
- Select the flow restrictor from the kit that is the exact color of the old one, then set it up in the same location.
- Use it to make the lock ring fit the new valve’s height.
- Insert the replacement valve once it is matched, then secure it with the anchoring nut from below.
- Reconnect the refill hose to the tank’s valve.
- Switch on the water supply and reattach the supply hose to its valve.
Conclusion
You now understand how to prevent your Kohler toilet from running intermittently, saving you money and time. Even though you might have to put it on hold until your replacement components arrive, it’s still less expensive.