Hidden Plumbing Problems: What to Look for

Top Reasons Why Your Toilet Runs Continuously

8 November 2021

Herbert Chambers

Flushing the toilet is a three-part process. First, you will have a tank full of water. Secondly, the tank will become empty after flushing the water into the toilet bowl, pushing the waste into the sewer system. Lastly, a fresh supply of water will start filling the tank from the plumbing system.

When the tank fills up, the ball floats and causes the gasket to seal itself. When that happens, the toilet stops running. Therefore, a toilet that keeps running after the bowl is full of water is a cause for alarm. This issue can arise due to the following reasons. 

Problems with the Floatation System

Water from the tank can enter the bowl through the overflow tubing. This mainly happens when there is too much water in the tank. But it is possible to adjust the water level by changing the height of the float.

In this case, you should tighten the screw until its arm starts moving downward. If you are not sure that you can perform this adjustment correctly, hire a plumbing expert to help you out.

Worn Out Flapper

A worn-out flapper is another possible cause of leaking in the toilet. As the flapper ages, it loses its ability to seal properly. As a result, water will leak from the toilet tank into the bowl. You should remove the old flapper and replace it with a new one from a hardware store to remedy this situation. Attaching a new flapper is simple since all you need to do is connect the chain and then fix the pins.

Tube Problems

Having an inappropriately sized refill tube can lead to a constantly running toilet. It happens when you have long tubing poorly positioned inside the overflow tube. You can shorten the refill tube by trimming it with a sharp object. But ensure you measure out the new length to make sure that it fits the distance perfectly. If you shorten it too much, the pipe will stop creating a suction effect that fills the valve with water.

A Faulty Cup

The float cup usually detects when the water in the tank reaches the desired height. It cuts off the water supply when the water gets to the desired level. Some older models have a floating ball. Either way, replacing a worn-out cup or ball will fix the issue.

When faced with a leaking toilet, you should hire a competent plumber to check, troubleshoot and solve the issue. You will have more manageable water bills and an efficient toilet when professionals fix the problems. Find out more here or by going onto the website of a local plumbing contractor. 

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