Fix a running toilet

A new fill valve and flapper stop the hiss and the phantom refills. The parts fit in a pocket.

How many toilets?

toilets

Shut it off first

Shut off the water at the valve behind the toilet and flush to check it is really off before you undo anything under the tank. Call a licensed plumber if the valve will not close, the valve or pipe is corroded, or it still leaks after tightening.

What to buy — untick anything you have

Plumbing

1 Universal toilet fill valveAny adjustable-height universal fill valve.
1 Toilet flapperMatch the size of the drain hole in the tank: 2 in or 3 in. A photo of the old flapper helps.
1 Braided toilet supply line, 3/8 in

Tools — already ticked off, since most people have them

Tools

1 Adjustable wrench· most people have this
1 Sponge and bucket· most people have this
1 pair of rubber gloves· most people have this

It lands in the shopping form, where you can edit anything and say what you think each thing costs. Nothing is ordered until you send it.

How it goes · about an hour · some experience

Shut off the valve behind the toilet, flush, and sponge the last of the water out of the tank.
Disconnect the supply line under the tank, undo the nut holding the old fill valve, and lift it out.
Set the new fill valve to the height its instructions give, tighten it hand-tight plus a quarter turn, and connect the new supply line.
Unhook the old flapper from the overflow tube, clip the new one on, and set the chain with just a little slack.
Turn the water on slowly, let it fill, and adjust the float so the water stops about an inch below the top of the overflow tube.

Something else

Build a raised garden bed Mulch a flower bed Paint a room Put up garage shelving Fix a patchy lawn Build a fire pit Mount a TV on the wall Cookout for a crowd

Feeding people instead? The recipe book works the same way — pick a meal, say how many, every ingredient lands on the list.