What to Do if Your Toilet Won’t Stop Running: Quick Fixes Before Calling a Plumber
A constantly running toilet is an all-too-common issue for many households. Over time, it can waste water and cause lasting damage to your toilet. That’s why it’s essential to get to the root of the problem.
In this article we will run through the quick and easy DIY fixes that you can rely on to solve your plumbing problem. If the issue persists, Gas Tech Heating Ltd is ready to assist you with your filling toilet.
Why Is Your Toilet Constantly Running?
If it sounds like water is constantly running in your toilet, there could be an internal issue. There are multiple reasons why this could be happening, and often it is an issue with a high-water level that overflows into the overflow tube.
Common causes include a misaligned float, or fill valve issues, as well a faulty flapper that lets water to continuously run into your toilet.
How can you fix your running toilet yourself?
By removing the lid of your toilet tank, you can inspect the internal parts to help identify the issue. Here you will be able to see whether the flapper (see later!) is damaged, if the float needs adjusting or if the fill valve has developed a leak. But we will run through these later on.
So, its time to stop asking yourself ‘why does my toilet keep running?’ – because we are here to provide you with some quick fixes.
DIY Fixes for a Running Toilet
Whether the water level inside your toilet tank is too high and is constantly running into the overflow tube, or your broken flapper is allowing water to leak through, there are fixes that you can do to help solve your running toilet issue.
Let us run through them.
Fix 1: Adjusting the Float
Fix 2: Replacing the Flapper
Fix 3: Fixing the Fill Valve
Fix 1: Adjusting the Float
Identifiable by its round shape, the float controls the water level inside the toilet tank. If it’s set too high then water will spill into the overflow tube and cause water to run continuously into your toilet. To check whether your float is too high, make a mark 1-2 inches below the overflow tube, this is the pipe connected to the flapper at the bottom of the tank. And if when you flush, the water goes over the mark, you need to lower your float.
In order to adjust the float, use a screwdriver to raise or lower the float via the screw on top. Flush again to check whether the float has been lowered enough and adjust accordingly. However, if your toilet keeps running after the flush, try one of our other fixes or get in touch with us for experienced plumbing support.
Fix 2: Replacing the Flapper
A flapper sits at the bottom of your toilet tank and acts like a hinged plug for the water inside the cistern. Attached to a chain, this moving part seals water inside the tank and then allows it to exit when you flush.
A faulty or damaged flapper will continuously let water drain into your toilet. If it looks broken or damaged, it will need replacing. A replacement flapper can be found online or at a local DIY store.
To replace the flapper, first turn off the water to your toilet via the shutoff valve and drain your toilet by flushing. You can then unhook your current flapper from the chain and undo the pegs it is clipped into on the flush valve with. Then, fit the new flapper in the same way. A toilet flapper replacement will ensure that water will not escape through the seal.
Fix 3: Fixing the Fill Valve
An issue with the fill valve could be the cause of the continuous flow of water into your toilet. The cylindrical fill valve spans from the bottom to the top of a toilet tank, and is responsible for letting in fresh water so that there is enough available to flush your toilet.
A small leak in the fill valve can be a cause of a toilet constantly running. To test, you can either look for visible damage or do a dye test. By adding a few drops of dye into your toilet tank, if after a while the colour appears in the toilet bowl without flushing, it has a leak.
Purchasing a new fill valve and fitting this yourself can be done to solve this problem, but you may want professional help.
For repairs that are beyond DIY fixes, contact Gas Tech Heating Ltd for professional plumbing services in Hemel Hempstead.
When to Call Gas Tech Heating Ltd
While many DIY fixes can often resolve the issue of a constantly running toilet, if you have found that none of these quick solutions have worked there could be a more extensive issue.
It could be the case that you don’t know how to replace the internal parts, or maybe you just prefer a professional touch. In this case, an expert like Gas Tech Heating Ltd can help with any plumbing needs in Hemel Hempstead.
Conclusion
From adjusting the float to replacing the fill valve, there is more than one quick fix for constantly running water in your toilet. However, there is always professional help available and on-hand to assist you with any plumbing issues.
For reliable and fast solutions to plumbing problems, including a running toilet, get in touch with Gas Tech Heating Ltd today. We serve Hemel Hempstead and surrounding areas, and also provide emergency plumbing. For more helpful articles, take a look at our blog.
