Why does my toilet refill every few minutes?

This sound can happen intermittently and occur every few minutes or every few hours. Such a refill sound is usually alerting you that your toilet is losing water, either internally (if there's no water on the floor or exterior of toilet) or externally leaking if you see water outside the toilet.

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How do you fix a toilet that runs every few minutes?

How to Fix a Toilet That Randomly Runs
  1. Problem 1: Toilet Flapper Could Be Cracked. ...
  2. Problem 2: Chain Might Be Caught. ...
  3. Problem 3: Float May Need to be Lowered. ...
  4. Problem 4: Refill Tube Could Require Repositioning. ...
  5. Solution 1: Replace the Flapper. ...
  6. Solution 2: Lower the Float or Move the Chain. ...
  7. Solution 3: Shorten the Refill Tube.

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Why does my toilet keep randomly filling up?

Your chain could be too short, keeping your flapper from fully sealing to its seat. Your flapper may be damaged or dirty, preventing it from sealing properly. Your float valve could be set too high, so toilet filling is continuous.

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What causes toilet to run every few minutes?

If the toilet keeps running or runs intermittently, you're not getting a good seal. Try a different flapper if the toilet won't stop running. If you just can't find a flapper that seals, consider replacing the entire toilet overflow tube/flapper. On most toilets (two-piece), this means removing the tank.

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How do you fix a toilet that runs intermittently?

How to Fix a Running Toilet
  1. Check the Overflow Tube Height. The overflow tube is a part of the flush valve assembly. ...
  2. Lower the Water Level in the Tank. ...
  3. Inspect the Flush Valve Chain. ...
  4. Check the Flapper. ...
  5. Replace the Flush Valve. ...
  6. Replace the Fill Valve.

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Toilet runs periodically how to fix!

35 related questions found

Is it bad if your toilet keeps running?

Like a slowly dripping faucet, a running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water each day. Worse yet, the issue is, more often than not, indicative of a much larger problem. If your toilet keeps running or is overflowing, contact a plumbing company immediately and schedule running toilet repair services.

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Why does my toilet keep filling up and overflowing?

The fill valve needs to be replaced, otherwise, your toilet will never stop filling. If this is coupled with a broken overflow tube, then it could cause a flood. A fill valve should only be replaced by a professional plumber. They will be able to replace the valve without causing any more damage.

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Is Phantom Flushing bad?

Ghost flushing happens when there is a leak in your toilet system. The causes of ghost flushing are either internal or external or originate in the floor. Ghost flushing wastes water and can cause damage to flooring and walls.

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Why does my toilet make a noise every 30 minutes?

This is most likely due to a worn out flapper, but could also be caused by a stuck chain or float (either a ballcock or float valve.) If your toilet is making random noises every few minutes, it means that at least part of the flush is executing.

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Does phantom flushing raise water bill?

This can be a frustrating problem for homeowners or businesses to deal with since it can cause a rise in utility costs. It can also be a sign of an external water leak that could cause water damage if it is not taken care of quickly.

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Is Ghost Flushing an emergency?

A floor leak could cause phantom flushing if the toilet flange is working properly and you can't see any external leak. This leak can constantly force your toilet to drain, producing a ghost flush. Turn off your water supply and call an emergency plumber to fix this.

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Is Ghost Flushing normal?

A ghost flushing toilet is a problem, but the occurrence is also a symptom. When the toilet ghost flushes, it is typically the sign of a loose flapper. The fact that it has flushed on its own once is cause enough to replace the flapper. However, you can run a conclusive test to make sure the flapper is the cause.

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What are the signs of a toilet going bad?

If it's been some time since your last toilet replacement, watch out for these common signs your toilet needs replacing:
  • Water puddles. If you frequently see a puddle of water around your toilet, this could indicate that you have cracks in your tank. ...
  • Old age. ...
  • A wobbly base. ...
  • Frequent repairs. ...
  • Outdated style (round bowl).

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Why can't you flush a toilet twice?

If you have to flush the toilet twice, there most likely isn't enough water flowing into the bowl. This means the siphoning effect is too weak to clear everything out of the toilet in one go.

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How much water does Ghost Flushing use?

Have you ever thought you heard your toilet running or flush on its own? Did you ignore it, thinking you were imagining things or that it wasn't important? Well, a “phantom flush” is a common toilet problem and it could be wasting up to 200 gallons of water per day!

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Why does my toilet take 20 minutes to fill?

The most common reason for a toilet being slow to fill is due to a partially open water supply valve. Check to make sure the valve is open and letting water flow freely into the tank when it needs to fill.

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Why does my toilet run every 15 minutes?

Among the most common problems for a running toilet is caused by a fill valve issue. This is when the water level is too high and water spills out of the top tank and into the overflow tube then down into the toilet bowl. This happens when there is excess water in the top tank.

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How fast should a toilet refill?

Depending on your water pressure, a tank usually refills in about three minutes. If it's slow to fill or it's not filling at all, try the shut-off first. Make sure the water shut-off is completely open for maximum water flow. If it's not completely open, that may account for your slow-fill issues.

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What is a ghost flush?

Ghost flushing, also known as phantom flushing, occurs when the toilet tank flapper is no longer creating a watertight seal with the flush valve, causing water to unnecessarily leak into the toilet bowl.

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What does a phantom flush sound like?

Phantom flushing, also known as ghost flushing, means that your toilet creates a sound as if it's flushed even when it's not being used. This usually happens when there's a leak in the tank. Find out the cause of the seepage and perform the necessary repair to stop the dripping.

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Does flushing less save water?

Assuming each flush uses 1.5 gallons and that you skip the flush three times a day, that amounts to around $2.95 saved each year. Now, this will vary from state to state and even city to city.

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Why does poop come back after flushing?

A clog somewhere in the plumbing system is the most common cause of toilet backups. If you notice problems with only one toilet, and all other drains in the house appear to be fine, a local clog is the likely culprit.

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Why does my toilet flush but the poop stays?

Clear a Clogged Toilet

A clog is the most common reason for a toilet that doesn't flush. Clogs can range in severity, from a complete blockage to a partial obstruction. Wipes, toilet paper and other items can build up in sewer lines, which could result in slow flushing that doesn't completely clear the bowl.

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