In the world of modern plumbing, one of the most important household fixtures is a toilet. However, just like any other plumbing fixture, prolonged use can lead to wear and tear issues. One of the most frequent plumbing problems homeowners encounter is a running toilet that won’t stop.
While a running toilet can be rather annoying, the resulting water bill can be downright shocking.
Here’s why your toilet may run, as well as what you can do about it.
How Does a Toilet Work?
Even though we use toilets every day, we hardly ever stop to think about how they work. You only start to notice them when something isn’t right. A toilet might seem complicated, but breaking it down into its main parts can help you understand it better.
The two main parts of a toilet are the tank and the bowl. The bowl is where the water goes and it connects to a drain that flushes the water away. The tank, on the other hand, stores extra water to refill the bowl after each flush. Inside the tank are important parts like the flapper. If the flapper stops sealing properly, your toilet might start running continuously. Other parts like the fill valve, flapper chain, toilet handle, or water level could also cause these issues.
Why Does My Toilet Randomly Run?
Before you can fix your toilet, you need to figure out what’s wrong. The sound of running water usually means there’s a leak somewhere. The flapper or the toilet fill valve could be worn out, which is a common cause. However, there might be other things to consider, and sometimes more than one issue is responsible.
If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your toilet, or you’re not experienced with fixing it, it’s best to call a professional. It’s important because trying to fix it without knowing what you’re doing could lead to further problems.
How to Fix a Toilet That Runs Randomly
Fixing a toilet and finding out what’s wrong are two different steps. You need to correctly identify the problem first. Then, you can address the root cause. For example, if the water level rises too high and flows into the overflow pipe, you might need to clean your fill valve. Sometimes, the problem has nothing to do with inside the toilet and might be because the handle is sticking.
If you’re still unsure or haven’t fixed the problem successfully, calling a professional expert is a smart choice. It might seem like spending money, but it will save you money in the long run. Professionals can prevent accidental damage you might cause by trying to fix it yourself.
Will a Running Toilet Increase My Water Bill?
Unfortunately, many don’t realize the consequences of a running toilet until they receive their water bill. In fact, a running toilet is the most common cause for a high water bill, and in many instances, the total can be rather shocking. Although toilets are now considered to be “low flush” (due to the Energy Policy Act of 1992), they still use a lot of water. Nearly 24 percent of water used in an average home is to flush toilets.
How much your water bill increases will depend on whether the problem is a running toilet or a leaking flapper. If it’s a leaking flapper, you may waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. This can double your typical water bill. However, a running toilet can water up to 4.5 gallons per minute, which can be as costly as $60 per day. That is why it’s imperative that you fix your running toilet as soon as you become aware of the issue.
Can a Running Toilet Cause a Leak?
Aside from increasing your water bill, a running toilet could lead to a leak. A crack in the fill valve could cause a leak, making your tank fill slowly and run constantly. To check for a leak, try this: put 10 drops of food coloring in the tank, wait 20 minutes without flushing, and see if the bowl water changes color. If it does, you have a leak.
Although most leaks stay in the toilet, a small crack could damage your floor. Even minor leaks can cause unseen damage over time.
Related: 6 Silent Signs Your House Has Plumbing Problems
Why Does My Toilet Run By Itself So Long After Flushing?
Various issues might cause your toilet to keep running long after you’ve flushed. The flapper might not seal properly, the chain connecting the flapper might be the wrong length, the fill valve could be leaking, or other problems might be at play.
How Black Diamond Experts Can Help
If you notice your toilet making noise and suspect it’s running, don’t just leave it. After a quick check, if you’re not comfortable fixing it, Black Diamond Experts can help. We provide toilet installation and repair services. Our award-winning team includes plumbers, electricians, heating, and air conditioning technicians. Besides toilets, we install, repair, and maintain water heaters, showers, garbage disposals, and faucets. We also unclog drains and repair sewer lines. We stand by our work with a guarantee and offer clear pricing.
Servicing the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, Utah County, Odgen and the surrounding areas, and St. George, we are open 24/7. No job is too small. Don’t let a running toilet drive up your water bill — contact us today!
