As you’re nodding off to sleep, you hear a sound that shakes you from your reverie. Water is running somewhere in the house! This is one of the most alarming sounds a homeowner can hear. Luckily, it’s not a serious issue if you narrow it down to your toilet. If your toilet runs for no reason, come take a tour of the possible culprits with the pros at Solution Based Plumbing, Heating & A/C!
Chain Reaction
One of the most common causes for a toilet that runs for no reason is an improperly adjusted or damaged flush chain. When installed correctly, the flush chain pulls the flapper up when you push down on the toilet tank lever. If, however, the flush chain is too short, the flapper will never truly seal, and water will constantly escape from the tank into the bowl below. This is typically an easy fix, and is only a simple chain adjustment or replacement away from a problem solved.
Flaws In The Flapper
If you find that your flush chain is functioning flawlessly, it could be that the issue lies with the flapper itself. Because toilet flappers spend their lifetimes submerged in warm water, the buildup of mold, mildew and sediment is to be expected. Such buildup can grow to the point of interference with the flapper seal. The end result will be similar to the chain problem above, and lead to a constantly running toilet (better go catch it!) due to an unsealed flapper. If you notice buildup, cracks or other types of damage that may be keeping your flapper from sealing the tank, a thorough cleaning or replacement should get you right back to a properly functioning flush!
If Your Toilet Runs For No Reason, Try A Float Adjustment
Another possible culprit for your randomly running toilet is excessive water in the tank. If there’s too much water in your tank, it will drain through the overflow tube, leading to the running water sound that’s caught your attention. To solve this problem, all you have to do is lower the water level in your tank by adjusting the float. Remember to leave yourself enough water to allow the toilet to flush!
A running toilet is not only annoying to listen to, it can also “run up” your water bill. If you’ve done your darndest to remedy your randomly running toilet with these simple DIY solutions, but still see no signs of relief, it’s time to call in the plumbing professionals. Solution Based Plumbing, Heating, and A/C has the plumbing experience you need to fix your troublesome toilet once and for all, so contact us today!