The water level in the tank is controlled by an adjustable float. A float that's set too low produces a weak flush; if it's set too high, water spills into the toilet overflow tube and the fill valve won't shut off. The toilet keeps running.
In older toilets, you'll need to adjust the float cup by bending the metal rod or float arm attached to it. In modern or newer toilets, push the floater clip, or turn the screw of the flush rod. Keep adjusting the rod until the water supply stops running when the tank empties and then refills from the fill valve.
Perhaps the most common reason for a running toilet is an old flapper that needs to be replaced. When flappers get old, they don't seal the way they should, and this allows water to pass constantly from the toilet tank into the bowl.
Will a running toilet stop eventually? As fresh water enters the tank, a mechanism eventually shuts off the water flow and the toilet will stop running. However, when things go wrong with the valve, flapper or overflow then it's best to get it sorted.
A toilet that won't stop running is another common problem. You can expect to pay between $50 and $400 to repair a running water issue. If there is too much water in your tank, it will be a quick, easy fix and may be possible to do at home.
However, the amount of water a malfunctioning toilet wastes will quickly add up. A run-on-toilet can use up to 2 gallons of water a minute. That means in only an hour, you'll waste 120 gallons of water! Even though a running toilet may not seem like an emergency, you need to get the problem fixed as soon as you can.
More often than not, the flapper valve could need adjustment, or you may need to replace the toilet fill valve. Both are relatively small fixes that most homeowners can usually handle without calling in a professional plumber or having to remove the toilet and then having to install a new one.
Irregular Running Water
Check that your toilet tank ball falls onto your valve seal. If it lands off-center or doesn't connect at all, you need to replace the valve. To fix this problem, a plumber will need to remove the defective tank ball and then put the new valve in place.
No need to worry, a running toilet is usually a simple fix. The three most common causes are a broken or dirty flapper, too long or too short of a chain between the flush lever and the flapper or a float that is out of position.
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.
Leaking toilets are more than just an annoyance—they waste water which leads to higher water bills. The next time you hear the unmistakable sound of a running toilet, it's a sign of a leak in need of immediate repair.
Fixing a toilet bowl costs approximately $100 to $300, including labor and materials. If you have some basic DIY skills, you could use epoxy resin to fix minor cracks in the bowl, saving you the cost of hiring a handyperson. For more significant damage, you'll need to hire a pro.
An occasional repair is normal, but if you're constantly having to fix toilet issues, that can become a costly and time consuming problem. One or two toilet issues is to be expected, but if you are frequently and consistently running into the same problem, or even multiple problems, a new toilet is the way to go.