Although having your toilet running is a common plumbing problem, it can waste up to 200 gallons or more of water in one day. That can be about 6,000 gallons of wasted water in one month! This can add a lot to your water bill, so knowing why your toilet is running is essential. Here’s why it could be running, and a few tips on to fix it yourself.
With a running toilet, the water is continuing to flow into the tank and bowl instead of shutting off like it’s supposed to.
Why Your Toilet is Running
With a running toilet, the water is continuing to flow into the tank and bowl instead of shutting off like it’s supposed to. Some of these causes can be:
- The chain is the wrong length. Either from being damaged or twisted, a chain that’s too short won’t allow the flapper to close properly, thus allowing water to leak into the bowl.
- The float isn’t set correctly. If your float is set too high, it won’t shut the valve off in time and water will continue to flow through the top of the overflow tube.
- The flapper isn’t sealing properly. Aging rubber can ruin the seal.
- The fill valve isn’t working. The float may reach the right level but the valve doesn’t shut off for some reason.
- The refill tube is pumping water into the bowl. This can happen if the tube is too long or isn’t positioned properly.
Things You Can Do to Fix it
When it comes to your toilet running, we do advise you to have an expert inspect the situation for you. However, there are a few ways you can fix it yourself, depending on what the reason for the running is. It’s important to note that before you start fixing your toilet, shut off the water first. This will help you fix your toilet efficiently without worrying about any overflowing problems. Here are some things you can do to fix your running toilet:
The Flapper is Leaking
One of the most common reasons for a toilet running is an old flapper that needs to be replaced. When a flapper gets old, the seal doesn’t work as it should. This allows water to pass from the toilet tank into the bowl constantly.
To replace the flapper, remove the old flapper by detaching the chain and taking it off the pins on the side of the overflow tube. Get your new flapper (which can be purchased at the hardware store), reconnect the chain, and attach the sides to the pins.
You Need to Lower the Float
Another very common reason for a toilet running is overflow water leaking into the bowl from the tank via the overflow tube. This usually happens when there’s too much water in the tank. To fix this, you can adjust the water level by adjusting the height of the float. To lower the water in your toilet with a float arm, loosen or tighten the screws until the float arm lowers. If you need to lower the water in a toilet with a column float that’s attached to the fill valve, loosen the screw or clips and pish down the float. Be sure to tighten everything back up again when you lower the float where you want it.
You Have to Shorten the Refill Tube
Another cause for your running toilet could be the refill tube is constantly pumping water into the bowl. As we mentioned above, this happens the tube is too long and isn’t positioned properly in the overflow tube. To shorten, pull the tube out of the overflow and hold it above the opening of the overflow. Trim off part of the tube and clip it to the side of the overflow to keep it in place.
Reliable and professional plumbing services you can trust.
Let City Plumbing Services Fix Your Toilet
If you’re stumped on why your toilet is running or if you encounter a larger problem, call us at City Plumbing Services. We can help fix and repair the problem and can prevent future damage from happening again. Contact us for reliable and professional plumbing services you can trust! We’re located in Cave Creek, but are ready to help those in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Chandler, Surprise, and most of the East Valley of Arizona.
