(650) 342-5363
As a homeowner, nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a toilet that is constantly running. Besides the annoying rushing sound of water, it’s also a waste of energy and means the next person using the toilet will have issues flushing it. Making sure your toilet is working efficiently and reliably will prevent other toilet issues that require professional repair.
If your toilet is always running, it could be because of these three issues:
Leaking or Running Fill Tube
The fill tube is the component that replaces the water in the toilet bowl after the toilet has been flushed. It’s one of the most important parts of a working toilet. If the tube is leaking, the toilet bowl will have difficulty filling up, and the toilet will run constantly.
In addition to this, if the tube has become dislodged or moved, it may also cause problems. To check if your fill tube is working properly, open the tank and look to see if the end of the tube is above the water level in the tank.
Fill Valve Issues
The fill valve controls how much water is used to fill the tank after a flush and essentially prevents the toilet from overflowing. Different types of toilets use different mechanisms for the fill valve. Some toilets use a float device that works similar to a lever. When the toilet is flushed, the float device is lowered until it activates the fill valve and is refilled back to the normal height.
The second type of device uses a cylinder that moves up and down to activate the valve and allow water to refill the tank. If either one of these systems is malfunctioning or set too low, you may experience a constantly running toilet.
If the fill height is set too high, you will also experience issues in the form of a toilet that is always on the brink of overflowing. When it comes to the fill valve and setting the fill height, it’s always important to keep it at a happy medium.
Toilet Flapper Won’t Seal
The toilet flapper is a rubber component in the toilet tank that opens to let water out of the toilet and then seals to let the tank refill. Problems with the toilet flapper not sealing properly will cause your toilet always to run.
If the flapper is worn out or misshapen, it will need to be replaced. Another important part of the flapper to troubleshoot is the chain. If the chain is too short, the flapper will not be able to close all the way, and your toilet will always run.
A constantly running toilet is an inconvenient and annoying plumbing problem, but it’s often a simple fix and requires minimal work to get the job done.
If your toilet is constantly running and you need help diagnosing or repairing the problem, call James Caccia Plumbing Inc. in San Mateo, CA at 650-342-5363 today for professional advice.