Why Your Toilet Keeps Running (and How to Fix It)

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, American toilets use up to 26.7% of the total water consumed in an average home.

The amount of water used in your bathroom may be more than double when the toilet is leaking. A leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water every day, and definitely cause an increased water bill.

When your toilet starts to run, you need to consider the cause of this problem. If your toilet keeps running, the potential of water wastage and damage to your house increases two-fold.

Are you wondering why your toilet keeps running? You aren't alone. A good number of Americans often grapple with this plumbing concern.

In this article, we reflect on how to keep a toilet from running.

1. Sticky Flush Valve

Most times, instances of a running toilet occur immediately after flushing. If you realize cases where you have to wiggle the flush for the water to stop running, you could be staring at a sticky flush valve. The flush valve is the part inside the toilet cistern that helps move the water into the bowl.

Flush valves come in varying designs depending on your toilet. When problems start in your bathroom, the first probable cause is a sticky flush valve. When your toilet system's chain or wire is out of adjustment, the level valve may stick.

Such maladjustment causes a stuck sticky flush and potential water overflow. If the valve is stuck, the flapper remains open, causing a recurrence of running water.

The first thing you need to do is to locate the flapper and turn it clockwise. Often, this does the trick. If this doesn't help, you may consider calling our team of plumbers in Austin to check the system for you.

2. Problem With a Faulty Flapper Valve

The flapper valve may develop issues at some point. When this happens, the most common reason could be wear and tear. As you use your toilet over time, specific parts such as the flapper valve gradually wear out.

Apart from sticking due to an airlock, valves may also wear out over time. When this happens, the valves cannot limit the amount of water gushing out into the bowl.

Does your toilet keep running? The first thing you need to consider is whether the flapper has dirt inside.

Sometimes, the issue may be a dirty flapper valve. In such cases, you need to clean the valve and remove any debris. If dirt isn't the issue, then the next likely problem could be wear and tear.

A trained plumber can help you assess the flapper valve for any underlying issue. In case the main cause of the malfunctions is wear and tear, you need to replace the flapper as soon as possible.

3. The Refill Tube Is Too Long

The refill tube operates on a mechanism that ensures your toilet fills up with enough water each time you flush. When the refill pipe has a problem, the first thing you need to check is the length.

The refill mechanism should not be too short or too long. Finding the right balance is important to avoid instances of malfunctions. When your toilet keeps running, the refill tank could either be out of position or too long, hence allowing more water than it should.

Your first step when toilet water keeps running should be to shorten the refill pipe. If shortening the line on your own is hard work, you can call in our experts.

Once the tube is shorter, you won't have to worry about the recurrence of water overflow.

4. Sticky Tank Ball

The tank ball is an important part of the toilet system. The ball helps ensure that the water doesn't flow beyond a certain level in the cistern. However, when the tank ball becomes sticky, there's a chance that it won't control the rate of water flowing beyond the set level.

The float ball needs to be able to trigger the valve. If the underlying issue is a stuck ball, the first thing to do is consider checking the collar. Part of the reason the ball sticks is the recurrence of the collar rubbing against the tank's side.

You may consider DIY interventions by turning the float so that it doesn't run against the side of the tank. If this doesn't help, consider checking the ballcock floats to see if there's recurrent friction. Our experts are always ready to help you deal with such technical issues.

5. Misplaced Lift Wire

Another commonplace to check when the toilet keeps running is the lift wire. Sometimes this small part of the cistern could be misaligned or out of place. If this is the underlying issue, what you need to do is bring back the wire in line.

Sometimes the lift wire is stuck due to maladjustment. The entangled wire can cause the flapper to stay open. When the flapper is open, you stand the risk of a recurrent overflow of water.

The most basic solution when the wire is out of position is to realign it. If this doesn't help, you should consider calling in an expert to replace the lift wire for you.

This Is What to Do When Your Toilet Keeps Running

A running toilet can be frustrating and a potential hazard. Unless you find a solution to such an issue soon enough, the damage and losses in the long term could be immense. Are you wondering how to keep a toilet from running?

These five issues are the most common reasons why your toilet keeps running. With the help of our team of plumbers, you no longer have to worry about a leaking toilet.

Are you looking for experts in toilet repair in Austin? Contact us for an estimate of all types of toilet repair.