I hate to shell out the money for a plumber, because I thought this problem was pretty simple to fix...I just can't remember how to do it.

We're at the point of turning off the water to the toilet between use so it doesn't run. Then turning it back on to fill the tank, then flush, then wait for the tank to fill, and stop the water by lifting the arm-thingy, then turning the water off again. It's a pain.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks

When we've had that problem, it related to the little chain thing not falling where it was supposed to (real technical explanation, huh?). Have you checked to see that the little 'cover' at the bottom of the chain is closing all the way?

Hey Mama,
As the earlier reply said check the flapper "the little rubber thing" it has to seal properly to make the water stop running. If it is not sealing go to home depot and you can pick one up for about $3. If that is not the problem check the pipe that is in the back of the tank..the one with the ball/float on it and make sure it is moving and working properly. If not thae whole assembley is easy to replace and costs less than $10. Hope this helps :)

lesse, there's the 'jiggle the handle' approach
the 'put a brick in the tank' approach

and then messing with all the assorted pieces in the back of the tank approach....

We have a toilet with cheap plastic innards, it's broken twice in less than a year (different pieces). I got the landlord to get the parts and I did the work myself. I think toilets are pretty easy to do, but I've lived so many cheap apts I've dealt with them a lot. If what the mamas besides me isn't enough, just find a time-life or readers digest or whatever do it yourself books from the library. I've fixed amazing things using those!

hth mama! That's gotta be a pain! For a long time you had to flush by pulling a string then holding the string long enough to make sure it 'sucked' back down (ie, the string was too heavy for the flap to pull on its own but if you cut it wouldn't reach out the handle hole) :p

jess