Your plumbing and toilet can act up from time to time. A running toilet not only wastes water but can also be an annoying nuisance. Fortunately, it’s usually pretty easy to fix without needing to call a plumber.
Here are a few culprits that could be causing a running toilet. Before proceeding, turn off the toilet’s water supply and carefully remove the tank lid.
1) Check the flapper
The most likely cause of a running toilet is the flapper. If it doesn’t seal correctly in between uses, the water will continue to drain from the bottom of the tank into the toilet, and run endlessly.
Press your finger around the flapper’s edges to check if the toilet water stops running. If it does, the flapper likely needs to be changed. You can purchase a replacement flapper at your local hardware store.
2) Check the Float
The float controls the water level in the tank. If it’s set too high, water spills into the toilet overflow tube and down into the toilet bowl. You can fix this by lowering the water level or fill height by adjusting the height of the float ball.
3) Check the Flapper Chain
The chain connected to the flush rod allows the flapper to open and close. If the chain is too short, the flapper will not close all the way, and water will continue to leak into the bowl. Adjust the linkage in the chain so the flapper closes all the way.
4) Check the Refill Tube
If the refill tube is too long and not positioned correctly in the overflow tube, it can cause your toilet to continuously pump water into the bowl. To fix, pull out the toilet refill tube from the overflow and adjust it so the opening is just above the overflow opening. Clip any excess tube and reconnect.
Call Your Local Plumber
If none of these repairs work, or you feel uncomfortable with what you’re doing, call A. Borrelli today.
