How to Fix a Running Toilet

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

It’s a necessity in every residential and commercial building: the toilet.  Proper toilet and plumbing maintenance are essential for helping to protect your property from the risk of water damage, but all too often, people find that their toilet just won’t stop running!  Fortunately, a running toilet is often a simple fix, with one of these three most common causes:

1. A Broken or Dirty Flapper. The flapper is the rubber piece inside of the tank that stops the water from going down into the bowl.  This flapper is regulated by the flushing handle, attached to a chain.  If the flapper becomes damaged, warped, or soiled, the hole to the bowl will not seal properly, allowing the toilet to run continuously.  By turning off the water to the toilet, draining the tank, and inspecting the flapper, you can determine if cleaning or replacement will be necessary.
2. Improper Chain Length. The chain between the flushing handle and the flapper must be the proper length to allow the flapper to seal properly after flushing.  If the chain is too short, the flapper will not be able to settle into the proper position to seal the toilet tank from the bowl.  Checking the chain for any damages, and adjusting the length if needed, can help correct any running toilet issues.
3. Float Out of Position. This float regulates the water level within the toilet tank and is often accompanied by a fill level indication on the tank.  If the float is positioned too high, this will allow too much water into the tank, which will continually cause the toilet to run. 

Not only can fixing your running toilet help reduce the risk of a water damage, but it can also save quite a bit of money on you water bill.  If your toilet, or any other commercial or residential appliance, does happen to cause your home or business a water damage, know that SERVPRO of South Albany County is equipped and prepared to help.  We have been serving the cleanup and restoration needs of Albany for over 20 years, giving us the experience, training, and expertise to handle damages of all sizes.