A toilet that won't stop running is not only annoying, but also potentially expensive. The good news is that, in most cases, you don't have to be a licensed plumber to make the appropriate repairs on your own. If you would like to learn more about fixing a running toilet, keep reading. This article will present two of the most likely solutions.

Try adjusting your float valve.

The amount of water that flows into your toilet's tank is determined by the setting of the toilet float valve. When the float is set low, the result will invariably be a weak flush. On the other end of the spectrum, if the float is too high, water will overflow the lip of the overflow tube. The result of this is a toilet that sounds as if it is constantly running.

Start by taking the lid off and flushing the toilet. Watch the tank as it refills. Is the water coming right up to the top of the overflow tube? If so, you'll have to lower the float level. This operation is conducted in different ways, depending on what type of float valve your toilet is equipped with.

There are two principal types of float valves: ballcock floats and cylinder floats. Ballcock floats consist of a long metal rod with a plastic ball--the ballcock--at one end. At the opposite end from the ballcock you should see a screw. Rotating this in a counterclockwise direction will lower the float level.

Cylinder floats, on the other hand, must be adjusted using a spring clip located atop the float. Pinching the spring together will allow you to raise or lower a metal rod that controls the float level. You're going to want to lower the rod--this will allow less water into the tank. 

Take a closer look at your fill tube.

Running between the fill valve and the overflow tube is the fill tube. This flexible plastic hose has the important job of sending water down the overflow tube, refilling the bowl again each time you flush.

The only problem is that the fill tube often comes unattached from the lip of the overflow tube. When this happens, no water will make it into the toilet bowl--and hence the toilet will just keep running and running.

Be sure that the fill tube's metal clip is firmly attached to the overflow tube. Not only that, but be sure that the water coming out of the fill tube is making it into the overflow tube--and not back into the tank. Make adjustments as needed and you should be good to go!

If the toilet itself is the problem, consider a toilet rental from local providers, such as Action Toilet Rentals, for a trial run at the ideal toilet.