Is a Running Toilet a Problem?

Not only is it frustrating when a toilet runs, it is also a huge problem. A running toilet can squander hundreds of gallons of water each day, and lead to issues with your plumbing, floors and walls. A dripping faucet might waste less water, but it can still add up with time and cause damage to septic systems and pipes in your house. So if you’re tired of paying too much for water bills or having to call the plumber out, it’s time to fix your toilet yourself.

How Do You Repair a Toilet that Keeps Running

If you have a leaky or running toilet, there are a number of things you can do to get it repaired. Firstly, switch off the water valves under the sink. Then flush the toilet and look for leaks around the base of the tank or bowl. If no leaks are present, check under your sink for drips coming out of any hoses or connections. If there are no drips or leaks discovered under your sink then it could be possible that there is something wrong with your fill valve assembly inside your tank because if there was absolutely nothing wrong with those hose pipes then your fill valve would not allow excess water into the bowl triggering it to overflow.

What are the Three Top Reasons for a Running Toilet

There are a number of reasons that your toilet might be running. Here are the 3 most common:

1. The float ball is stuck in the up position. This is most typical with toilets that use a float ball to run the fill valve. If the float ball is stuck, it will enable water to fill the tank past its normal level. When the float ball falls back down, it will trigger the refill valve to turn on and fill up the tank. This can lead to an endless cycle of refilling until you repair it.
2. The flapper valve isn’t sealing correctly. The flapper valve lies near the bottom of your toilet tank, where it seals against a rubber gasket when you flush your toilet. With time, this rubber gasket wears out and needs to be replaced with a new one to guarantee proper function again.
3. There’s too much stuff in your bowl! Often people don’t realize how much stuff can get caught in their toilet bowls. This is particularly true if they have young kids or pets who love to play in them! If there’s too much stuff blocking the flow of water through your pipes, then this might cause them to run longer than normal while waiting for water pressure to build enough to push it through.

Here are 4 ways to Stop a Running Toilet Yourself

The list of things that can go wrong with a toilet is long. However there are 4 common issues that you can fix yourself, and they’re all relatively simple to troubleshoot. Here are 4 ways to stop a running toilet yourself.

1. Check the fill tube. The fill tube is the pipe that connects the tank to the bowl. If this is not sealed properly, water will leak into your home. This is usually caused by loose hardware or rusting connections.
2. Inspect the float. The float valve in a toilet controls when water enters the tank and stops flowing into the bowl. If this is not operating adequately, it can cause your toilet to run continuously. Check and clean your float valve regularly to ensure its proper operation.
3. Check the handle. If you have an older style toilet, there may be an issue with worn out parts in your flapper valve system or handle assembly. This can cause it to run constantly when flushed. Fortunately, replacing these parts yourself is relatively easy and affordable! 
4. Check the flapper. A running toilet can be caused by a defective flapper or chain. If the flapper does not seal properly, water will continue to flow out of the tank and into the bowl even though you’ve flushed it. You can easily repair this problem by replacing the flapper with a new one. from your local hardware or plumbing supply store.

Toilet Problems? Don’t Panic, Call A Pro!

If you’re having problems with your toilet or have noticed a leaky faucet, call the professionals at Murray Electric & Plumbing. We provide plumbing service for both residential and commercial properties. Our highly trained technicians are readily available 24 hours a day and can be dispatched to your home or business within minutes of receiving your emergency plumbing service request. Call us today at (918) 835-9605 to learn more about our plumbing services. We are located in Broken Arrow, OK. but service the surrounding areas as well.