Toilet leak – flapper vs bad ball cock?

Looking for a shortcut to getting this drip fixed. Through a process of elimination we’ve determined that our main bathroom toilet is leaking. You never hear the tank calling for water like when you flush so would this be from a deteriorated flapper or a tired ball cock or am I completely off base?

Any help would be greatly appreciated….

Thanks,
Kurt

Could be Either one.. best practice is to change them both…problem solved

Just dont forget to clean off the flapper seat, it can build up with deteriorated rubber from the old flapper.

Learn to love the Fluidmaster 400C Get the whole kit for about $10.00 and you will have everything you need and a few spares.

Thanks, Jeff! I wasn’t sure if it was obviously one or the other and seeing how I’m plumbing illiterate I thought I’d ask. I’ll grab both and hopefully the drip is done. Kurt

Chubby – will that fit a Kohler from 1981?

Thanks and good luck in the new year! Kurt

Is the water in the tank above the overflow pipe, if not its probably the flapper. I woudl start there. Yes, the Fluidmaster kit will fit a 1981 Kohler.

bad ball cock!!!

Hmmm, perhaps the dirty flapper gave you a bad ball cock. Oh, good stuff.

Why do I have visions of Bevis and Butt-Head after the last 2 posts?

If the tank is leaking into the bowl then it will call for water. If it is the ball cock water valve the water level in the tank will rise until it flows into the overflow stand pipe. If it is the flapper, the water level will lower if you shut off the water supply to the toilet. So if you shut off the water supply and the water level in the tank stays the same it is the ball cock valve. If the water level drops it is the flapper. All this assumes it is leaking into the bowl, not onto the floor.

What if the fill tube is below the tank water level

Change them both and be done with it

Quote:

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Is the water in the tank above the overflow pipe, if not its probably the flapper. I woudl start there. Yes, the Fluidmaster kit will fit a 1981 Kohler.

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Fluidmaster installed and no more drip. Thanks for taking the time to pass on your good knowledge! Nothing better than paying it forward.

ball cock – yeah, funny name combination…

For future reference there is a round, black diaphragm seal underneath the black plastic top cap of the Fluidmaster Ballcock. It will wear over time and eventually need to be replaced, usually at a time when the store is out of stock….I think its part number 242.
Shut off water to tank. Twist the black cap a 1/8 to 1/4 turn and lift off cap. Replace diaphragm, reinstall cap and turn on water.