How to Fix a Free-Flowing Toilet

7. Adjust the Water Level

If the chain and floater both seem to be functioning but your toilet is still free-flowing, it’s time to check the water level. If the level is too high, water will always be draining into the overflow tube and into the toilet bowl. Turn on the water and wait for the tank to fill. Keep watching to see if water drains into the overflow. If so, you need to lower the float by adjusting the screw at the place where the float arm adjoins the fill valve. Using a screwdriver, loosen the screw a quarter-turn counterclockwise. Flush and check the water level again. It should be 1-1.5 inches below the top of the overflow. Continue turning quarter turns until the level is right.