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If you're wondering why your toilet keeps running, you're in the right place. In this brief article, we're going to explain the causes of a running toilet and what you can do to fix the problem.
A running toilet is not only a nuisance, but can be costly, depending on the cause. The EPA estimates that water leaks on average can waste 180 gallons per week. But if your toilet is constantly running, then your water waste could be much more significant.
So, let's get to the bottom of why your toilet keeps running.
Worn Out Toilet Flapper
One of the most common reasons your toilet keeps running is due to a worn out toilet flapper. The toilet flapper creates a seal between the tank and the bowl of your toilet. However, it's very common for the flapper to warp and get worn out over time causing your toilet to keep running.
The good news is that a toilet flapper can be purchased for under $15 and are relatively easy to fix by yourself. The amount of water wasted from a worn out toilet flapper is also minimal, but it's still something you'll want to fix.
The Flapper Chain Needs Adjusting
Another cause of a running toilet related to the flapper is the chain that connects the handle of your toilet to the flapper.
If the chain is too short, the chain won't allow the flapper to go low enough to make a proper seal between the tank and the bowl. This will cause your toilet to run constantly and can lead to a lot of wasted water.
If the chain is too long, the chain will sometimes get stuck under the flapper getting in between the flapper and the base of the tank. If you notice that jiggling the handle of your toilet causes the running to stop, then your chain may be too long.
Again, this is an easy fix that simply requires adjusting the length of the flapper chain.
The Float Is Too High
Your toilet has a mechanism called a float. The job of the float is to shut off the flow of water once the water level inside your tank reaches a certain height. However, if the water level rises too high, it will spill into the overflow tube.
A problem occurs when the float is too high. Specifically, the float is too high to cut off the water before it reaches the overflow tube. This causes your water to run continuously, wasting a lot of water. If your toilet keeps running because of the float being too high, simply adjust the height of the float so that it cuts off the water before the water level reaches the overflow tube.
Handle Is Stuck
One additional reason your toilet keeps running can be due to a stuck toilet handle. Not all handles fit correctly. Overtightening the handle can cause it to get stuck in place when the toilet is flushed.
A stuck handle can easily be fixed by loosening the handle enough for it to move freely without getting suck.
More Than Just A Running Toilet?
It's relatively easy to fix a toilet that keeps on running. However, if you notice water leaking around the base of your toilet or your toilet keeps getting clogged, then you may benefit from having a professional plumber inspect your toilet.
We have a team of licensed orlando plumbers who are friendly and more than capable of helping you solve any problem you're experiencing with your toilet. We also offer a plumbing inspection that includes a toilet dye test, which will reveal if your toilet is leaking.
Give us a call today at (877) 416-4727 to get your running toilet fixed today!