Your toilet might be running for a variety of reasons, none of which are pleasant.
Don’t worry, though!
It is possible to fix a running toilet with a little patience and some simple tools you most likely have on hand in the home.
This guide will help you diagnose and repair the issue just like a plumber!
Six reasons why your toilet keeps running
Below are the six most common reasons for a running toilet in the home.
1. You may have a stuck toilet handle
It’s important to first check the toilet handle. If that is the problem, this will be the most straightforward to fix.
You will have a constantly running toilet if the handle is stuck. You need to have enough water in your toilet tank so it flushes out the bowl when you flush.
There are a variety of things that could go wrong if the handle on your toilet is jammed.
- The water will continue to fill the toilet until it overflows.
- The toilet will not flush completely.
- Toilet handle could be stuck in flush position. This can cause water to flow down, but not back up.
You will need to locate the handle rod/lever attached to your toilet tank to fix the jammed handle. Gently move the lever up and down a couple of times to try and unstick it.
If that doesn’t work you might have to replace the handle.
How to replace your toilet handle
- Turn off the water supply line near your toilet. The shutoff valve is usually located under or behind it. The pipe will likely be visible on one end of the valve. If so, turn counterclockwise all the way.
- Next, flush the toilet. This will drain any water from your tank, and release the pressure on the handle rod.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the handle from the toilet tank.
- Replace the toilet handle by buying a brand new one. You can find replacement parts for toilets at your local plumbing or home improvement store. They should be inexpensive to purchase.
2. Your home’s water pressure could be too high
You might find that you have a fill valve assembly that is stuck open. This is common in older homes. Your toilet tank can quickly fill due to high water pressure coming from the city’s water supply.
If this is the cause of your problem, you can either reduce your water pressure by calling your local water authority or install a pressure-reducing toilet valve.
The toilet pressure-reducing valve can make your toilet flush faster and reduce the water consumption per flush. This will not only help you solve the running toilet issue but could reduce your monthly water bill.
3. Your toilet float may be set too high
This is a leading cause for a running toilet. Before calling a plumber, make sure you check the float yourself. Replacing a small part yourself can save you hundreds in labor and parts.
The toilet float allows the toilet to know its water capacity. If set too high you will have a running toilet.
Carefully lift off the tank lid and look for the float ball. You will know the float is too high if the toilet keeps running and the float is either all the way up or just a little above the water level.
Simply adjust the float ball height if this is the problem. There should be an adjustment screw to adjust the height. If so, turn it to lower the float deeper into the tank.
Flush the toilet to check if it is still working after you have flushed. Re-adjust your float if the toilet still runs.
If your toilet still runs after you have adjusted the float in several positions, then it is time to move onto the next step toward diagnosing the problem.
4. You might have a worn out flapper that need to be replaced
The toilet flapper controls the water flow in the toilet tank and is part of the flush valve assembly. The toilet flapper seals after you flush the toilet and stops water coming back up from the drain or toilet bowl.
If the flapper stops closing completely due to age, it may be time for a replacement. Flappers, made mostly of rubber or plastic, can wear over time due to friction and may need replacement after about 5 to 8 years.
You can check if your flapper has become worn by removing it from the toilet tank and looking for any cracks, tears, or stretches. Replacing a worn flapper will quickly solve a running toilet problem.
Go to the local home improvement store and pick up a brand new flapper. Flappers come in all shapes and sizes so be sure to bring your old flapper along to compare.
5. Your toilet refill tube may need to be resized
The toilet’s fill valve tube tells the toilet overflow tube how much water to put into the toilet bowl. It can cause a toilet to run continuously if it is too short or long.
Replacing the fill tube may fix your running toilet.
To determine if the size of your toilet’s refill tube is correct you will need to measure the height of the toilet tank and the length of the refill tube using a ruler.
Measure the top and bottom of your toilet tank. The toilet refilling tube should be measured from the top of the toilet tank to where it touches the bowl. It must then reach the same height as the bowl.
If they are not the same, it is time to get a new refill tube.
You can remove the lid from the toilet tank to access the refill tube. You can then remove the refill tube and replace it with one of the correct size.
You can cut your tube to the right length and reinstall it by yourself if it is too long.
6. Your toilet may have a blockage
A toilet relies on gravity to rid the waste. If you have a blockage, the toilet will continue to flush water into the bowl in an attempt to remove the obstruction.
You can try to unclog the toilet with a toilet plunger if you think you have a blockage. You can also try a pluming snake.
Toilet keeps running after trying the above?
Your problem could be more serious than you thought. It may be time to call a professional plumber. At America’s Service Plumber, toilets are our specialty. Give us a call!
