How often have you been sitting in the bathroom doing business when you notice the toilet is running? Worse, has it been running for a while?
It’s not just a minor nuisance; it may be a significant frustration. It’s not just that your toilet continues running; it’s what occurs when you remove the lid to find out why.
The smell alone is enough to make anyone feel like they’re about to faint (or worse). It’s a genuine pain, especially when it keeps you up at night, and the worst part is that there doesn’t appear to be much you can do about it.
Fortunately for you (and your neighbors), we have some exciting news! There is something you can do about it.
This article will walk you through some of the most common causes of a toilet running all the time, as well as potential solutions for each.
Common Causes Of Toilet Running All The Time.
If you’ve ever had a toilet that constantly runs, you know that it’s not only inconvenient but also costly. This is because a running toilet may consume up to 20 gallons of water per day, which might cost you up to $50 per month in wasted water and increased costs.
Furthermore, constantly running toilets might disrupt your septic system’s capacity to filter waste. It implies that the longer your toilet runs, the more likely you may have an overflowing septic tank or other unpleasant repercussions!
So, what causes toilets to run continuously? These are four common culprits:
Cause #1: Flapper Issues
The flapper is the rubber piece that closes off the water line when you flush your toilet. Sometimes a flapper will wear down or break and won’t close properly anymore.
If this happens, water will continue to flow into the tank even after you’ve flushed it because there’s no way for it to escape.
This can be a serious problem if you have a low-level toilet tank because it can cause your tank to overflow and flood your bathroom.
Cause #2: Fill Valve Issues
Fill valves are responsible for filling up the tank after each flush so that all subsequent flushes are successful.
If your fill valve is faulty or broken, water may come out of your overflow tube when you flush because there isn’t enough pressure in the tank to fill it back up again—or water may not come out at all!
This can cause problems if you have a low-level toilet tank because it might not get filled back up fast enough and cause overflow again when someone else tries to use their own toilet!
Cause #3: Float Ball Problems
The float ball detects whether there is enough water in the tank and maintains a constant water level.
If this part of the mechanism is not working correctly, then you may find that your toilet keeps running no matter how long you hold down the handle. This can be caused by debris getting caught in between components of the mechanism or for other reasons.
The most common issue with float balls is an improper installation where they were not placed correctly within their compartment.
A professional plumber in Burbank will be able to identify this issue quickly, do proper toilet installation, and fix it before any damage occurs.
Cause #4: Chain Issues
If your chain is broken or stretched out, it won’t be able to open and close properly. This means that whenever you flush your toilet, water will continue running into your bowl until it overflows onto the floor!
If this often happens enough—or if you have an especially large family—you may want to consider getting a new chain. They’re inexpensive and easy to install yourself! Just be sure you choose the right, skilled professional Burbank plumber to do the job.
Toilet Running All the Time Repair + How to Fix It
Now that you know some common causes that are keeping your toilet running all the time, it’s probably time to look at how to do toilet repair or fix it.
Here are a few ways you can use a toilet flange repair kit and try to fix your running toilet on your own:
Find the problem.
If you’ve observed your toilet running, it’s time to do some investigating to figure out why.
The first thing to look for is a small hole towards the top of the tank in the tank cover. If water is coming out of that hole, your toilet is leaking from above (and maybe below) the toilet seat.
But, if no water is coming from this hole, something is likely wrong with its internal workings. In such cases, look for other typical reasons and solutions for running toilets.
Check the Flapper
The flapper is the rubber plug that fits into the hole at the bottom of your toilet tank. It’s what allows water to flow into and out of your toilet bowl, so if it’s not working properly, you’ll have a running toilet.
Use a screwdriver to pry up the flapper to check if it’s worn out or cracked. If it is, replace it with one that matches your toilet model.
Adjust the Fill Valve
If you’re still having problems with a running toilet after replacing the flapper, you may need to adjust the fill valve inside your tank. To do this:
-Turn off your water supply
-Flush your toilet and let any remaining water drain from the tank
-Open up your tank lid and look for an adjustable knob (often called a “float ball”) on top of the valve assembly—this controls how high or low water fills up in your tank before shutting off automatically when full
-Use pliers or an adjustable wrench to loosen the screw on the float ball until water stops running into the tank while flushing; then tighten the screw back down again
Adjust the Float Ball
If your toilet is constantly running, the float ball might be out of adjustment. This can be adjusted by turning the knob on top of the tank counterclockwise until it stops flowing.
But you must be careful not to turn it too much because this might cause your tank to overflow.
The goal is to get it so that water only flows when you push down on the handle, then turn the knob back in until it stops.
Adjust the Chain
If your toilet is still running after adjusting the float ball, try tightening or loosening its chain.
If your chain is too loose, water will flow through without being stopped by the flapper when you flush. If your chain is too tight, no water will flow through until you flush again (which defeats the purpose).
To adjust your chain properly: use pliers or adjustable pliers to loosen or tighten it until there’s about an inch between them before they reach maximum tension. Then tighten one side and loosen another side.
If there’s no chain present at all (and no button for adjusting), then it might be time for something more drastic: calling a Burbank plumber for toilet flange repair!
Tried Everything? Now it’s time to Call a Professional to Permanent Fix Your Toilet.
Don’t be worried if your toilet won’t flush if it has a clog, a faulty valve, or any of the other million things that may go wrong with your toilet. We’re here to assist!
At Agent Rooter, we believe that everyone deserves a clean and efficient toilet. We understand that you may have tried every DIY option available, but some situations are just too big for one person to manage. That is why we provide Toilet Installation, Repair, and Maintenance services in Burbank, CA.
We have been in business for 20 years, and our team has extensive plumbing and drain-cleaning knowledge. Our plumbers are State of California certified and have received further training in areas such as sewage line repair and replacement.
We provide all types of plumbing services, including water heater repair & installation, faucets/toilets/sinks/showers installation or replacement, garbage disposals installation/repair/replacement, etc.
We also offer drain cleaning services which is one of the most important things in any home or business because if your drain becomes clogged, then it could lead to bigger issues down the road (like a flooded basement or even worse). So don’t let those pipes get clogged up! Call us today!