We have all been there. You flush the toilet and walk away. Ten minutes later, you can still hear water running. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but a constantly running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water and quietly inflate your utility bills. Here is a look at what causes this common issue in your home.
What Causes a Running Toilet?
A running toilet is the result of something going wrong inside the tank. These internal components work together to flush and refill the bowl. The whole system can act up when one piece fails or falls out of alignment.
Here are a few of the most common issues.
Worn or Misaligned Flapper
This is the rubber valve at the bottom of the tank. It lifts when you flush and then drops to seal the tank. Over time, flappers can become warped, brittle, or misaligned. When this happens, the water keeps leaking into the bowl, causing the toilet to run.
Float Set Too High or Low
The float tells the tank when to stop filling with water. If it is too high, water will spill into the overflow tube. If it is too low, the tank never fills. Either way, the toilet keeps running.
Fill Valve Issues
The fill valve controls how much water enters the tank after each flush. When this part becomes worn, clogged with sediment, or misaligned, it can fail to shut off properly. This keeps the water flowing into the tank even when it is full, creating a constant refill cycle.
Chain or Handle Problems
The chain inside the tank connects the flush handle to the flapper and needs to move freely to work correctly. If the chain is too short, too long, or tangled, it interferes with the flapper’s ability to seal. As a result, water continues leaking into the bowl because the flapper cannot settle into place.
Cracks or Seal Failures
Toilets rely on tight seals at key connection points. This can be between the tank and bowl, the base, and the water inlet. Water can slowly escape if any of these seals degrade or if the porcelain develops small cracks. These structural issues often develop gradually and may not be immediately visible without closer inspection.
How Much Water Is Going Down the Drain?
Not only is this annoying, but it can also cost you a lot of money. A small trickle can add up to 200 gallons or more a day. That is over 6,000 gallons a month. This is more water than most families use for laundry and showers combined.
In serious situations, you could waste up to 4,000 gallons daily. However, that will depend on the flow rate and severity of the leak. This is more than just spending money on your bills; it is also a major environmental concern.
Can I Fix It Myself?
What looks like an easy fix can quickly turn into a frustrating, messy, and time-consuming project. Toilets consist of several small parts that all work together just right. If one piece is off, it can throw everything out of balance. Sometimes, it is not just one part that is the problem. You could have a combination of small issues.
You might think you only need to replace a single part, but that may not fix the problem. Sometimes, that makes it worse when parts do not fit properly or are installed incorrectly. A running toilet can turn into a leaky one or might not even flush at all.
Skip the stress and call a plumber. They know how to pinpoint the issue. A professional plumber has the right tools and can fix it correctly the first time. You get fast, reliable service from a team that cares about doing the job right.
At North Brothers Plumbing, we know how frustrating it is to deal with a toilet that will not stop running in Monrovia, CA. Since 2003, we have offered our customers fast, friendly, and reliable plumbing services, including toilet repair and installation. Whether you need a quick fix or a full replacement of worn-out parts, our experienced team will show up on time, diagnose the issue, and get everything working again without hassle. If you have any plumbing issues in your home, call North Brothers Plumbing today.
