What to Do If Your Toilet Won’t Stop Running

We’ve all dealt with a toilet that won’t stop running. At first, it’s just an annoying noise. But if ignored, it’ll drain your wallet with high water bills. For Chicago homeowners, plumbing problems happen as houses get older. 

Few issues are as frustrating as a toilet that keeps flushing nonstop. That constant trickling sound drives you crazy. Worse, all that wasted water raises costs and strains your plumbing system. Don’t put up with a perpetually running toilet. Figure out what’s causing it and fix it quickly. Let’s look at the common reasons behind a runaway toilet and how to get your bathroom back in order.

Causes of a Running Toilet

When it comes to diagnosing that maddening running toilet, there are a few common culprits our team typically discovers as the root cause. Knowing what to look for can help you quickly identify and repair the issue yourself. Or at the very least, give you some insights to better explain the situation if you do need to call in a plumbing professional.

Faulty or Worn-Out Flapper

One of the most frequent offenders behind a perpetually flushing commode? A faulty or worn-out flapper. This little rubber gasket seals off the flush valve at the bottom of your toilet tank after each flush cycle. When it becomes stiff, cracked or misshapen over time, it fails to create that tight seal – allowing water to continuously trickle from the tank into the bowl.

An easy way to check the flapper is by taking the tank lid off and simply giving it a visual once-over. If it looks warped, crusty with mineral buildup or has any cracks, that’s likely the problem right there. You can also do a dye test by dropping some food coloring into the tank water and watching to see if it bleeds into the bowl before flushing.

Leaking Flush Valve

Another frequent running toilet trigger is a leaking flush valve itself. This is the main vertical component in the tank that the flapper hinges onto and lifts up during the flush cycle. If there are any cracks or deterioration in the valve gaskets and seals, water will constantly leak out and down into the bowl. Mineral buildup around the valve gaskets can also prevent a tight seal.

To inspect the flush valve, start by checking for any visible cracks or damage. You can also try giving it a gentle wiggle – if it seems loose or wiggles excessively, that’s a sign the valve may need adjusting or replacement. Flushing the toilet and watching for any water spraying up from the valve is another red flag.

Mineral Deposits

Over time, sediment and hard water mineral deposits can wreak havoc on the inside of your toilet tank too. As that gritty buildup accumulates, it prevents the various seals, valves and gaskets from closing properly – allowing that constant leakage. You’ll often see this crusty buildup caked around the flapper, flush valve and fill valve areas.

Old Fill Valve

Speaking of the fill valve, having an old or worn-out one can definitely contribute to running toilet syndrome as well. This is the component that automatically refills the tank after each flush. If it gets gunked up with mineral deposits or the valve flapper degrades, it may stay stuck in the “open” position – constantly allowing water to trickle into the overflow tube and down into the bowl.

Cracked Toilet Tank

Last but not least, a cracked toilet tank itself can lead to a running commode. Even the slightest hairline fracture in the porcelain allows water to continuously leak out, which then triggers that perpetual fill and flush cycle. This is a more serious issue, as those tank cracks tend to worsen over time until the entire tank needs replacement.

So there you have it – the five usual suspects behind a toilet that just won’t quit flushing. By taking a peek under the hood and doing a little basic inspection, you may be able to quickly identify the root cause. Of course, if you’re still not sure what the culprit is after checking those components, don’t hesitate to call in your local plumbing professionals for a second set of expert eyes on the situation.

Fixing a Running Toilet

Once you’ve identified the likely culprit behind your running toilet woes, it’s time to take action and get it back on track. Depending on the root cause, you may be able to make a simple repair yourself with some basic plumbing skills. For other more involved fixes, you may want to call in your trusted local plumbing pros. But either way, here’s a quick rundown on addressing some of the most common running toilet offenders:

Replacing the Flapper

If you discovered the flapper is the issue, replacing it is a relatively straightforward DIY job in most cases. Start by turning off the water supply to the toilet and flushing to drain the tank. Then simply unbolt or unclip the old flapper, clean off any mineral buildup, and install the new replacement flapper following the included instructions. Be sure to get the proper size to create a tight seal on your particular flush valve.

