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I have a American Standard Champion 4 toilet that is about 8 months old. It flushes fine. but it intermittently runs. It will run in few second bursts then stop. It will go for a while without running then run again in few second bursts. What do you think is the problem and how can I fix it?
HelloCustomer
Welcome to Just Answer.
Sorry to hear about your problem.
When your toilet runs, the water is actually leaking down the drain of the toilet. It will usually run due to a defective flapper. The toilet leaks out of the tank and into the bowl and when the water leaves the tank, the water comes on and is continuously trying to keep the tank full. The bowl will only hold so much water until it begins to drain out of the trap. So new water is continuously filling the tank while the bowl is emptying it down the drain. This cycle is wasting water and you may notice an increase in your water bill, if it is not corrected.
You need to look in the tank by taking off the top cover, to see if the chain to the flapper is either caught on something, or more likely the flapper may be old or waterlogged and should be replaced. The flapper or flapper opening can also form deposits that will allow water to leak by, which will cause the water to run. Check for this and clean around the opening. Replacing the flapper (flush valve) is a very easy job to do.
Watch the short video below to learn more.
Also, verify that the water is not filling the tank too high and going into the overflow pipe.
If you need further help or clarification on this answer, please do not hesitate to reply to this post.
Thanks for asking your question at Just Answer.
Best of Luck, Brian
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This is a new water saver toilet that I have had 8 months. I regret not just replacing the parts in the old toilet. Oh well live and learn. The flush valve and flapper is different than the typical ones I have seen on other toilets. It is 4 1/2 inches wide. Which is wider than most flush valves I have seen. Not only is there a chain on top of the flapper which lifts it up, there is a chain on the bottom which connects the flapper to the flush valve. This makes it more complicated because you can't just simply remove the flapper like on most toilets. Otherwise it would probably be a simple fix. Since it's all connected do you think I will need to replace the entire flush valve and is this hard to do? Also the current flush valve raises the valve several inches from the bottom of the tank so when you flush the toilet there is several inches of water not used which is kind on anoying. Do you think I will be stuck purchasing one exactly like it from American Standard since it is wider than typical flush valves that I have seen in other toilets. Or do you think I would be able to buy a different one which would solve the problem of several inches of unused water. I ask this because I am more concerned with a toilet that works good than I am saving a little bit of water since I live in a region of the country where water is plentiful.thanks
It is normal for the tank to not empty all of the way, when it is flushed. If the toilet is only 8 months old, everything should be in good shape; I don't understand. I wouldn't expect to see a bad flapper and you shouldn't need a new one. I would just verify that it is aligned with the hole properly and that the lower chain is not getting in the way; it sounds like it is not sitting correctly.
Experience: Extensive knowledge of installation and plumbing codes.