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Toilet Running Continuously | Easy Fix For Running Toilet [UPDATED]

Do you have a toilet running continuously? You may be surprised to know that there are many reasons why toilets run continuously. Find out what causes them here!

People frequently look at the toilet tank, wondering what the issue is, or twist the flush valve to see if that stops the toilet from running after the typical flush cycle. Constantly running toilets in the house is a commonly faced issue and can be resolved in an hour, if you have the proper idea and tools.

Mainly constantly running toilets impacts regular water bills. This unseen or hidden issue can increase your water bill drastically.

Everest Plumbing Jul 29, 2022
Toilet Running Continuously | Easy Fix For Running Toilet [2022]
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Reasons your toilet keeps running:

The Handle Is Stuck:

Your toilet may run when it doesn’t need to if your handle is stuck. Since stuck handles normally occur because they are too tight for your toilet, fixing them is usually simple. Your toilet may stop running if you loosen the handle enough for it to move freely.

Worn Out Toilet Flapper:

What creates a seal between your toilet’s tank and bowl is your toilet flapper. A damaged flapper is among the most frequent causes of a toilet that won’t stop flushing. Water continuously leaks from your toilet’s tank into the bowl due to worn-out flappers. This can lead to an infinite flow of water because the seal that prevents a steady flow of water is worn away. Your toilet flapper needs to be replaced to fix the problem. Your toilet flapper can be found easily in any nearest home hardware and Home Depot.

regular toilet flapper
Regular Toilet Flapper

 

The Refill Tube Needs To Be Shortened:

The portion of your toilet that connects the overflow tube to the refill valve is called the refill tube. If your refill tube is too long, water will constantly be moving from the tank to the overflow valve, which will make your toilet keep running. The refill tube can be made shorter to stop the water from flowing continuously.

Flapper Chain Needs Adjusting:

The flapper chain, which connects your flapper to the handle and instructs it when to seal and when to open, is related to your flapper. The flapper can’t seal if the flapper chain is too short, which causes the toilet to continuously flush. It could become jammed under the flapper if it is too lengthy. The chain can be adjusted to operate as it should.

The Float Is Too High:

 By indicating that the water levels in the toilet tank have reached the predetermined height, the float is the component of the toilet that determines when the water flow in the toilet ceases. The water hits the overflow tube before it reaches the float, therefore if the float is set too high, your toilet will continue to flush.

The Float Valve Is Broken:

Another possible explanation for why your toilet keeps running is a faulty float valve, which permits water to leak. As you are fixing the component of the toilet that enabled water to escape, replacing the valve should solve the problem.

The Overflow Pipe Is Cracked:

Even though this is one of the less frequent causes of a toilet that keeps running, the overflow pipe can occasionally crack. Water continuously flows from the overflow tube into the bowl as a result of this, much like when the float valve fails.

 

Here are some steps to take if you suspect a running or leaking toilet.

Check the supply pipeline.

If you notice any leaks coming out of the supply line or hose that supplies the water, check the pipe first. You can also try using a flashlight to see where the water goes. If you find a hole in the pipe, call a plumber immediately.

Clean Out the Tank.

Next, remove the tank cover by unscrewing it. Then, pour some water into the tank until it overflows. This will help flush out any debris that has accumulated inside the tank.

Inspect the Flapper

Over time, these rubber components may get distorted, worn out, or otherwise filthy and may not fit properly inside the flush valve seat. The flapper should be replaced if any flaws are discovered, but if it merely seems unclean, washing it in a solution of water and vinegar could be able to fix the issue. Prior to attempting to clean the flapper, just be sure to cut off the water to the toilet and drain the tank.

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Here is clear picture to figure out How toilet flushing system works:

toilet flushing system working principle
Detail parts explanation of the toilet flushing system

It’s important to have a thorough understanding of how a toilet functions in order to better appreciate why these problematic sections cause the toilet to run.

  • The flapper, a sizable gasket at the base of the flush valve that rests in the bottom of the tank, keeps water from escaping the toilet tank after entering through the fill valve tube.
  • The float rod rises with the water as the tank fills, and when it reaches the desired water level, the fill valve shuts off the water supply. Further than this threshold, the water may start to overflow into the overflow tube, which is intended to stop floods by removing water before the tank overflows.
  • The toilet can be flushed at this stage. By depressing the handle or button, a chain fastened to the flush valve flapper is pulled. The flapper opens, allowing the water inside the tank to be released.
  • In order to boost flushing power, a supplementary point of entry known as a suction jet may be present in addition to the toilet bowl’s uniformly distributed rim holes.
  • The water level rises as more water enters the toilet bowl, allowing it to pass through the S-trap and into the main drain.
  • When the tank is completely empty, the water flow stops and the flapper returns to its original position, shutting the tank.

A toilet that is continuously running means that the overflow tube is either being filled with water from the tank or that the system is allowing water to pass through the flapper on the flush valve. By adding a few drops of dye to the tank, you can immediately determine whether the extra water is pouring into the overflow tube or the toilet bowl.

When colored water enters the toilet bowl, the flush valve or flapper mechanism is probably to blame; however, if the water in the bowl is clear, the fill valve or overflow tube system is to blame.

How To Fix A Toilet That Won’t Stop Running

Above, we’ve listed some of the ways that you can resolve each of these problems. In most cases, fixing a toilet that won’t stop running is easy, either by replacing the flapper, adjusting the chain, shortening the tube, or having other parts replaced. Though typically, this is a job that you can resolve yourself, having a professional Plumber come out to take a look at it will ensure that you both have solved the problem and that it is fixed properly. We, as being Toronto plumber can assure you that fix your running water issue by providing same-day service.

Call us if you need drain cleaning for the following services, Clogged drain line, Bathtub drain, Sink drain clogged, Toilet clogged, We are just a call away.

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