How to Quickly and Easily Fix Your Running Toilet

It’s happened to all of us: you flush the toilet and the tank won’t stop running. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also wasting water and running up your water bill. If you’re struggling with a running toilet, don’t despair – there are a few easy fixes that you can do yourself without having to call one of our plumbers.

Before you begin, it’s important to understand how your toilet works. The tank is connected to the bowl by a flush valve. When you flush the toilet, the flush valve opens and water rushes from the tank into the bowl, carrying waste with it. The fill valve then refills the tank with fresh water.

If your toilet is running constantly, it’s most likely because the fill valve is not shutting off properly. Keep reading to learn how to quickly and easily fix your running toilet!

Why Is My Toilet Running?

Most of the time, a running toilet is caused by a fill valve that has become defective. The fill valve works to refill the tank after flushing and is responsible for the “stop and start” of the tank. If it’s not working properly, the toilet will continue to run as the water from the tank never stops. Often, this is caused by a faulty fill valve seal, which needs to be replaced. A worn-out flapper or flush valve can also be at fault. If you’re seeing water around the base of the tank, it can also be a sign of a faulty seal. These issues, while all related, require different solutions. However, the good news is that all can easily be fixed. You don’t need to be a plumber or even have special tools – just a few basics like a screwdriver, a wrench, and a few simple steps.

How to Fix a Running Toilet in 3 Quick and Easy Steps

Step 1: Shut off the Water Supply

First, turn off the water supply. This is usually located at the rear of the tank and can be turned off with a shutoff valve or a supply line valve. If you can’t locate the water supply, your local hardware store may be able to help.

Step 2: Check the Fill Valve

Next, check the fill valve. You’ll need to remove the fill valve, which is the component that refills the tank after flushing so that you can inspect it. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as the rubber seal, which may need to be replaced. You can also check the flapper, which is the rubber seal located inside the tank at the bottom of the flush valve. Again, if you notice any signs of wear and tear, you may need to replace them.

Step 3: Re-attach & Test

Once you’ve inspected and replaced the necessary components, you can re-attach the fill valve and flush the toilet to test it out. Make sure the water stays in the tank and doesn’t overflow or continue to run.

Conclusion

A running toilet is one of the most common plumbing issues, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix. With a few basic tools and a bit of patience, you can quickly and easily fix it yourself. You won’t need to call a plumber or spend a fortune on parts – all you need is to turn off the water supply, inspect and replace the fill valve and flapper, and then re-attach and test it. If you’re patient and follow the simple steps outlined above, you’ll have a working toilet in no time!

If you need further help with your home’s plumbing, visit our contact page to connect with a professional plumber.