Do you keep hearing the annoying sounds of a constantly-running toilet? Leaky toilets are a common household issue and one you can likely troubleshoot yourself. Learn from our certified plumbers what might be the underlying issues and the best way to fix them so you can put an end to the sound and waste of running water.
STEP 1: DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE: FILL VALVE OR FLAPPER
First, let’s help you determine if the leak is being caused by your fill valve or your flapper. Lift up your tank lid and take a look inside. Can you locate the overflow tube? That’s the cylinder that’s about an inch in diameter and it’s opposite the side of the apparatus with the handle.
If the water is not rising near or above the overflow tube, look to see if the water level is rising near or above it (the ideal water level is about an inch below the overflow pipe). If not, there could be a problem with the flapper seal.
–Is the flapper chain kinked or stuck on the lever? If so, the flapper can’t fully seal to fill the tank, and the toilet will keep running. Straighten the chain and see if your toilet will fill to the normal level and stop running.
–Is the flapper chain hanging properly with just a tiny bit of slack? If so, there could be tear or bump in the flapper, causing a poor seal. Skip to Step 2: Changing a Toilet flapper.
If the water is rising above the overflow tube you could have an issue with your float cup. This is the black cup-like structure that sits just below the handle and lever.
–Is the float cup sticking?
–Does the float cup need adjusting? Look for the knob just above the float cup. This knob determines the amount of water needed to ‘fill’ the tank, which then causes the float cup to rise.
If the float cup seems fine, it’s likely you’ll need to replace the fill valve assembly. Skip to Step 3: Replacing a Fill Valve Assembly.
STEP 2: CHANGING A TOILET FLAPPER
- Turn off the water feeding into your toilet. The knob will be somewhere near the base of the toilet, rising from the floor or out of the wall.
- Flush the toilet and hold onto the handle to drain most of the water from the tank. Remove the chain from the flush lever and then disconnect the flapper (often this rubber seal is red) from the two pegs stemming from the overflow tube. Now that you’ve got your flapper, bring it with you to the hardware store to make sure your new flapper is the right size.
- Wipe the base of the area where the flapper sits in the toilet to ensure a good seal once it’s attached. Now you’ll install it in reverse: attach the flapper to the overflow tube pegs, connect the chain to the flush lever and turn your water supply back on.
If a worn flapper was the issue, you should be back in business and able to forget all about that constantly running toilet.
Our friends at HGTV have a great demo video for fixing a running toilet.
STEP 3: REPLACING A FILL VALVE ASSEMBLY
Failing fill valve assemblies are another common cause of toilets that keep running. This step, however, requires some know-how and we strongly recommend that you get a certified technician to handle the job to help ensure it’s done right.
Toilet and water leaks are best addressed early, so if you notice your toilet is constantly running and it’s not the flapper, a trusted professional can diagnose and perform repairs.
From running toilets to clogged drains and so much more, Tap 2 Drain Plumbing ensures your household plumbing and heating systems are running smoothly. Serving the Lower Mainland since 2007, our customers appreciate our responsive, expert care and reasonable rates. Get a quote and book your appointment!