What to do about a running or leaky toilet

Whether you’re concerned about the environment or saving money on your utility bill, water saving techniques around the home make sense. It’s important to make sure that your home’s plumbing is in good working order to help you avoid unnecessary water consumption.

A common culprit for water waste around your home is a running toilet. Depending on the nature and severity of the leak you’re experiencing, you may be able to hear your toilet constantly running, but a leak in your toilet may be silent and more difficult to detect. Even if you don’t hear a problem, it’s important to make checking for water leaks a priority on your to do list.

A leak in your toilet can often be solved with a quick fix you can do yourself, but depending on the cause, it may be best to call a licensed plumber to inspect and solve the problem.

What Causes a Running Toilet?

One of the more common causes of a running toilet is when the flush valve in your toilet doesn’t seal tight. This allows water to leak through, even when not in use. Another common problem that leads to a leak in your toilet is a faulty fill valve. Much like your flush valve, the fill valve can become worn out overtime, or a large amount of mineral deposits can accumulate, causing the valve to become less effective and preventing it from completely turning off.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Running Toilet?

The most obvious sign of a running toilet is consistently hearing water running in the tank, even when the toilet is not in use. Not all leaks, however, are that easy to detect. To determine if you have a silent leak in your toilet, there are a few simple ways you can check yourself. One quick and easy way to check is to add a few drops of food colouring to the upper tank of your toilet. Wait 15-20 minutes while not flushing the toilet, then check the colour of the water in your toilet bowl. If the water is tinted you’re experiencing a toilet leak.

Don’t have food colouring lying around? You can also check for a leak in your toilet by inspecting the inside of your bowl with a flashlight. If you see continuous lines of water coming down the sides of your toilet bowl, that’s a sign of a leak.

What Do I Do If I’m Experiencing a Running Toilet?

If it’s time to replace your toilet flush valve or the fill valve in your tank you may be able to do so inexpensively yourself. Most local hardware stores offer the supplies and replacement parts needed to fix a running toilet. Be sure to always read and follow the manufacturer’s labels before replacing your toilet flush valve or fill valve.

If the problem persists, it may be time to call in a professional to help you identify and fix the problem with your toilet. It’s important to repair a toilet leak as soon as it’s detected to avoid water waste and limit the damage to your monthly water bill.

If you’re experiencing a plumbing issue call us today! And to help you make sure you and your home are always protected when an unexpected plumbing issue arises, learn more about our plumbing protection and maintenance plans.