Toilets are something we rarely think about. But once we hear a toilet running we can’t stop thinking about it. It can be annoying, it can keep you up at night, and a running toilet can double your water bill.
So how do you stop a running toilet?
We’ve all experienced the running toilet problem. No, not a toilet with legs that’s trying to run way, but a toilet with water that is leaking or dripping constantly.
Last month I was visiting a friend and I was woken up at night by a running toilet. The next day I asked my friend about the toilet and his answer was “it’s always like that”. I wanted to say “No!” but I didn’t.
Toilets aren’t supposed to run so if you hear a toilet wasting water don’t ignore it, fix it! The reality is that fixing a running toilet is an easy task. In this article we’ll look at 4 ways to stop a toilet from running.
Problems With A Running Toilet
If you’re toilet is running you may have noticed an increase in your water bill. Running toilets may seem like a minor problem but they can cause a water bill to double.
Toilets drain the environment of our most precious natural resource, fresh water. It’s is a dwindling natural resource that needs to be conserved when possible.
If you live in the Western U.S. you’re likely aware of the new regulations for toilets that promote water-wise toilets. In some cases there are even incentives to change your older toilet to a new water conscious toilet.
A running toilet may be bad for your health too. I know I’ve woken up a few times because I’ve hear the toilet running. I’ve also become distracted from household tasks and wondered, “why is the toilet doing that”.
So let’s review the problem with a running toilet:
- Expensive
- Wastes water
- Annoying/Distraction
- Surprisingly Easy to Fix
Why Is My Toilet Constantly Running
Your toilet could be running for a variety of reasons. The good news is that the reasons are all located in one area of your toilet, the tank, and they can be checked within a few minutes.
- Location – Tank – Flapper
- Location – Tank – Chain/Flapper
- Location – Tank – Float
- Location – Tank – Float (stuck)
Below we’ll discuss the process to fix a running toilet using 4 steps. Go through each step to check to the location and we’re sure that by the time you reach step 4 you’ll have found the problem. It’s quick and observable process.
3 Tools You’ll Need To Stop Your Toilet From Running
If you find the problem you’ll want to have a few tools handy to solve the problem. These tools are commonly found around the house so you don’t have to worry about buying new tools.
We advise to keep the following handy in case you need them:
- Wire cutters
- Flat Head Screwdriver
- Philips Head Screwdriver
How To Stop A Toilet From Running (4 Steps)
Step 1: Check Out The Flapper
First, what is the flapper? No, it’s not the handle of flusher, the flapper is inside of the tank and it’s a rubber piece that lifts to release water into the toilet bowl. It should be at the bottom of the tank.
Flappers are supposed to create a nice seal so water doesn’t escape out of the tank. Only when the toilet is flushed does the flapper raise but sometimes old flappers can loose their ability to seal.
The best way to check this is to put your hand into the tank and push down on the flapper or adjust it. You can also look at it and feel it. Is the flapper worn out or is it in pretty good condition?
Does the toilet stop running when you adjust the flapper? If so, you might want to get a new flapper or adjust the one you have.
Sometimes, the chain connecting the flusher to the flapper can be adjusted to create a better seal (read below).
Step 2: Flush Toilet with Tank Open and Watch
You should be able to see a chain that connects the flusher to the flapper. Look at the chain. Is it loose?
Occasionally the chain can get stuck under the flapper when it closes and allows water to leak out of the toilet.
This is an easy fix! You can use a wire cutter to shorten cut a few links in the chain and reconnect it to the flapper. It should not longer be getting stuck under the flapper.
Step 3: See If Water Is Going Into Overflow Drain
The overflow drain is easy to find inside the toilet tank. Look for a pipe sticking up near the top of the water and observe it.
Ideally, the water level of the tank should be about 1-2 inches below the top of the overflow drain. If the water level is aboe the overflow drain you’ll have a constant loss of water because the water level is too high.
To lower the water level you’ll want to adjust the float. Most modern toilets have a float that slides up and down with the water level (simple techonology).
Once the float gets to a determined height the float stops and water is no longer added to the toilet.
Once you’ve found the float, there should be a screw that can be tightened to move the float lower or higher. To lower the float, and thereby lower the water level, turn the adjustable screw to the left.
Check the water level and make sure it’s about 1-2 inches from the top of the overflow drain.
Old toilets will use a slightly different float, usually in the form of a float ball (looks like balloon). For old school float balls, make sure it’s farther down.
You can easily bend float arm a little bit or if you want to be more professional you can find the screw and adjust it (tightening the arm will usually make the ball higher and keep the water level lower).
Diaphram float valve can also be adjusted using a screwdriver. Turn clockwise on a diaphragm float to lower the water level.
If you’re confused about what type of float you have in your toilet, watch the video tutorial below – it’s very helpful.
Step 4: Bad Fill Valve
Occasionally you’ll need to replace a piece in your toilet that isn’t working. Take the lid off your toilet tank and flush the toilet.
When the tank refills, make sure the float is rising as the water fills and the flapper is down completely.
If your float valve isn’t rising (getting stuck or not sliding) you might have to replace it. The universal fill valve looks expensive but it’s only between 10-20 bucks.
Replacing a universal fill valve is easy as well – just follow the directions!
What If Your Toilet Is Running Intermittently
If you’re toilet is running intermittently this means that some of the time it’s working and sometimes it’s not working properly.
In this case, it would makes sense that the chain is the problem (see Step 2). If the chain connecting the flusher to the flapper is too long it can become stuck under the flapper and water will leak through.
A long chain won’t get stuck every flush so sometimes the toilet might run and other times it might work perfectly. In summary, if you have an intermittent running toilet, take the lid of the tank and check to see if the chain is getting stuck under the flapper.
Toilet Running With No Float
Some people may remember the old toilets that used a float ball. Float balls worked great however technology has improved and the size of tanks have decreased.
Smaller, more economical toilets have changed and now use a float that is connected to a guide pipe (it slides up and down the pipe). Once you’ve taken the lid off the tank you can see the float rise and fall with the water level.
If the float isn’t moving up and down with the water level then wiggle it to see if it’s stuck. All toilets have a float – you just need to identify it!
Toilet Still Running After Water Turned Off
Turning the water off will stop water from filling the tank, however, your toilet will continue running is as long as there is water in the tank.
If you want to stop the toilet from running you must turn the water off, then flush the toilet. Doing so will flush all the water from the tank and it will stop running. If you want to fix a running toilet read the steps above.
Conclusion
A running toilet may seem like a big problem but it’s usually easy to fix. Some people let their toilet run for months and years – why!
A running toilet wastes precious water and is expensive. It can also keep you up at night and be an annoyance.
If you’re tired of your toilet running and want to fix it, we provided 4 steps to consider. All 4 steps discuss how to identify and solve your problem and 99% of toilet running problems take place in the tank!
Take the lid off the tank and look for 4 things:
- The Flapper
- The Chain
- The Overflow drain
- The Float
In most cases it will be one of these issues. The good thing is these problems are minor and very easy to fix.
We hope this article helped you solve your toilet problem. If we did, leave us a comment below and share your tips to fixing a running toilet.
Be sure to read our other articles on the toilet and bathroom. Thanks for stopping by for a toilet break!