Toilets have very few actual working parts, and some even come with the parts pre-installed. Basic things that can go wrong during installation are water leaks and constantly running water. Troubleshooting is often a matter of tightening your connections and areas that are sealed. You will need the same tools that you used to install your toilet.
Flapper
Your flapper is a round rubber seal that covers the drain hole inside of your tank. When you press your toilet handle the flapper rises up and allows water from the tank to drain which in turn drains the water from your bowl. The flapper will go back down as water is returned to the tank. Water will constantly run into the bowl if the flapper is not completely sealing the drain. Check the chain that is attached to the top of the flapper and the end of the toilet handle inside of the tank. If the chain is too tight the flapper cannot go all the way down.
Water Line
The water line is attached from the wall to the underneath side of the tank. If your water line is not properly threaded to the water inlet or if it is not tight enough water will leak from the tank. Check the connection to see if it is loose. If the connection is loose tighten it more.
Tank Bolts
Tank bolts keep your tank secured to the bowl. Washers are slid over the bolts before they are slid through the bolt holes in the tank and the bolt holes on the bowl. If you do not tighten the bolts enough the tank will leak. It may seem at first that you have tightened the bolts enough, but after a few days the washers will seat themselves or begin to flatten out. When this occurs the bolts will no longer be tight enough.
Floor Bolts
Floor bolts hold your toilet in place and keep your toilet from rocking. A loose toilet can cause the toilet to leak from underneath. The wax ring will not seal if the toilet is too loose. Sit on the toilet and lean to the left and to the right. Your toilet is not tight enough if it moves. Tighten the floor bolts until wax actually oozes from the bolt holes. Be careful not to tighten the bolts too much or you will crack the bowl. The bolts should only be tight enough to keep your toilet from moving.
Wax Ring
A wax ring seals the drain on the underneath side of the bowl around the flange or drain hole in the floor. If your wax ring is not thick enough it will not seal when the toilet is set down on the floor. The only way to tell is to take the toilet back up. Shut off the water supply and drain the toilet. Remove the floor bolts and lift the toilet up. If the wax ring is not compressed the toilet did not seal. You can purchase a jumbo wax ring at your home remodeling center.
Tips
Most toilets come with wax rings when you purchase them. It is best to go ahead and purchase the jumbo ring and use it instead of the ring that comes with the toilet.
Make sure that your toilet is level before you tighten the bolts to the floor. A toilet that is not level can also be a source for leaks.
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