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Water fills in the toilet tank after you flush. So, it can be rather unsettling to hear your toilet tank constantly running, even if you didn’t flush the toilet bowl recently. You might even lose some sleep wondering about all those wasted water and what are the common causes for it or if experts strongly advise you to shut off the water and call them already. And in worst-case scenarios, you might even start believing there could be other problems in your plumbing system waiting to be discovered and may need a local plumber.
Rather than assuming the cause of a constantly running toilet, you can look into it yourself without a help from your local plumber and stop running water from affecting your water bill. You can check the float arm, float ball, toilet flapper, flush valve and more. So put on a pair of rubber gloves to deal with the problem of a running toilet on your own if you don’t want the water bills to skyrocket. To fix a running toilet, you only need a few basic tools, such as cutting and water-pump pliers. Let’s stop your toilet from running anymore.
To help you with your quest to fix the toilet, we have prepared a step-by-step guide. So, without further ado, let’s jump in!
it’s not too much to want to know more about the plumbing problems you’re facing before dealing with them or calling in an expert plumber. And running toilets can be one of the many plumbing issues you have. Understanding a toilet not functioning properly is not over the top. And so, We’ve listed below a list of steps to help you and make it easier for you to know and understand what could be wrong with your toilet, and maybe prepare yourself to replace it with a new one.
If you find water running in your toilet, the problem resides within the tank. Toilets use a float to measure the amount of water stored in a tank. When there’s a certain drop in the water level, the fill valve connected to the water line refills the tank. And a malfunctioning float, valve or flapper causes the water line to run continually.
So, check out the fill valve for issues. Then, examine the fill tube that runs from the fill valve on the tank’s left side to the overflow tube’s right. The overflow tube stops water from overflowing into the tank and spilling on the bathroom floor. Ensure the fill tube’s tightly attached to the fill valve and water is flowing from the valve to the overflow tube without any interruption. The fill tube also shouldn’t extend into the pipe; if it does, trim it accordingly.
A float is a cup-shaped plastic part on the fill valve that “notifies” the valve about the correct water level or water supply line in a tank. If the float is set too high, water keeps flowing through the overflow tube, and the flapper stays open if it’s set too low.
Adjust the float level using the attached clip, rod or screw until the proper water level is restored, which is usually marked on the inside of the overflow tube or tank.
The exterior handle of the toilet is connected to the flush rod that’s kept within the tank. it’s a plastic piece attached to a chain leading to a flapper.
If the chain is too short, it doesn’t allow the flapper to close and seal, and water leaks into the bowl. But if it’s too long, it might not allow the flapper to stay open to let the water out. Although this won’t cause a running bowl, it won’t allow the tank to refill.
At the same time, make sure that the chain has enough slack to open the flapper and that the flush rod does not strike the inside of the tank lid when flushed.
The flapper is a seal that moves when you operate the flush handle, letting water in and out. But it can be a primary source of a running toilet, as water can start leaking from the tank if it malfunctions. In hindsight, it causes the water line to keep running to make up for the dropping water level within the tank.
While other toilet parts can be examined without emptying the tank, inspecting the flapper necessitates draining the water. The shut-off valve shut down the water flowing inside the tank by making a few turns on the right. This will keep it from refilling, as there would be no connection to the water source.
Sponge off the remaining water in the tank and then examine the flapper. If there’s a crack in the rubber seal or it doesn’t fit properly, it’s worn out and needs replacement.
The process is pretty simple. Remove the flapper and look for an exact replacement in your local hardware store. Or you can use a universal flapper that fits most toilets. Just unclip the old flapper from the overflow tube, flush the rod chain and replace it with a new one.
If you’ve followed all the steps mentioned above and the toilet is still running, there’s a significant problem in your entire flush system. The best thing here is to replace the flapper, fill valve and the other accompanying parts. You can buy a universal flush repair kit available in most hardware stores and follow the installation instructions.
However, you should remove the flapper properly by disconnecting the tank from the toilet and making a tight seal between the water line and fill valve. And above all, always shut down the water line before starting your plumbing work.
Waiting when you’re ready to deal with the problem or postponing checking it will only worsen the issue. it’s better to stop a toilet running now than later. We hope these steps will help you fix your running toilet problem. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before taking up the job. When replacing the flapper or float, make sure you flush the toilet thoroughly to prevent it from overflowing. Also, exercise caution when using tools such as cutting pliers and water-pump pliers to avoid injury.
But if the problem persists or you aren’t sure about your DIY skills and want a new toilet installed, then it’s a job best left to the professionals. Turn off the water supply if the toilet continues to flush excess water, don’t waste hours trying to solve things on your own, and invest on an expert plumber. Save money and time! For excellent workmanship with upfront pricing, reach out to the plumbing experts from the Gold Coast Plumbing Company. We’ll be at your doorstep in no time! Contact us today!
On that note, we’ll wrap up. Goodbye and take care!