While you’re in there, use a plastic scouring pad to gently scrub off any hard water deposits around the flush valve and tank areas. This will help the fresh flapper seal properly. Once the new one is securely in place, turn the water back on and do a few test flushes to ensure no more running.

Flush Valve Adjusment

For a leaking flush valve itself, you may just need to give it a simple adjustment. Turn off the water supply and flush to empty the tank. Check that the valve is securely mounted at the base – tightening the mounting nuts if loose. You can also unclip the flapper and use a flat razor to clean off any gunk or mineral buildup on the valve gaskets and underside of the cap.

If adjusting and cleaning doesn’t solve the leak, you’ll likely need to replace the entire flush valve. This involves removing the old unit entirely, putting valve sealant on the new one, and following the installation instructions to attach the new flush valve securely. Replacing the flapper and valve at the same time is a common fix.

Clearing Hard Water Buildup

That pesky hard water buildup can often be cleared out with some good old-fashioned scrubbing using a toilet brush and store-bought remover solution. Let it soak for a while to dissolve the deposits, scrubbing thoroughly to loosen everything up. You may need to remove the components entirely for a really stubborn case. Installing a water softener can prevent future buildup issues.

Replacing the Fill Valve

For an old, worn-out fill valve, replacement is usually the best bet. Turn off the water, flush to empty the tank, disconnect the water line and unscrew the fill valve nut to remove the old unit. Follow the installation instructions to properly attach and set the height on the new fill valve and reconnect the water supply line. Adjust the fill level if needed by turning the top valve screw.

Fixing a Cracked Toilet Tank

Lastly, if you discover the porcelain tank itself has a crack causing the running, you have two options. For a small hairline crack, you can try using a porcelain repair epoxy designed for that purpose. But for larger cracks that keep worsening, it’s likely time to simply bite the bullet and replace the entire toilet tank – or even the whole toilet itself if the bowl is damaged too.

Of course, if you get in over your head or simply want to handle that running toilet the easy way, don’t hesitate to call in your local plumbing experts. A trustworthy professional can quickly diagnose the issue and make those repairs with skilled experience to ensure it’s done right. Either way, getting that running toilet fixed promptly will save you from wasting money and straining your home’s plumbing system further.

Don’t Let a Running Toilet Drain Your Patience (and Wallet)

There’s nothing that’ll drive you up the wall faster than a toilet that just won’t quit running. At first, it’s just an annoying trickle that catches your ear. But pretty soon, that incessant sound has you wondering if someone just left the bathroom faucet on full blast.

Before you know it, days or weeks have gone by and gallons upon gallons of water have been flushed straight down the drain. Your wallet’s taking a beating from those jacked-up utility costs too. And let’s not even get started on the strain that constant running puts on your home’s whole plumbing system over time.

The good news? Most perpetually running toilet cases can be solved by checking and fixing some usual suspects – the flapper, flush valve, fill valve, you know the main offenders. With a little basic plumbing know-how and elbow grease, you might just be able to get that runaway john back on track yourself.

But if you’ve already peeked under the tank lid and still can’t figure out what’s behind the endless flushing cycle, don’t be a hero. Call up a trustworthy local plumber to come take a look-see. An experienced professional will have that toilet situation diagnosed and repaired lickety-split.

Precision Today Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has been the go-to team for Chicagoland homeowners dealing with all types of plumbing headaches for almost a century now. Our certified plumbers have seen and fixed every toilet running issue under the sun. We’ll get your commode flowing right as rain again in no time flat.

Don’t let a running toilet drive you up a wall and drain your finances any longer than it needs to. Whether you fix it yourself or call in the pros, stop that water wastage and get your bathroom back to shipshape working order already! Give us a call at (630) 425-8995 today!