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A Constantly Running Toilet
Having a toilet that keeps running is not only annoying, but it's also a waste of water. In most cases, you can quickly fix running toilets by adjusting the float or the fill valve. If these simple fixes don't work, you may need to replace the flapper or the entire flush valve assembly.
Reasons Why Your Toilet Keeps Running
Faulty flapper
If your toilet's flapper is damaged or worn out, it can cause the toilet to keep running. The flapper covers the hole at the bottom of the tank and allows water to flow into the bowl when you flush. Over time, the flapper can become brittle and break, or it may not seal properly, causing water to leak into the bowl and causing your toilet to keep running.
Clogged vent stack
If your home's vent stack is blocked, it can cause your toilet to keep running. The vent stack helps remove sewer gases from your home and prevents them from entering your toilet. If the vent stack is clogged, it can cause a build-up of pressure that can cause your toilet to keep running.
Faulty fill valves
If your toilet's fill valve is not working correctly, it can cause the toilet to keep running. The fill valve controls the water supply into the tank and is responsible for filling the tank after each flush. If the fill valve is not functioning correctly, it can cause water to continuously leak into the bowl, causing your toilet to keep running.
Improper float level
If the float level in your toilet tank is set too high, this may be the reason your toilet keeps running. The float level controls how much water enters the tank. A screw typically adjusts it on the back of the toilet. If the float level is very high, water will continuously enter the tank, and your toilet will keep running.
Leaky flush valve
A leaking flush valve can cause the toilet to keep running. The flush valve releases water from the tank into the bowl when you flush. If the flush valve is not sealing correctly, water can leak from the tank into the bowl, which results in a running toilet.
Problematic flapper chain
If the flapper chain on your toilet is too long or too short, it can cause your toilet to keep running. When you flush, the flapper chain lifts the flapper, allowing water to flow into the bowl. If the flapper chain is very long, it can become tangled and prevent the flapper from sealing correctly. If the flapper chain is quite short, the flapper may not lift high enough to allow water to flow into the bowl. Either way, an improper flapper chain can cause your toilet to keep running.
Clogged toilet
A clogged toilet is another common cause of a toilet that keeps running. A clog in your toilet can block the flow of water from the tank into the bowl, causing water to back up into the tank.
Improperly installed flush handle
The flush handle is responsible for activating the flush valve when you flush. If the flush handle is not installed correctly, it can become loose and allow water to leak constantly from the tank into the bowl, causing your toilet to keep running.
Incorrectly installed tank
If your toilet's tank is not installed correctly, it can cause the toilet to keep running. You must level the tank for the float level to work correctly. If the tank is not levelled, the float level will not work correctly, and water will continuously enter the bowl, causing your toilet to keep running.
Ways To Fix A Toilet That Keeps Running
Check for leaks
The first step to fixing a running toilet is to check for leaks. There are two ways to do this. The first is to look at the tank and see if water leaks out from any connections. If you see water, then you have a leak. The second way to check for leaks is to put a few drops of food colouring in the tank and see if it appears in the bowl after a few minutes. If it does, then you have a leak.
Adjust the float ball
The float ball is what controls the water level in the tank. If it is set too low, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. Turn the adjustment screw until the ball is at the correct level to adjust the float ball.
Adjust the flapper
The flapper is what controls the water flow from the tank to the bowl. If it's not sealing correctly, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. Turn the adjustment screw until the flapper is sealing correctly to adjust the flapper.
Check the fill valve
The fill valve is what controls the water level in the tank. If it's not working correctly, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. To check the fill valve, simply flush the toilet and see if water continues to run into the bowl after the flush.
Check the tank gasket
The tank gasket seals the connection between the tank and the bowl. If it's not sealing correctly, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. To check the tank gasket, flush the toilet and see if water leaks from the connection between the tank and the bowl.
Clean the syphon jet
The syphon jet allows water to flow from the tank to the bowl. If it's clogged, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. To clean the syphon jet, simply remove the toilet tank lid and use a small wire brush to clean out the syphon jet.
Replace the flapper chain
The flapper chain is what connects the flapper to the flush handle. If it's broken or stretched, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. Simply remove the old chain and install a new one to replace the flapper chain.
Adjust the water level
The water level in your tank should be set so that it's just below the overflow tube. Water will keep running into the bowl if it's set too high. To adjust the water level, simply turn the adjustment screw until the water level is where it should be.
Clean the bowl
The bowl can become dirty and stained over time. If it's not cleaned regularly, water will keep running into the bowl, and your toilet will keep running. To clean the bowl, simply flush the toilet and use a toilet brush to scrub the bowl clean.
Dangers Of A Constantly Running Toilet
A constantly running toilet can be a massive waste of water. If your toilet is running all the time, even when you don't need it to, you're wasting a precious natural resource. In most cases, a running toilet is simply due to a faulty flapper or ballcock assembly. These are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace.
But there are some other potential dangers associated with a constantly running toilet:
Overflowing toilet tank
If your toilet's tank is constantly refilling, eventually, it will overflow. This can lead to significant flooding, not just in your bathroom but also in the surrounding rooms. This is a big mess to clean up, but it can also cause severe damage to your home.
Wasted water heater energy
If your water heater is set to a high temperature and your toilet runs constantly, all that hot water goes down the drain. This wastes a lot of energy and money, as you're essentially paying to heat water that you're not even using.
Mould and mildew growth
Mould and mildew love damp, warm places. If your bathroom is constantly humid due to a running toilet, this can create the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow. This can also be dangerous for your health, especially if you have asthma or allergies.
Pests
Pests are attracted to water, so a constantly running toilet can attract all sorts of unwanted critters into your home, from ants and roaches to rodents and snakes. A running toilet is one thing, but pests all over your bathroom and home is even worse.
Toilet bowl stains
If your toilet bowl is constantly filled with water, it can cause stains that will be challenging to remove. In some cases, these stains may even be permanent. This will only make your toilet very unappealing, and it will look dirty even if it is "clean."
Dampness and humidity
A running toilet can also lead to increased dampness and humidity in your bathroom, which can cause paint to peel, wallpaper to blister, and wood to warp.
Damage to the toilet itself
Constant water pressure from a running toilet can damage the porcelain of your toilet bowl or crack the tank. In extreme cases, the entire toilet can collapse. That is the last thing anybody wants to happen!
Higher water bills
If you're wasting water by having a constantly running toilet, your water bills will be higher. Higher water bills can be a significant expense, especially if you have a large family or live in a region with high water rates.
Septic tank problems
If you have a septic tank, a constantly running toilet can overload it and cause serious problems. An overflowing septic tank can contaminate groundwater and lead to expensive repairs.
Environmental impact
Finally, it's important to remember that every drop of water counts. By wasting water through a constantly running toilet, you're not just hurting your wallet; you're also harming the environment.
Call A Professional Plumber
If you've given all of the tips above a try and your toilet still keeps running, you may need to call a plumber for toilet repair. A plumber can diagnose the problem and fix it so that your toilet will stop running.
When it comes to fixing a running toilet, there are a few things that you can do on your own. However, if this issue persists, it is best to reach out to a professional. This way, you can avoid causing even more damage to your toilet. If you don't understand the cause of the issue, you might create more problems by trying to fix it yourself.
