Okay guys, I'm a women first of all and secondly I'm single, no man to help me and this is my first home repair. My toilet water is constantly running. I looked at the guts and nothing looked weird. The flapper seems fine. Any advice as what to do. I don't want to dish out money for a plumber if I don't have to.

 

If the flapper is not leaking then your float is stuck. Its really simple to replace the guts in the tank. You can get a kit for $10 or less and it will have easy instructions.

Its better to just install the full kit than to try to fix individual parts.

 

The flapper may look good but still be seeping.Have you tried to handle it? If residue comes off onto your hands it needs to be replaced.It is also possible the lip that the flapper rests on has either a flaw or some build up on it...might check that.As for replacing the "guts" versus fixing it...depends on the brand of the ballcock.Some are easy to fix such as the Fluidmaster (probably the most common ballcock out there) which has one seal that is easily changed.Other more common brands have repair kits available also easy to install.If the ballcock is metal though it's likely old and replacement is probably the better idea even though some metal ballcocks are also repairable.If you do replace the ballcock I strongly recommend replacing the supply tube (pipe or hose that brings the water into the toilet) as old ones almost never reseal properly.If you do replace it the reenforced hose or stainless steel types work best and are easiest to install.

 

Laura Notsure, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
Where is the water going? Into the overflow tube? Into the bowl? Do you have an arm with a ball on the end? If the water is going into the overflow, then it is a fill-valve problem. If it has an arm and ball, there are two screws at the end of the arm. Tighten (turn clockwise) the first screw from the ball end. This should shut the water off. There should be a line inside the tank that indicates the water level. Adjust the screw until the water stops at that level. This should be about 3/4" down from the top of the overflow tube. Make sure the ball is not hanging up on the side of the tank. You may want to install a new fill-valve and get rid of the ball and arm. I would suggest a Fluidmaster 400A fill-valve. About $6 at Home Centers and hardware stores. Comes with great installation instructions. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

I'm not sure where the water is going to. I can hear it leaking but can't tell where the leak is and the constant filling of the camode is driving me crazy. So I guess I'm going to have to replace the whole thing . I hope it's as easy as ya'll make it seem. I'm sure it is! Also I don't have a ball for a floater, it's a black, round thing with a stick in the middle of it I believe. Goes up and down like an elevator.

 

That's the more modern kind. Try wiggling it to possibly temporarily stop the flow. Might be its just stuck.

 

Thats the fill valve. Get the Fluidmaster and it will take less than a half hour to replace.

 

I agree, that's by far the best move. Guaranteed fix and very little work.

 

Laura: before you replace the unit, turn the water off. Remove the gray cap on top of the "elevator" shaft by prying up on it gently. It has 4 catch tabs under it to hold it down. Now, turn the arm assembly counterclockwise slightly until it releases. It will not completely come out as your elevator cup will keep in in the tank. Lay it down inside the tank (don't worry it is clean water). Get a 2 cup measuring cup and invert it over the elevator. Slightly turn the water on and let it run for a few seconds. This will help clear out any trash that may be hitting the rubber diaphragm you just removed. Now replace the arm, turning it clockwise. Don't worry about the cap right now. Turn the water back on and see if it still runs constantly. If it does, replace all the guts. If it doesn't, then you have conquered one more male dominated sector of life. Good luck with it, and post back if we can help further.