You use your toilet system daily, and its primary function is to take human waste and dispose of it in a sanitary manner. Because of the constant use, you can experience common problems with your toilet. A running toilet, blockages, leaks from the bathroom base, cracked cisterns, and a constantly running flush mechanism are typical situations homeowners will experience with their toilet system.
How Do Toilets Operate?
Your toilet system works by taking waste and water into one bowl. When flushed, the mechanism sucks the water and waste down a pipe connected to your sewerage drain. Your toilet is made up of different parts and components. Let’s start with the tank:
- Blush button/handle
- Toilet Flapper
- Float Ball
- Valve
- Overflow tube
- Refill tube or overflow pipe or fill tube
The flush handle is connected to an arm with a chain attached to the flapper. The flapper covers a hole that allows water to enter and drain the bowl. A float ball is connected to the flush valve.
To flush the toilet mechanism, you pull on the handle or chain. This will draw on the flapper, open the hole, and allow water to drain into the bowl. When the water level gets low, the toilet flapper will close due to insufficient water supply and not trigger the flapper.
The float ball sits on top of the water, so when you flush the toilet and the water level begins to drop, the column float attached to both the valve and flapper chain will open up. Water from the water supply will then start to refill the tank. This is because the float valve is open and filling the tank again.
Why Does My Toilet Keep Running?
It can happen that when you flush, the water keeps running in your toilet bowl. When a toilet doesn’t stop running after a normal flush cycle, it can be frustrating to hear a constant trickle of water. If you think of a running toilet as an internal leak, inspect the parts inside the tank and examine their condition. There are a few common causes for a running toilet:
- Cracked or faulty toilet flapper
- The toilet flapper chain is too long or short
- Float ball too big or small
- The flush button or lever is stuck or loose
5 Tips To Stop A Toilet From Running
If you wish to investigate the issue with a running toilet, there are some tools you will need. Tools for your running toilet can be purchased at your local hardware store:
- Cutting Pliers
- Flathead and Phillips screwdriver
- Pliers
- Replacement fill valve
- Replacement of toilet flapper
If you are confident in carrying out basic toilet repairs, like fixing a running toilet, the simple step-by-step instructions listed below can help you fix your leaking toilet.
Turn off the water supply.
Before you begin your running toilet project, stop the water supply line before commencing work on the toilet. You can find the shutoff valve below the toilet bowl. To carry out any work in a bathroom, stopping water from entering and leaving the toilet tank is crucial to access the different parts, such as flush valves and flat balls. Ensure that there’s no remaining water when you do your work.
Inspect the fill valve
Remove the toilet tank lid. By removing the cover, you can better inspect the different parts associated with the cistern or for excess water in the top tank. Thoroughly clean the fill valve with warm water and soap. Reattach the lid and turn the water back on to ensure no leaks.
Inspect the float arm and lift rod
You need to lower the float ball. The float arm should be straight and attached to the fill valve and the ball. If the ball is loose or not in line with the component, it needs replacing. The lift rod must allow the rubber flapper to position itself correctly into the opening. You can adjust the rod or purchase a new flapper for a good seal.
Check the level of water in the tank.
Keeping the toilet tank water level 2.5 cm to 5 cm below the toilet overflow tube is best. If you need to adjust the height of the water inside the cistern, you can find a screw-on top of the float. Turning the screw left will lower the float and reduce the height of the water in the bowl.
Inspect the toilet flapper
Make sure you stop any water flow before carrying out this next step. The flapper must create an airtight seal on the opening, or it will cause water to keep running. Cleaning the flapper will indicate whether it is working correctly. Remove the old flapper and replace it with a new one. You can find a replacement by going to most home improvement stores and purchasing a new one.
Need a Plumbing Service?
When To Call A Professional
After several trips to the hardware store and trying these methods, and your toilet keeps running, it might be a good idea to call an expert plumber. An experienced plumbing team understands your toilet mechanism and can repair the issues with your toilet, such as blockages, leaks, and broken flush buttons. It is best to call a fully licensed plumber with the experience to fix your constantly running toilet, replace parts (float cup, valve seal, toilet flappers, refill valve, lift arm, lift wire, etc.), unblock the toilet, and know how a toilet system works.
If you also encounter other toilet problems besides running toilets, there will be signs you need to watch out for to tell you’re in immediate need of toilet repairs. Pay close attention and listen to any gurgling or suctioning noises from other bathroom fixtures, such as the sink or the shower. If you check the toilet’s metal components and see rust or corrosion, the parts have worn out and need replacement. Don’t delay, for rust spreads throughout multiple parts.
Leaks are the most severe symptoms of a faulty toilet, and you must act as soon as you see them. This will not only prevent skyrocketing water bills, but it can also create further issues, such as water waste, mould, and structural damage.
If you need to flush multiple times to finish the job, there is likely an issue with the mechanism that handles your flushing, clogged water jets and low water pressure. If clogging occurs more than once a week, your toilet might have an issue. Call your trusted expert plumber to repair your Sydney toilet sooner.
Getting Expert Plumbing Help
When you flush the toilet, you expect it to stop running after a few seconds. If the bowl keeps running, other problems could need to be quickly managed. If you don’t fix a running toilet, this may cause issues for different parts of your plumbing system. Also, think of the wasted water and a spike in your water bill.
There are many plumbing companies, but you need to find the right local plumber from a reputable company to solve the problem correctly the first time. You need a trusted local plumber who can solve your plumbing problems correctly and permanently stop a running toilet. Solve your plumbing issues the right way and have a stress-free home again.
If you have any questions or need help with your running toilet, contact us today!
