What to Do About a Running Toilet

While there are many situations in which you’ll need to call a plumber, there are also a number of plumbing repairs you can make yourself. At A Step Above Plumbing Inc., our team is committed to helping you keep your home in the best possible condition, and we offer the expert plumbing services you need to tackle any plumbing emergencies. However, we also want to spare you unnecessary expense, which is why we encourage our customers to try fixing minor problems on their own. In this article, we’ll go over how to fix one of the most common of these problems, namely, how to fix a running toilet.

• Check the Flapper- The most common cause of running toilets is a flapper that isn’t sealing properly. To see if this is the case with your toilet, use a stick to push the flapper down when you hear the water running and listen to check if it stops. If the water stops running, then the flapper is definitely the source of the problem and will need to be replaced. Shut off the water supply, unhook the old flapper, and install a new one according to the package directions.
• Check the Fill Valve- If the flapper is not the problem, we recommend checking the toilet’s valve for a leak. To do this, flush the toilet and lift up on the float arm to see if the water stops. The tank should stop filling when the water level is approximately one inch below the top of the overflow pipe, so shifting the float arm to that point should stop the leak if this is the problem. If the valve keeps leaking, you’ll need to replace it with a new one. Shut off and disconnect the water supply line and flush the toilet to drain the rest of the water. Unscrew the valve’s lock nut and remove it. Insert the replacement valve and tighten its lock nut according to the package instructions. Look at the critical level mark on the new valve and compare it to the height of your overflow pipe–if the top of the pipe is above that mark, you’ll need to shorten it with a hacksaw. Finish by reconnecting all the components, turning the water back on, and giving it a test flush. If all goes well, you will have fixed your running toilet.

If you have further questions or these tactics don’t fix the problem, don’t hesitate to give us a call at A Step Above Plumbing Inc.