A running toilet is a very common problem that everyone has run into at some point whether you are a home owner or a renter. When you flush your toilet, the entire process should only take a few seconds, and it’s relatively quick and easy and shouldn’t require any additional steps.
However, if you are noticing the flushing cycle taking longer than usual, making a funny noise, or some combination of the two, you are likely experiencing a “running toilet”.
When you hear the term “running” this means that the tank that refills with water after the toilet is flushed, is taking longer to refill than normal to refill and is not sealing correctly. This causes the pump to run longer than normal (the sound you are hearing) and it usually means a waste of water.
If you find yourself in this predicament, you may think your only option is to call in a professional. While this might be the easiest option, you can save some money by finding and fixing the issue yourself, and it’s not as complicated as you might think.
In this article, we’re going to explore five reasons why your toilet may be running and how you can fix the situation. Knowing this information will help you save money because you won’t have to call out a plumber every time an issue comes up.
5 Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Running
There are 5 possible reasons why your toilet keeps running:
- Issues with the flapper
- Issues with the float
- Issues with the water level
- Issues with the fill valve
- Issues with the refill tube
Below, we’re going to take a closer look at each of these.
Issues with the Flapper
When you have issues with your toilet running, the most common problem- and the easiest fix- is the flapper. The flapper is constructed to keep water from getting into the tank after flushing, and they slide into the bowl, allowing water to flow in. The accumulated water must be evacuated before the flapper can reseal the tank to return to its original position.
It’s easy to check for a faulty flapper. Turn off the water supply and then drain the toilet. This will allow you to inspect the flapper. At this time, you can also check the length of the chain to see if it needs to be adjusted.
Another potential flapper-related issue is an accumulation of debris on the flapper. You may also need to replace it if there is damage. Try cleaning the flapper before you put it back on the fixture.
Issues with the Float
The second thing to check when you have a toilet that won’t stop running is the float. This is another common issue. Sometimes, the float may get caught up in the chain, which reduces the functionality. You can confirm this by shaking the tank and listening for water sloshing within. You will know you have a clogged float if you can hear the water splashing around.
Issues with the Water Level
The third potential issue to check when your toilet won’t stop running is the overflow tube, which is the tube that connects the bowl to the tank. This is where water in the tank keeps flowing when the water level is high. If you want to stop the water flow, you must lower the float.
You need to adjust the screw located at the top of the fill valve on the float ball. Just use a screwdriver and back the screw out part of the way. If you have a float cup valve, turn the screw in the same direction to lower the height of the float. Then, flush the toilet and refill it 1-inch below the overflow tube’s upper portion to ensure that the tank is full.
Issues with the Fill Valve
The fourth possible reason your toilet won’t stop running is the fill valve. This is easy to fix. Turn off the water supply and drain the tank. Then, you need to locate the fill valve. This will help you find the lock nut that attaches the fill valve to the toilet.
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Then, use an adjustable wrench to turn the lock nut counter-clockwise. This will loosen the nut to remove the fill valve assembly.
Once you remove it, take a trip to your local hardware store to find an appropriate replacement. Once you’ve purchased your replacement, take it home and install it on your tank. To reinstall the valve, you’ll tighten the lock nut in a clockwise direction.
Issues with the Refill Tube
Finally, the fifth reason your toilet may not stop running could be issued with the refill tube. There are two possible reasons the refill tube keeps pumping water into the bowl: it may be too long or positioned incorrectly.
This is also an easy fix. Hold the refill tube directly above the overflow and attach the belt ends on the right side of the overflow tube.
Video Example
If reading through this process wasn’t enough, here is a super helpful video explanation of this overall process.
Conclusion
It can be quite frustrating if you have a toilet that won’t stop running. If you don’t know anything about toilets, it can be confusing, and you might feel like your only option is to call in a professional plumber. However, that is not the case. The truth is, a toilet that won’t stop running is not that complicated to fix.
Keep these five reasons in mind, and you’ll find that you can easily fix it yourself instead of having to call in a professional. This will save you money and give you peace of mind when it happens again in the future that you can easily stop the water from flowing and get back to the regular flush that only takes a few seconds.
A running toilet can be quite frustrating- hopefully, this article has helped you understand why your toilet might be running and what you can do to fix it.
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