Usually when you flush the toilet, you’ll hear it drip for a for a few seconds. That’s normal for your toilet. However, if you hear your toilet sound like it’s constantly dripping water long after you flushed it, or even before you use it, you might have a bit of a problem. And it’s not a problem you should ignore—according to the Environmental Protection Agency you could be wasting 200 gallons of water with a running toilet. Luckily, there are only a few reasons for a leaky toilet and the solutions are simple and inexpensive. The team at OnTime Service is here to help you find the answer to your question: Why is my toilet running?
1. Defective Flapper
The flapper is a very important mechanism in your toilet. Located in your toilet’s tank, the flapper is a rubber stopper or seal that lifts to release water into the bowl when you flush the toilet. The flapper is connected to the flush lever with a chain. The chain should be tightened at the right length to ensure the flapper is opening and shutting efficiently. If it’s too long, it could be getting caught underneath the flapper. However, if it’s too short it could be preventing the flapper from completely sealing shut.
To identify if the flapper is the real issue, remove the tank cover and push down on the flapper. If the toilet stops running, you’ve identified the problem. Most likely, your flapper isn’t stopping excess water from going into the bowl. It might have deteriorated from age which means it will need to be replaced.
Keep in mind that there are different types of flappers so be sure you get the right one from your nearest hardware store!
2. Faulty Float
When you lift the cover of your toilet you will notice a ball-like object floating in the toilet tank; this object is known as a ball float. The ball float is one of the components of the toilet that helps maintain the water level in the tank. It is located at the edge of the arm connected to the fill valve of your toilet; this arm can be adjusted to maintain the water height in your tank.
If the ball float is too high, water is most likely filling up the tank and draining into the overflow tube (a tube that lets excess water in the tank drain away into the bowl). The water draining into the overflow tube causes the toilet to make the dripping noises it does. You can fix this problem simply by lowering the arm of the float.
3. Leaky Fill Valve
If there is no problem with your toilet’s flapper or float, chances are your toilet’s fill valve might be the culprit. The fill valve of your toilet is responsible for filling up your toilet’s tank with water after you flush it. When water rushes from the tank into the bowl, the ball float lowers itself. As a result, the arm attached to the fill valve opens the fill valve to let water into the tank.
If you flush your toilet and your fill valve leaks or is unable to fill up the tank, you might have to replace it. While you can do this by yourself, it is a time-consuming process. If you’re new to toilet repair and maintenance, you can have a professional come look at it!
Need a Professional? Call OnTime Service!
If you’re still unable to figure out why your toilet is running, you might want to contact one of our professionals. Our knowledgeable team of experts will meet all your plumbing needs. We also offer heating, cooling and electrical services. Call us today at 251-272-3595 or schedule a service on our website!
