We’ve all come across it – a running toilet. Normally, once you flush it again, the toilet stops running. It’s when it continuously runs that you wonder what is going on. Not only is it annoying to hear but it leads to a high water water bill.
There are potential reasons as to why your toilet keeps running. Here are 4 common causes and tips on what you can do before you call an emergency plumber.
4 common reasons for a running toilet
Refill Tube Issues – the refill tube is connected to the water supply and fills up the water in the tank after you flush the toilet. If it isn’t in the right position or is not attached properly, it may cause your toilet to run. Check that the fill tube is firmly attached and the end of the tube is positioned above the water line.
Flush Valve Chain needs adjusting – the chain is responsible for pulling open the flush valve and lets fresh water into the toilet tank as used water flows out. If the chain is too long or too short, it will affect the way the toilet flapper works and cause it to remain open. Check the length of the toilet chain and that it is not caught by the toilet flapper. Adjust it accordingly so it is slightly loose.
Float Ball issues – there is a float ball that sits inside your toilet cistern which is connected to a valve. Once you flush your toilet, the float ball drops. It rises once the tank fills up then closes the valve and shuts off the water. If the float ball and valve are not aligned or is disconnected, water will keep filling up. In this instance, you may have to lower the height of the float and check the float arm is connected properly.
Worn Out Toilet Flapper – the toilet flapper allows water to flow into the toilet bowl and stops the flow as well. It needs to seal completely after you flush the toilet to stop water from leaking. When a toilet flapper gets worn out due to mineral deposits and age, it won’t seal properly and water will continue to run into the bowl. You’ll need to get a new toilet flapper to replace the old one.
How to fix a running toilet
Troubleshooting a running toilet is not a straight forward job. If you keep having issues with your running toilet even after trying out the above solutions then it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Act quickly to prevent the situation from getting out of control and making it more costly and inconvenient for you and your family.
Contact OP Plumbing Services to take a look at your situation and figure what’s wrong. We have years of experience dealing with running toilets. Servicing the Sutherland Shire, St George Basin, Wollongong and Greater Sydney, our emergency plumbers can help fix your running toilet issues. Call 0417 299 820 or contact us for immediate assistance.