Fix a running toilet yourself
HelpingHands lets you speak with an experienced helper through a live 10, 20, or 30-minute video call. Open the cistern and show them inside, and they'll help you work out whether it's the flapper, the float or the fill valve letting water through — and how to swap the right part so the toilet stops running.
When online help for a running toilet is useful
A toilet that keeps running long after a flush, water constantly trickling into the bowl, a cistern that won't stop filling, or a hiss that never quite stops. If you can lift the lid and show the inside of the cistern, a helper can help you spot the culprit.
What you can show or ask during a video call
"Is it the flapper, the float or the fill valve?" "Why does water keep trickling into the bowl?" "Which replacement part fits this cistern?" "How do I set the water level right?" Show the inside of the cistern on camera and a helper helps you name the part before you buy it.
What HelpingHands does and does not do
It does: help you find why the toilet runs, tell the flapper, float and fill valve apart, isolate the water, and walk you through fitting the new part. It does not: send a plumber to your home, or replace an on-site professional when it's a cracked cistern, a leak at the pan, or hidden pipework behind a concealed unit.
How pricing works
You book by session length — 10, 20, or 30 minutes — and see the price before you confirm. No call-out fee, because there is no call-out.
How to book a helper
Download HelpingHands, describe what your toilet is doing and what kind of cistern you have, and choose a helper. You'll be connected on a video call where you can show the inside of the cistern and get guided through the fix, from shut-off valve to final flush test.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I fix a running toilet myself with online help?
- Yes. A helper guides you over video to find which part is worn, choose the right replacement, and fit it — while you do the work.
- Does HelpingHands send someone to my house?
- No. HelpingHands is video-only. Helpers guide you during a live video call.
- Which part is making my toilet run?
- Usually the flapper, the float or the fill valve. Show the inside of the cistern to your helper and they'll help you tell which one is worn so you buy the right replacement.
- What if it's a crack or a leak, not a worn part?
- If the cistern is cracked, or water leaks where the pan meets the floor, a helper will tell you honestly it's worth an on-site professional rather than a new valve.
Get help in minutes
Download HelpingHands and book a short video call with a helper who can talk you through it.