Why Your Toilet Keeps Running and How to Fix It
Common Causes of a Running Toilet There are two main reasons why your toilet won’t stop running:
- Water is seeping from the tank into the bowl.
- The fill tube is putting too much water into the tank, triggering the overflow tube.
Both issues can usually be resolved with some quick adjustments to the flapper, float, or tubes.
Quick Fixes You Can Do at Home
You might be surprised how easy it is to stop a running toilet yourself—no need to leave the house or mess around too much. Here’s what you can try:
- Adjust the Flapper: The flapper is a plastic cup at the bottom of the tank that lifts when you flush, letting water flow from the tank into the bowl. If the flapper isn’t sealing properly, water leaks into the bowl, forcing the toilet to keep refilling. To fix this, turn off the water supply, remove the flapper, clean it thoroughly, and put it back. Make sure it fits snugly over the hole. If the leak persists, it might be time to replace the flapper.
- Adjust the Flapper Chain: The flapper chain connects the flapper to the toilet handle. The flapper cannot be sealed properly if the chain length is off. Watch how the chain lifts the flapper after removing the tank cover and flushing. Adjust the chain length by moving the hook on the handle up to shorten it or down to lengthen it.
- Adjust the Float :The float controls the water level in the tank. It’s either a ball float connected by an arm or a cup float around the fill valve. If the float’s position is off, the fill valve may add too much water, causing overflow. Adjust the float by turning the adjustment screw on the fill valve arm with pliers—counterclockwise lowers the float, and clockwise raises it.
- Check the Fill Tube: This small plastic tube should always be above the water level in the tank. If it’s underwater, adjust it by bending it upward or trimming it to the right length. As long as it stays above the water line and reaches between the fill and refill valves, it should function correctly.
See also: Understanding the Lifespan of Your Septic System
When to Call the Experts
If you’ve tried all the above adjustments and your toilet still runs, it might be time to call in professionals from Drain Express for local gas water heater repair. They can pinpoint the exact cause and fix your running toilet efficiently, saving you water and frustration. Don’t hesitate to reach out for expert help!