Not only is it frustrating when a toilet runs, it is also a huge problem. A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day. It can even cause problems with your plumbing, floors and walls. A leaking faucet may waste less water, but it can still add up over time and result in damage to septic tanks and pipes in your home. So if you’re tired of paying high water bills or having to call the plumber out, it’s time to repair your toilet.
How Do You Repair a Toilet that Keeps Running
If you have a leaky or running toilet, there are several things you can do to get it repaired. Firstly, turn off the water valves under the sink. Then flush the toilet and look for leaks around the base of the tank or bowl. If no leaks are present, check under your sink for drips coming out of any hoses or connections. If there are no drips or leaks found under your sink then it could be possible that there is something wrong with your fill valve assembly inside your tank. This is because if there was nothing amiss with those hose pipes then your fill valve would not permit excess water into the bowl triggering it to overflow.
What are the Three Top Reasons for a Running Toilet
There are a number of reasons that your toilet might be running. Here are the 3 most common:
- The float ball is stuck in the up position. This is most typical with toilets that use a float ball to run the fill valve. If the float ball is stuck, it will allow water to fill the tank past its normal level. When the float ball falls back down, it will trigger the refill valve to turn on and refill the tank. This can result in a never-ending cycle of filling up until you fix it.
- The flapper valve isn’t sealing properly. The flapper valve lies near the bottom of your toilet tank, where it seals against a rubber gasket when you flush your toilet. Gradually, this rubber gasket wears and needs to be upgraded with a new one to guarantee proper function again.
- There’s excessive stuff in your bowl! In some cases individuals don’t realize how much stuff can get caught in their toilet bowls. This is particularly true if they have kids or pets who like to play in them! If too much toilet paper or other objects clog the pipes, it could cause them to run longer than normal. This is because they have to wait for water pressure to build enough to push it through.


Here are Four Ways to Stop a Running Toilet
The list of things that can go wrong with a toilet is long. But there are 4 common issues that you can fix yourself, and they’re all fairly easy to troubleshoot. Here are four ways to stop a running toilet yourself.
- Examine the fill tube. The fill tube is the pipe that connects the tank to the bowl. If this is not sealed correctly, water will leak into your home. This is normally caused by loose hardware or rusting connections.
- Inspect the float. Toilets have a float valve that controls when water enters into the tank and when it stops flowing into the bowl. If this is not operating properly, it can cause your toilet to run constantly. Examine and clean your float valve routinely to guarantee its proper operation.
- Examine the handle. If you have an older style toilet, there may be an issue with worn out parts in your flapper valve mechanism or handle assembly that is causing it to run constantly when flushed. Fortunately, changing these parts yourself is relatively easy and affordable! Simply follow these guidelines on how to change an old style handle assembly on a toilet tank lid and you should be great as new!
- Check the flapper. A running toilet can be caused by a malfunctioning flapper or chain. If the flapper doesn’t seal properly, water will continue to flow out of the tank and into the bowl despite the fact that you’ve flushed it. You can easily repair this problem by replacing the flapper with a new one from your neighborhood hardware shop or plumbing supply store.
Toilet Problems? Don’t Panic, Call A Pro!

If you’re having problems with your toilet or have noticed a leaky faucet, call the experts at Rocky Mountain Plumbing & Remodel. We provide plumbing service for both residential and commercial properties. Our highly trained technicians are readily available 24 hours a day and can be dispatched to your home or business within minutes of receiving your emergency plumbing service request. Call us today at (801) 790-0201 to find out more about our plumbing services in Lehi, Utah and the surrounding locations.