Common Causes of a Running Toilet and How To Address Them

Toilets have more moving parts than you may think, which can lead to operational issues. If you are wondering why a toilet keeps running in your bathroom, asking a trusted plumber in Marietta, GA, will quickly reveal the right answer. 

In the meantime, learn more about the most common reasons a toilet might be running continuously and the steps expert plumbers can take for you.

Repairing Your Toilet With New Tank Parts

Many of the problems with a toilet that’s running constantly relate to the parts inside the tank that control the flushing mechanism and allow the tank to refill. When something fails, perhaps because of normal wear and tear, you might have a toilet that won’t shut off.

Here are some ideas for where to start looking:

Fill Valve Problem

The fill valve, also called the flush valve, eventually wears out. It controls the water flow and water level in the tank. 

When you press the flush handle, the water drains out of the tank and into the bowl. As water refills the tank, a float mechanism connected to the fill valve shuts off the water flow at the right time. A malfunctioning fill valve won’t stop the water at the right time, so replacing a broken one is important.

Flapper Problem

One of the most common reasons why a toilet keeps running is an issue with the flapper mechanism. The flapper lifts up so that you can flush the contents from the toilet bowl. Then, it drops down again to block water from leaking out of the tank and into the bowl. 

The flapper can wear out, which allows slow leaks, causing a running toilet. When the flapper stops working entirely, it can’t stop the water from running into the bowl continuously, and the tank will need to fill continuously to keep up. It may drive up your water bill at that point, too. 

Ask for Expert Help With Your Toilets

Some homeowners may want to try to fix a malfunctioning fill valve or flapper themselves, purchasing parts that match the model and design of the toilet. Unfortunately, even repairs that look simple enough can become complicated, especially where there’s sewerage involved. 

Marietta, GA, homeowners should let professional plumbers do this work for safety reasons. Teams like Absolute Plumbing Services are happy to help you find the right replacement parts for your toilet and install them. Whether you live near Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, or Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, locals who understand the traffic patterns in the Atlanta metro ensure on-time appointments and quick toilet repairs, so get in touch.

Checking the Toilet Itself

When you call plumbing experts to fix a running toilet, they’ll start with the parts inside the tank and then the toilet itself.

For a continuously running toilet, it’s possible that you have a broken tank seal leaking into the bowl. This type of leak allows water to escape the tank and go into the bowl (or onto the floor), leaving the tank to refill itself over and over. You could have a significant leak and flooring damage from a seal problem like this, so don’t delay scheduling repairs.

Why It’s Important To Fix Your Running Toilet in Marietta, GA

Understanding why a toilet keeps running isn’t as important as learning how to stop it if you’d like to avoid the following:

Wasted Water

A running toilet wastes water, leaving you with exorbitant water bills. The EPA says that a constantly running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water every day!

Stress on Sewer System

If your property in Marietta, GA, has a septic tank, a running toilet can needlessly stress the septic system. The excess water may cause the system to struggle to move water into the leach field properly, turning it into a veritable waste lagoon. 

So, your northwest Georgia residential property’s septic system won’t last long with a toilet that’s running constantly.

At Absolute Plumbing Services, We Will Keep Your Toilet in Top Condition at Your Marietta, GA, Home

Don’t let a toilet malfunction drive up your water bills or cause expensive water damage! If you’ve been wondering why a toilet keeps running, it’s time to call Absolute Plumbing Services’ licensed plumbers for help to get your bathroom appliance running perfectly again. Whether a flapper valve requires replacing or we’re dealing with pipe corrosions, we can help – give us a call today!

Call (678) 499-2124