Is your toilet constantly running? No, that’s not normal. After you flush, your toilet should run long enough to refill the bowl with fresh water. If you find it takes longer to fill or you need to “jiggle” the handle, you have a bigger problem on your hands. Not only is a running toilet wasteful, but it may be the first warning you get before your toilet overflows. Here’s why you can’t get your toilet to stop running.
Boo! It’s a Ghost…or a Loose Flapper
Did a mysterious ghost flush your toilet while you were in the other room? No, you probably don’t have an unwelcome visitor from another dimension. In most instances, a worn-out flapper is to blame. Open the tank of your toilet. Do you see that round, flat piece that covers the base? That’s known as the flapper. When you push the handle, the flapper opens to release water from the tank to the bowl. Under normal circumstances, the flapper then seals the hole, and the toilet stops running.
However, flappers wear out. If you live in a home for long enough, you’ll end up replacing this part at least once or twice in the life of your toilet. It’s a simple repair and should keep your toilet from running around the clock…and it will also keep ghost flushes at bay.
But What About the Chain?
Now, if you looked for the flapper, you probably also noticed a chain inside the tank. This dangling part is also a key component of your toilet. It attaches to both the handle and the flapper. When you flush, the handle pulls the chain, which lifts the flapper. So, if your flapper appears to be working, take a look at the chain.
If the chain is floating around the tank, you need to reconnect it to the flapper. There is usually a small hook at the end of the chain that secures it in place. If the hook breaks, you should replace the chain.
It’s Not You – It’s the Fill Valve
In addition, issues with your fill valve will leave you with a toilet that never stops running. Before you rush out and buy a new toilet, try taking a closer look at the fill valve. This part monitors how full the tank fills after each flush. You can adjust the water level yourself, although most manufacturers indicate the ideal setting for each toilet.
If the setting is too low, the tank will never fill up, and your toilet will always run. On the flip side, if you set the level too high, your toilet will most likely overflow, and that’s a surprise no one wants to discover. Before you play with fire – or water – and try to mess with the fill valve, it’s better to have a plumber adjust it for you.
Don’t Leave a Constantly Running Toilet to Chance
Running toilets may seem benign, but in actuality, they may lead to even bigger problems. The longer you ignore a running toilet, the more money you’ll end up flushing away. Water waste is real, and you’ll see a considerable increase in your monthly usage.
The plumbers at Armor Plumbing will put a stop to your toilet woes. No matter how simple or dire the situation may seem, it’s no match for our team! Why is your toilet constantly running? Connect with us to diagnose and resolve the situation quickly.