You know what your toilet should sound like. That constant or intermittent trickling or hissing sound is not it. However, perhaps you just wrote that off as an annoyance and something that can be put off with few repercussions.
If that is an accurate assessment of your state of mind, you should reconsider. Even though a running toilet may not cost much money or waste much water in a day, those costs will add up fast as time passes.
Quick Takeaways
- Your toilet’s flapper, float or fill valve is most likely what is causing the issue.
- A significant amount of water, potentially 200 gallons a day, may be wasted.
- In many cases, all that you need to do is a simple DIY fix to rectify this issue.
- Running toilets can cause wear-and-tear issues related to their components.
- Professional toilet repair can handle both simple and complicated issues and prevent this issue from recurring.
9 Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Running
1. The Flapper Is Worn Out
The flapper is the rubber seal that sits at the bottom of the tank and opens when the handle is used. This is what controls how much water goes into the bowl. However, it can get worn out, which can lead to leaks.
2. The Fill Valve Is Failing
The fill valve is what sends water into the tank for storage until it is needed when a flush occurs. However, one that is failing can result in water continuing to go into the tank even when there is more than is needed there.
3. The Float Is Set Too High
The float, which can be a ball, cup or cylinder, measures the tank’s water level, and, when it is full, shuts off the fill valve. However, when it is set too high, too much water per flush is used. In some cases, water could even go into the overflow tube.
4. The Flush Chain Is Too Short or Too Long
The flush chain connects the flush handle with the flapper. When it is too short, it will keep the flapper lifted with water going continuously into the bowl. When it is too long, it can get tangled, which can also keep the flapper from closing.
5. The Overflow Tube Is Causing Problems
The overflow tube can cause a toilet to run as well. This can happen if there is a crack in it, particularly if that is below the water line, resulting in tank water continuously entering the tube. Also, a crack near its base can cause excess water to enter the bowl.
6. Mineral Buildup Is Affecting Tank Components
Mineral buildup, oftentimes involving calcium and magnesium, can affect one or more of these parts. For example, it can keep a flapper from having a perfect seal, and it can allow water to escape through a flush valve.
7. The Flush Handle Is Sticking
If the flush handle is sticking, whether through corrosion, worn parts or issues with the chain, it can cause a toilet to run. This is the result of the tank leaking too much water into the bowl and that lost tank water being continuously replaced.
8. The Tank Seal Has Failed
If the tank seal has failed, water may be entering the bowl from the tank on a continuous or intermittent basis. In fact, this could even result in tank water escaping the toilet itself and spilling onto the floor.
9. Your Toilet Is Reaching the End of Its Lifespan
If your toilet has been in use for years, particularly if it has been decades, it may simply be reaching the end of its lifespan. In other words, it may be running not because of one simple-to-repair issue but because it is suffering from several issues.
How Much Water Can a Running Toilet Waste?
The amount of water that any given running toilet can waste varies considerably, but a good ballpark figure to keep in mind is 200 gallons a day, which is a little more than a 10th of a gallon a minute as well as 6,000 gallons a month and 70,000 gallons a year. That could easily cost you hundreds of dollars on an annual basis.
And it does not take much for the leak to be considerably more significant than that.
How to Stop a Running Toilet
There are several ways that you can stop a running toilet without consulting the services of a professional.
For example, if the chain is tangled, in many cases, you can simply untangle it on your own. Meanwhile, if the float is set too high, you may be able to gently adjust it yourself. Or if your flapper or fill valve is worn out, buying a new one and replacing it can be an easy, few-minutes DIY project.
When to Call a Plumber for a Running Toilet
In some cases, fixing a running toilet might not be suitable as a DIY project. Here are the most common scenarios in which you may want to call a plumber:
- Even after new parts have been installed, the toilet is still running.
- The tank will not fill as it should despite numerous attempted fixes.
- Multiple components have failed, indicating that it is a significant project to fix it.
- Your water bills are much higher than they used to be, and you do not know why.
- The toilet is old and has needed more and more repairs lately.
FAQ
Why does my toilet keep running after I flush?
Usually, a toilet keeps running after being flushed if water is leaking from the tank into the bowl or elsewhere.
Is a running toilet considered a plumbing emergency?
A running toilet is normally not considered a plumbing emergency unless it is causing a considerable amount of water to spill outside of the toilet.
Can I fix a running toilet myself?
You can fix a running toilet yourself in many cases as numerous fixes are relatively easy DIY projects that can be completed in just a few minutes.
Should I repair or replace a running toilet?
Whether you should repair or replace a running toilet depends on the specifics of your situation, but if your toilet is nearing the end of its lifespan or otherwise experiencing numerous issues, you may want to replace it. However, in most situations, repairing it is recommended.
Stop the Running Water Before It Runs Up Your Bill
Is your toilet running? Stop that running water before it runs up your bill. Regardless of the cause, whether it is the flush handle, flush chain, float, flapper, fill valve or something else, getting it fixed will save you money and will help you stop unnecessarily wasting water.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is proud to have its punctual plumbers regularly help those in the Birmingham, AL, area who have been suffering from running toilets and other toilet-related issues. If you would like to speak to us about what is going on with your toilet, contact us today.