When you see your toilet running continuously, even without pressing the button or pulling the handle, it can be frustrating. It wastes water, increases your utility bill, and causes severe irritation to your ears with that water running noise without breaks.
Therefore, as a homeowner, you must be keen to know how to fix a running toilet. Also, it’s better to know the reasons for running toilets as it makes repairing easier.
A toilet may run continuously because of a faulty flapper, floating issue, inappropriate chain placement, and even mineral development. So, you have to be ready for different toilet repair methods, depending on which part of the toilet is causing the water to run without any stops. And we will guide you with the running toilet fixation technique in today’s article. Learn more
Why Do A Toilet Run Continuously?
When you see a continuously leaking toilet, you may wonder what’s the cause of it. Its flapper may have worn out, or its fill valves may stop working. So, you should identify the reasons for a water-wasting toilet first.
Faulty Flapper:
The flapper is a rubber or plastic valve at the bottom of the tank. The flapper is responsible for sealing the toilet tank properly. So, if it doesn’t close properly after flushing, water will continuously leak from the tank to the bowl.
Float Issues:
The float inside the toilet tank regulates the water level. It has to be at a perfect level to keep the water level at an optimum stage too. However, it may sometimes need to be adjusted correctly or get damaged. As it happens, the faulty float can cause the toilet to run continuously.
Fill Valve Problems:
While the float controls the water level, the fill valve controls the water flow into the tank after you flush it. So, water will flow continuously into the tank when the fill valve starts malfunctioning. And with a continuous supply of water into the tank, the toilet becomes leaky.
Sediment Build-up:
Over time, sediment and mineral deposits might accumulate in the tank. It happens if you last cleaned the toilet a long time ago. Once the sediment build-up is too much, it will affect the proper functioning of various toilet components.
Therefore, the fill valve, flapper, or float part will not work correctly and cause the water to run and leak through the toilet. Read more
Chain Length or Flapper Chain Problems:
At times, plumbers may adjust the flapper chain. So, the connection of the flush handle to the flapper might become inaccurate. When it happens, it will prevent the flapper from closing completely, which means water will always run through to cause leaks.
How to Fix a Running Toilet:
Are you annoyed with the running toilet and want to fix it ASAP? Well, follow our steps and fix the leaky toilet at once.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
First, remove the tank lid and observe the components as you flush the toilet. It will help you know which part of the toilet tank is causing the leaks. You need to look for:
- Any water leakage
- Irregularities in the flushing mechanism
- Issues with the flapper, float, fill valve, or chain.
Step 2: Turn off the Water Supply
After identifying the reasons for a leaky toilet, locate the water supply valve. It is usually on the wall behind or near the toilet. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply to the toilet.
Also, you should flush the toilet once to drain the tank completely.
Step 3: Check and Adjust the Flapper
Now, carefully inspect the flapper for any signs of damage. Sometimes, it may be misaligned. So, you must adjust it to ensure it seats properly over the flush valve.
If the flapper is worn out, you should immediately replace it with a compatible one.
Step 4: Inspect the Float and Fill the Valve
Next, you should examine the float for any cracks or misalignment.
- For a ball float, gently bend the float arm to adjust the water level.
- For a newer float cup design, adjust the screw or clip to set the desired water level.
- If the fill valve is faulty, replace it entirely.
Step 5: Clean the Tank
You should also clean the toilet tank to stop leakage. So, remove sediment, debris, or mineral build-up from the tank with a sponge or cloth. As you clean the toilet tank, pay special attention to the flush valve and other internal components and clean them correctly.
Step 6: Check the Flapper Chain
Lastly, you must ensure that the flapper chain has just enough slack. It is crucial to let the flapper close entirely but not too much. Or it will get tangled or caught under the flapper.
After you have made the necessary adjustments to the toilet parts, turn the water valve on. Also, flush and inspect the toilet to see if it still leaks.
Conclusion:
A running toilet is a common household issue that often causes headaches to homeowners. Thankfully, you can fix the leaky toilet at home quickly. The key is to keep the toilet tank clean and adjust its fill valve, flapper, and chain with proper alignment.
Also, if your toilet is too old, you must replace the worn-out flapper or chain to stop it from running continuously.
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