How to Stop a Toilet from Running: A Simple Guide to Fixing a Common Plumbing Problem

A running toilet, whether it’s a slow trickle or a constant stream of water, is not only annoying but can also waste a significant amount of water, leading to higher utility bills. If you’ve ever found yourself listening to the continuous sound of a running toilet, you’re probably wondering how to stop a toilet from running.

There’s all sorts of guides out there that’ll tell you how to fix toilet tank water leaks in your Sydney home. Do you need to call your local plumbing contractors, or is this a job that you don’t need a professional plumber for?

Luckily, this is a relatively easy fix that doesn’t always require special tools or a plumber. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the steps to identify and resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.

Why Is Your Toilet Running?

A constantly running toilet is a big problem that you can’t ignore but also one of the most common plumbing issues we face. Firstly, it wastes a huge amount of water, and therefore money, but what you’re most likely to notice is the noise! There’s no getting to sleep if it sounds like there’s a small waterfall in your bathroom. But it can be an easy thing to fix, and shouldn’t take you more than an hour or so.

Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s important to understand why your toilet might be running. The most common reasons include:

• Faulty Flapper: The rubber flapper at the bottom of the tank can become worn or misaligned, allowing water to leak from the tank into the bowl.
• Malfunctioning Fill Valve: If the fill valve isn’t shutting off properly, it will continue to send water into the tank, causing the toilet to run.
• Clogged or Obstructed Overflow Tube: A blocked overflow tube can prevent the tank from refilling properly, causing constant running water.
• Incorrect Float Settings: The float controls the water level in the tank. If it’s set too high, water will continuously spill into the overflow tube, leading to a running toilet.

The first thing to check is the flapper valve – this is the little rubber valve that allows the flush action of your toilet to occur, as well as stop. It’s the most common cause of a non-stop flushing toilet, as the valve does wear out over time. To check your flapper valve, open up the cistern and pull out the siphon. Sometimes, your flapper valve just needs a little cleaning rather than replacing, so run your finger around the valve and siphon looking for lumps and bumps that could be dirt or limescale. However, if you feel large bulges or distortions, you’ll need to install a new flapper valve.

How to Stop a Toilet from Running: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Check the Flapper Valve

The flapper valve is one of the most common toilet culprits of a running toilet. Over time, it can become worn, cracked, or misaligned. If it’s not sealing properly, water will continuously leak from the tank into the bowl, causing the toilet to run.

Steps to fix it:

• Turn off the water supply to the toilet by locating the shut-off valve behind the toilet.
• Remove the tank lid and inspect the flapper. If it looks damaged or doesn’t seal properly when closed, it’s time to replace it.
• Replace the flapper by purchasing a new one from a hardware store and following the instructions for installation. It is a good idea to get the exact flapper you had previously.
• Test the toilet by turning the water back on and checking if the running sound is gone.

2. Adjust the Fill Valve or Replace It

If the fill valve is malfunctioning, it could cause the toilet to run continuously. The fill valve controls the flow of water into the tank after a flush, and if it doesn’t shut off when the tank is full, water will keep flowing, meaning you have a faulty fill valve on your hands.

Steps to fix it:

• Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
• Remove the tank lid and inspect the fill valve for any visible issues, such as debris or damage.
• If the valve is adjustable, try adjusting the float to ensure the water level is not too high.
• If adjusting the float doesn’t help, you may need to replace the fill valve. Turn the water supply off, disconnect the supply line, remove the old valve, and install the new one following the manufacturer’s instructions for valve assembly.

3. Inspect the Overflow Tube

The overflow tube prevents the toilet tank from overflowing by redirecting excess water into the bowl. If the overflow tube is clogged or obstructed, it can cause the toilet to run constantly.

Steps to fix it:

• Turn off the water supply and inspect the overflow tube for any visible debris or obstructions.
• Clear any blockages using a small brush or cloth.
• Check the height of the overflow tube. If it’s set too low, it might cause the water level to rise too high. Adjust it as needed, ensuring the water doesn’t spill into the tube.

4. Check the Toilet Float Settings

The second most common cause for a constantly running toilet is  the float ball sitting too high. The float ball, from the name obviously, is the ball that floats in your cistern. If it’s too high, it can push water down the overflow pipe, creating your running problem. This too is an easy fix – just reposition the float ball by gently bending the arm till it no longer pushing water down the pipe.

The adjustable float is a device that controls the correct water level in the tank. If it’s set too high, water will continuously flow into the overflow tube, causing your toilet to run. Adjusting the float is often an easy fix.

Steps to fix it:

• Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
• Lift the tank lid and locate the float mechanism (it may be a ball float or a cylinder float).
• Adjust the float by either bending the arm (for a ball float) or turning the adjustment screw (for a cylinder float) to lower the water level.
• Test the water level by turning the water supply back on. Ensure it stops just below the top of the overflow tube.

5. Replace Old or Worn Parts

Over time, parts inside the toilet tank can wear out or become corroded. If you’ve tried all the above solutions and the toilet is still running, it might be time to replace the internal parts like the flapper, fill valve, or float assembly. You may even have an increasingly weak flush over time.

Steps to fix it:

• Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
• Remove the tank lid and inspect the parts inside the tank.
• Replace any worn or damaged components with new ones from your local hardware store.
• Reassemble the parts and test the toilet for proper operation.

Finally, your problem could be being caused by the chain. This chain connects the arm lever to the flapper valve. When the chain is too short, the flapper valve is always left a little open, letting water sneak through. It’s an easy fix – just replace the chain with a longer one. However, most Australian homes have dual flush rather than chains these days, so this probably isn’t the cause of your ever-running toilet if you’ve got a modern toilet system.

Final Thoughts

A running toilet can be a frustrating and wasteful problem, but with a little troubleshooting, you can usually resolve it yourself. Whether it’s a faulty flapper, a malfunctioning fill valve, or a simple float adjustment, learning how to stop a toilet from running can save you time, money, and water.

If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber. Sometimes, a more serious issue requires expert attention. However, with these simple fixes, you can likely stop the toilet from running and enjoy a quieter, more efficient bathroom.

By following these steps on how to stop a toilet bowl from running, you’ll not only fix the problem quickly but also improve the efficiency of your plumbing system. Happy plumbing!

If all else fails, it’s time to call in your local expert plumber to fix your toilet issue on 02 9649 1099.