We all know the dreaded feeling – when you flush your toilet and suddenly, it doesn’t stop running. It isn’t clogged, but that noise just keeps going. If you don’t figure out a way to stop it, you know your water bill may see a jump soon.
Running toilets are not a new issue; this has something that has happened for years. Toilets, however, have not changed much in the last one hundred years, so thankfully we have figured out the common fixes for these issues. Fixing a running toilet is usually a quick and easy procedure, and White’s Plumbing can help walk you through the steps.
Check the Flapper
Your toilet flapper is a small rubber circle that sits at the bottom of the toilet tank. It is usually attached to the overflow tube and also has a chain attached to it. When the chain moves, it moves the flapper upwards to let water out of the tank, subsequently flushing the toilet.
However, when the flapper does not sit correctly in its spot, this may cause issues with the toilet running. If the flapper is not completely covering the hole that it sits in, it will allow water to continuously leak out of the toilet tank, and therefore keep running. This may be because the flapper simply wore out over time. Luckily, this is an easy fix:
Replace the Flapper
- First, you will want to shut off the water supply to your toilet. Once you do this, you will flush the toilet so that the water will drain out of the tank. Now you have access to the tank without any water in the way.
- Next, you will see a horizontal lever that seems to connect to the handle of the toilet – the flush handle lever. From this, there is the chain dangling down that connects to the flapper. Remove the chain from the flush handle lever.
- From here, you will replace the actual flapper. Depending on the design of the flapper, it should either have pegs that attach to the sides of the flush valve tube, or you will need to cut the old one off and slide the new one on.
- After you place the flapper, you will connect its new chain. Make sure that when the handle is not touched, the chain has a little bit of slack to it. Otherwise, if the chain is too tight, the flapper may not sit correctly.
- Now you may turn the water supply back on to your toilet. Flush the toilet a few times to test the new flapper, and you are good to go!
Check Water Level Adjustment
The tube your flapper usually connects to is called the overflow tube. This tube keeps the water in your toilet tank from rising too high. Across from this is the fill valve, which tells your toilet how much water to put into the tank.
If your toilet continuously runs and the issue is not the flapper, chances are the water level in the tank is too high. The water will flow into the overflow tube and then down into the toilet bowl itself. Usually, the overflow tube has a mark on it that designates the water level line. You will simply need to lower the water level to this mark.
Lowering the Water Level
- The fill valve has what is called a float. This is what will actually adjust the water level in the tank. On newer toilets, this will look like a rod that stands up and down. It attaches to the fill valve.
- Loosen the screw or clip, then move the rod down to lower the water level.
- You will want the water level to be about one inch below the overfill tube, if you cannot see a designated line.
- Make sure that the water level is where you would like it to be, then tighten the screw or clip again.
- Flush your toilet to make sure everything has adjusted correctly.
Faulty or Worn-Out Fill Valve
If your toilet won’t stop running and the problem isn’t the flapper or the water level, the issue might be a faulty or worn-out fill valve. The fill valve controls the water flow into the toilet tank. When the toilet is flushed, the fill valve allows water to flow into the tank until it reaches the desired level. If the fill valve is damaged, it may not shut off properly, leading to a continuously running toilet.
How to Identify a Faulty Fill Valve
A fill valve that is malfunctioning can cause a number of issues. If you hear water running constantly or notice that the water in your toilet tank is overflowing into the overflow tube, it’s a sign that the fill valve isn’t working correctly. The fill valve could be stuck in the “on” position, allowing water to keep flowing into the tank even after it’s full.
Fixing or Replacing the Fill Valve
To fix this issue, first, turn off the water supply to the toilet. Flush the toilet to drain the water from the tank. Then, inspect the fill valve for any signs of damage, such as cracks or wear. Sometimes, the problem can be fixed by cleaning the fill valve to remove any debris or buildup that may be blocking it.
If cleaning the fill valve doesn’t fix the issue, you may need to replace it. Remove the old fill valve by disconnecting the water supply line and unscrewing it from the bottom of the tank. Install the new fill valve according to the manufacturer’s instructions, reconnect the water supply line, and turn the water back on. Flush the toilet a few times to make sure the new valve is working correctly.
Float Ball or Float Cup Malfunction
Another potential reason your toilet won’t stop running is a malfunctioning float ball or float cup. The float is responsible for regulating the water level in the tank. As the tank fills with water, the float rises and signals the fill valve to shut off once the water reaches the correct level. If the float isn’t working properly, it may cause the fill valve to remain open, leading to a constantly running toilet.
Float Ball vs. Float Cup
Older toilets typically have a float ball, which is a large ball attached to a metal rod. Newer toilets often use a float cup, which is a small cylinder that moves up and down the fill valve shaft. Both types of floats serve the same purpose, but they can malfunction in different ways.
A float ball can get stuck or become waterlogged, preventing it from rising properly. A float cup, on the other hand, may get caught on the fill valve or become misaligned.
How to Fix a Malfunctioning Float
To fix a float ball or float cup issue, start by turning off the water supply and flushing the toilet to drain the tank. If the float ball is stuck or misaligned, gently bend the metal rod to ensure the float moves freely. If the ball is waterlogged, you will need to replace it.
For float cup issues, make sure the float cup is not caught on any part of the fill valve. Adjust the float cup by sliding it up or down the fill valve to set the correct water level. After making adjustments, turn the water back on and test the toilet by flushing it several times to ensure the float is functioning properly.
Leaky or Damaged Tank-to-Bowl Gasket
A leaky or damaged tank-to-bowl gasket can also cause a toilet to continuously run. This gasket is located between the toilet tank and the bowl and helps create a watertight seal. If the gasket is damaged or worn out, it may allow water to leak from the tank into the bowl, causing the toilet to keep refilling itself.
Signs of a Leaky Gasket
If you notice water pooling around the base of the toilet or hear the sound of water constantly running, the tank-to-bowl gasket may be the culprit. You may also notice that the water level in the tank drops slowly even when the toilet hasn’t been flushed, which forces the fill valve to refill the tank more often than it should.
How to Replace the Tank-to-Bowl Gasket
To replace the tank-to-bowl gasket, start by turning off the water supply and flushing the toilet to drain the tank. Then, use a wrench to disconnect the water supply line from the bottom of the tank. Carefully unscrew the bolts that secure the tank to the bowl and lift the tank off the bowl.
Once the tank is removed, you’ll see the gasket that seals the connection between the tank and the bowl. Remove the old gasket and replace it with a new one, making sure it fits snugly. Reattach the tank to the bowl by securing the bolts, reconnect the water supply line, and turn the water back on. Test the toilet to make sure the gasket is sealing properly and that the running water issue is resolved.
Contact White’s Plumbing
The flapper and the water level in the tank are two of the biggest reasons why a toilet may continuously run. While these seem like pretty easy fixes, things can sometimes go wrong. For example, when replacing the flapper, the overflow tube may potentially break if you are not careful. This will lead to a bigger problem.
If you are not comfortable diagnosing the problem or fixing it yourself, White’s Plumbing is here to help. If you are in the Youngsville, North Carolina area, and are having an issue with a running toilet, we are happy to come and see what is going on for you. Feel free to contact us today, and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
