Monday, February 19th, 2024

Ask Allied Reddi-Rooter: Why is my toilet always running? 

If you’re hearing that familiar (yet irritating) sound of running water coming from your toilet, you’re not alone. It’s actually a common plumbing concern, and one we help customers get to the bottom of often. 

The good news is that there’s usually a simple reason and an easy solution to get toilets to stop running and making that annoying sound. Below, we dive into why your toilet might be making that persistent running water sound and what you can do about it.

What makes toilets run continuously – and how to fix the problem 

Faulty flapper valve

Inside your toilet tank, there’s a rubber flapper valve that controls the flow of water from the tank to the bowl. Over time, this valve can corrode or break, allowing water to leak into the bowl continuously.

To determine if this is the issue, open the tank and inspect the flapper valve. If it’s worn out or misaligned, it’s a relatively easy fix. Simply replace the old flapper with a new one, making sure it forms a tight seal over the drain hole.

Float ball or cup

The float ball or cup, which is responsible for regulating the water level in the tank, may be set too high. When this happens, water can overflow into the overflow tube, causing a constant trickle of water into the bowl.

If the water level in the tank is too high, adjust the float ball or cup to lower it. This can usually be done by bending the metal rod or adjusting the screw on the float mechanism.

Fill valve issues

The fill valve, also known as the ballcock, may be malfunctioning or failing to shut off completely after the tank has refilled. This can result in a continuous flow of water into the tank, leading to that running water sound.

Check the fill valve. If you notice it’s malfunctioning, you may need to replace it. Luckily, fill valves are relatively inexpensive and easy to install with a few basic tools.

Leaking tank

In some cases, the tank itself may have a crack or leak, causing water to continuously seep out and trigger the refill mechanism.

This should be an easy issue to detect as you can usually see water at the base of the toilet or a crack on the seat or the tank. 

Can’t tell if you have a leak? Add a couple drops of food coloring to the tank water and wait a few minutes. If you see colored water seeping into the bowl without flushing, you likely have a leak that needs to be addressed.

Don’t want to tackle these fixes yourself? Contact the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call. We have the expertise and tools necessary to diagnose and repair the issue quickly and effectively.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.