Have you ever heard the sound of a toilet continuously running and felt a sense of frustration and anxiety? A toilet that won’t stop running can be a nuisance and a waste of water. But don’t worry, there are several causes and fixes for this problem.
To stop a continuously running toilet, try adjusting the flapper valve or fill valve, unclogging the toilet, replacing worn-out seals, or adjusting the float. If these steps don’t solve the problem, you may need to call a professional plumber.
This article will explore why a toilet might keep running and provide solutions for each. With this in mind, let’s get started.
Toilet Keep Running: Causes and Fixes
If you’re dealing with a toilet that won’t stop running, it can be a major inconvenience and a waste of water.
In this section, we’ll explore the various causes of a continuously running toilet and provide solutions for each one.
Whether it’s an issue with the flapper valve, the fill valve, or something else, we’ve got you covered.
1. Flapper Valve Issue
The flapper valve is a rubber seal located on the floor of your toilet tank and helps control the water flow from the tank to the bowl.
Flushing the toilet causes the flapper valve to open, allowing water into the bowl, then closing to stop the flow.
The toilet will continue to run if the flapper valve is not working properly.
There are several possible causes for flapper valve failure. It may be:
- Worn out: If so, you’ll need to replace it entirely.
- Misaligned: You may be able to adjust it back into alignment.
- Damage: Again, it’s best to replace it.
- Dirty: In this case, you can use a soft sponge and some gentle household cleaner to remove the dirt.
2. Fill Valve Issue
The fill valve is a mechanism inside the toilet tank that controls water flow into the tank.
It consists of a valve and a float, which is a small ball or cylinder that rises and falls with the water level.
If the fill valve is not working correctly, the toilet will continue to run.
There are several possible causes for fill valve failure.
Debris in the valve can stop it from closing correctly, and a malfunctioning float or a faulty valve can also cause problems.
If you’re experiencing a fill valve issue, you can try cleaning the valve, adjusting the float, or replacing the valve to fix the issue.
Purchase a new float and install it following the manufacturer’s instructions if the existing one isn’t working.
Replacing a Flapper Valve
If your toilet’s flapper valve is not functioning correctly, you may need to replace it.
Here are some detailed steps for replacing a flapper valve:
- Shut off your toilet’s water supply. You can do this by shutting off the valve located behind the toilet or by turning off the main water supply to your home.
- Remove the water in the tank by flushing the toilet.
- Remove the old flapper valve. You’ll need to remove the flush handle and the chain that connects it to the flapper valve. Then, you can lift the flapper valve out of the tank.
- Put the new flapper valve in place. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the new one. Ensure the flapper valve is aligned correctly and the chain is the correct length.
- Reinstate the toilet’s water supply. Test the newly-installed flapper valve by flushing the toilet.
Adjusting the Float
If your toilet’s fill valve needs to be fixed, you may need to adjust the float.
Here are some detailed steps for changing the float:
- Shut off the water supply to your toilet. You can do this by shutting off the valve located behind the toilet or by turning off the main water supply to your home.
- Remove the water in the tank by flushing the toilet.
- Locate the fill valve and the float. The fill valve is a mechanism inside the toilet tank that controls water flow into the tank. The float is a small ball or cylinder that rises and falls with the water level.
- Adjust the float according to the manufacturer’s instructions. You may need to move the float up or down, or you may need to adjust the float arm.
- Turn the water supply back on and flush the toilet to test the adjusted float.
Other Potential Causes
There are plenty of other reasons a toilet won’t stop running, and we’ll go over a few more in this section.
Many things can cause your toilet to run continuously, from clogged toilets to worn-out seals. It could be caused by these things:
- Clogged toilet: This common problem can cause a toilet to run continuously. To fix it, you’ll need to use a plunger, a toilet auger, or a chemical cleaner.
- Worn-out seals: Over time, the seals in your toilet can wear out and cause problems. You’ll need to replace the worn-out seals to fix this issue.
- Leaky toilet tank: If your toilet tank is leaking, it can cause your toilet to run continuously. To fix this issue, you’ll need to replace the tank bolts and the tank-to-bowl gasket or tighten the bolts.
- Improperly installed toilet: If your toilet isn’t installed correctly, it could cause many problems. To ensure your toilet is properly installed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and seek help from a professional if necessary.
- Water pressure issues: High or low water pressure can affect the performance of your toilet. To fix this issue, you’ll need to adjust the water pressure.
- Damaged water supply line: If the water supply line to your toilet is damaged, it can cause your toilet to run continuously. You’ll need to replace the damaged water supply line to fix this issue.
- Age of the toilet: Older toilets are more prone to running issues. If your toilet is getting older, consider replacing it.
- Incorrectly adjusted float: A poorly adjusted float can cause your toilet to run continuously. To fix this issue, you’ll need to adjust the float according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Professional vs. DIY Repairs
If your toilet won’t stop running, you may wonder whether you should call a professional plumber or attempt the repair yourself.
Before deciding, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of both approaches.
Pros of Calling a Professional Plumber
- Expertise: A professional plumber has the training, knowledge, and experience to diagnose and fix toilet issues quickly and effectively. They can identify the root cause of the problem and choose the best solution.
- Efficiency: A professional plumber can usually complete the repair quicker than a DIYer, which means you’ll get your toilet back in working order faster.
- Safety: Some toilet repairs can be dangerous or challenging for the average DIYer. In this case, a professional plumber has the equipment and expertise to handle these repairs safely.
- Warranty: Many professional plumbers offer a warranty on their work, which means you’ll be covered if something goes wrong after the repair.
Cons of Calling a Professional Plumber
- Cost: Hiring a professional plumber can be more expensive than repairing yourself.
- Time: You may need to wait for a professional plumber to schedule a visit.
Pros of DIY Repairs
- Cost: Repairing yourself can save money compared to hiring a professional plumber.
- Pride: A sense of accomplishment comes with completing a DIY repair.
- Knowledge: By tackling the repair yourself, you’ll gain knowledge and skills that you can use in the future.
Cons of DIY repairs
- Time: DIY repairs can be time-consuming, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the repair process.
- Expertise: If you’re not experienced in plumbing, you may need to gain the knowledge or skills to diagnose and fix the problem. This could lead to additional issues or costly mistakes, too.
- Safety: Some toilet repairs can be dangerous for a DIYer, especially if unfamiliar with the proper safety protocols.
- Warranty: If you repair yourself, you won’t receive a professional guarantee.
Depending on your particular situation, you might want to call a plumber or fix it yourself.
You might be able to fix it yourself if you’re comfortable with it and have the right tools.
But call a plumber if you’re not confident in your abilities or the repair is complicated.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve explored what causes a toilet to keep running and how to fix it.
From flapper valve issues to fill valve issues, we’ve covered many potential issues and steps to resolve them.
Furthermore, we’ve discussed additional causes and fixes, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of professional versus DIY repairs.
In conclusion, we hope this article has provided you with all the information and guidance you need to fix your toilet.
You should remember that if your toilet is constantly running, it can create many inconveniences and waste a great deal of water.
Therefore, it’s extremely important to address it as soon as possible.
Irrespective of whether you decide to take on the repair yourself or seek the help of a professional plumber, it’s necessary that you correctly diagnose the problem and choose the best solution for it quickly.
Cheers, tools owners!
