Tools and materials
- Waterproof seals or joints, depending on how and where they are going to be used.
- Wrench
- Pliers

The parts of the tank
For rapid solutions to problems that may arise in a toilet tank, you need to know its parts. There is no single model, but they all have basically the same parts. These are the essential ones:
o�Filler valve: through it flows water from the hose that comes from pipe out of the wall. It closes when it reaches the limit set by the floater ball.
o�Floating arm: regulates the levels of water to cut off the filler valve.
o�Siphon: mechanism joined vertically to the drainage hole. It has strong rubber seals to prevent leakage. Activated by a handle, it empties the water. Automatically or by exerting pressure, if the system is a water-saving one, the closing axis of the siphon falls, preventing water from continuing to flow out of the drain.
o�Handle or pressure mechanism, lever or chain, depending on the model. Used to flush the toilet and start water flowing downward from the tank into the bowl.
o�Screws to join the tank and the bowl, if they are in fact joined. Over time they deteriorate, especially the watertight seals, and they must be replaced.

Broken hose
o The hose is the threaded rubber piece that joints the wall pipe with the filler valve. It can break or chip after much use, or by accident. It has to be replaced.
o�Close the main water switch in the house and unscrew the two ends of the hose.
o�Put the new hose in place. It has to be the same size as the previous one and with the right thread size.
o�If the problem is just with the seals, change them.

Leaking tank
o�This may have several causes. But what is clear is that the water keeps flowing in even though the tank seems full. If the floater arm is broken or the ball chipped, depending on the model, it will not close the valve properly. You will have to change it, but may not need to replace the valve.
o�If the floater is a metal bar, it may be a bit off. You can bend it or twist it, depending on the case, so that it exerts the right pressure on the filler valve.
o�There are several kinds of valve. When they wear down they must be replaced. Unscrew it by hand or with a wrench. It has two threaded parts: one outside the wall of the tank and the other inside, always with two watertight seals.
o�In some models problems with the valve are solved by cleaning or changing just the rubber seal that is pressed by the floating arm.

Clogged drains
o�If the problem is not too serious, you can solve it with a makeshift gadget that works like a suction cup. Take a mop stick and attach plastic in the shape of a ball. Press up and down.
o�You can also try a wire, but bend the tip so as not to damage the pipes.
o�There are mechanical plungers for serious problems. The final step would be to replace the outlet that goes to the overall waste pipe of the house. This requires some masonry work.

A few tips
o�Don't use the toilet as a trash bin. Not all kinds of paper dissolve in the same way and they can end u causing problems, especially if there is not a good connection with the main waste pipe or the latter is very old.
o�In all jobs involving the toilet you should drain it and shut off the water. There should be a switch on the water outlet. If there is not, or just to play it safe, turn out the main water switch for the whole house.