How to fix a running toilet (and when to call us)
The short answer
Nine times in ten it is the flapper. Check it first: it is a cheap part and a ten-minute job. Call us if the tank still runs afterwards.
Why a toilet keeps running
Water is leaking from the tank into the bowl, so the tank keeps refilling. The usual cause is a flapper that no longer seals.
- A worn or warped flapper
- A fill valve that will not shut off
- A chain that is too short or tangled
How to check the flapper
Turn off the water at the valve behind the toilet, flush, and look at the rubber flapper at the bottom of the tank. If it is stiff, cracked or slimy, replace it.
- Shut off the water
- Flush to empty the tank
- Unhook the old flapper and fit the new one
When to call a plumber
If a new flapper does not stop it, the fill valve or the flush valve seat is the likely cause. See our drain and fixture services or the guidance from the EPA on household leaks.
Common questions
- Is a running toilet an emergency?
- No. It wastes water, but it will not flood your home. Turn the valve off if you want it to stop until it is fixed.
- Can I replace a flapper myself?
- Yes. It needs no tools and takes about ten minutes.