What Causes a Toilet to Run Periodically?

AvatarByLiana Farrell Toilet Queries

Have you ever wondered what causes your toilet to run periodically? It can be a frustrating and even embarrassing problem, especially if it happens in the middle of the night or when you’re not home. There are a few different things that could be causing your toilet to run, and in this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes and how to fix them.

We’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent your toilet from running in the future. So if you’re tired of dealing with a running toilet, read on for all the information you need!

Cause Symptoms Solution
Low water pressure Toilet runs slowly or intermittently Check the water pressure at the faucets in your home. If the pressure is low, you may need to contact your local water provider.
Clogged toilet Toilet runs constantly or overflows Try to plunge the toilet to clear the clog. If that doesn’t work, you may need to hire a plumber to snake the drain.
Damaged flapper valve Toilet runs constantly Replace the flapper valve. This is a relatively easy DIY project.
Damaged fill valve Toilet runs constantly or intermittently Replace the fill valve. This is a more difficult DIY project, but it can be done if you’re comfortable working with plumbing.

A running toilet can be a major nuisance, wasting water and money. It can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as a leak. If you have a running toilet, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible.

This article will discuss the causes of a running toilet and how to fix it. We’ll also provide tips on how to prevent future problems.

Causes of a Running Toilet

There are a number of different things that can cause a toilet to run. The most common causes include:

  • Leaking flapper valve. The flapper valve is a rubber disk that sits in the bottom of the toilet tank. It opens to allow water to flow into the bowl when you flush the toilet, and it closes to stop the water flow when you’re finished. If the flapper valve is leaking, it will allow water to continuously flow into the bowl, even when the toilet is not being flushed.
  • Damaged or stuck float. The float is a small plastic or metal ball that floats on the water in the toilet tank. It controls the level of water in the tank. When the water level reaches a certain point, the float activates the fill valve, which allows more water to flow into the tank. If the float is damaged or stuck, it may not be able to properly control the water level, which can lead to a running toilet.
  • Clogged toilet bowl. A clogged toilet bowl can prevent the water from properly draining, which can cause the toilet to run continuously. Clogs can be caused by a variety of things, such as:
  • Toilet paper
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Pet hair
  • Soap scum
  • Grease
  • Clogged toilet drain. A clogged toilet drain can also prevent the water from properly draining, which can lead to a running toilet. Clogs in the drain can be caused by a variety of things, such as:
  • Hair
  • Soap scum
  • Grease
  • Tree roots
  • Other possible causes. There are a few other possible causes of a running toilet, such as:
  • A broken fill valve
  • A broken flush valve
  • A faulty water supply line
  • A problem with the toilet’s plumbing

How to Fix a Running Toilet

If you have a running toilet, it’s important to fix it as soon as possible. You can usually fix a running toilet yourself by following these steps:

1. Check the flapper valve. The flapper valve is the most common cause of a running toilet. To check the flapper valve, you will need to turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush the toilet. Once the toilet is empty, you can lift up the lid of the toilet tank and look at the flapper valve. If the flapper valve is leaking, you will need to replace it.
2. Check the float. The float is another common cause of a running toilet. To check the float, you will need to turn off the water supply to the toilet and flush the toilet. Once the toilet is empty, you can look at the float. If the float is damaged or stuck, you will need to replace it.
3. Clean the toilet bowl. A clogged toilet bowl can also cause a running toilet. To clean the toilet bowl, you will need to remove the toilet bowl brush and use a plunger to clear the clog.
4. Clear the toilet drain. A clogged toilet drain can also cause a running toilet. To clear the toilet drain, you will need to use a plumber’s snake to remove the clog.
5. Check for other possible causes. If you have checked the flapper valve, the float, the toilet bowl, and the toilet drain and you still have a running toilet, there may be another cause of the problem. You may need to call a plumber to help you identify and fix the problem.

A running toilet can be a major nuisance, but it’s usually a simple fix. By following the steps in this article, you can usually fix a running toilet yourself. If you have checked the flapper valve, the float, the toilet bowl, and the toilet drain and you still have a running toilet, you may need to call a plumber to help you identify and fix the problem.

Additional Tips for Preventing Future Problems

In addition to following the steps in this article to fix a running toilet, you can also take steps to prevent future problems. Here are a few tips:

  • Flush the toilet gently. When you flush the toilet, don’t slam the lid down. This can damage the flapper valve and cause it to leak.

* **Don’t put too much toilet paper in the toilet

What Causes a Toilet to Run Periodically?

There are a few different things that can cause a toilet to run periodically. Some of the most common causes include:

  • A leaky flapper valve: The flapper valve is a rubber disk that sits in the drain hole of the toilet tank. When you flush the toilet, the flapper valve opens to allow water from the tank to flow into the bowl. If the flapper valve is not sealing properly, it can allow water to leak out of the tank and into the bowl, causing the toilet to run.
  • A clogged toilet: If the toilet is clogged, it can prevent the flapper valve from closing properly, which can also cause the toilet to run.
  • A faulty fill valve: The fill valve is a valve that controls the amount of water that flows into the toilet tank. If the fill valve is not working properly, it can cause the tank to overflow, which can also lead to a running toilet.
  • A faulty float: The float is a small device that floats on the water in the toilet tank. The float controls the level of water in the tank. If the float is not working properly, it can cause the tank to overflow, which can also lead to a running toilet.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

If you find that your toilet is running periodically, there are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem. Here are a few steps:

1. Check the flapper valve: The flapper valve is the most common cause of a running toilet. To check the flapper valve, first turn off the water supply to the toilet. Then, lift the lid of the toilet tank and look at the flapper valve. If the flapper valve is not sealing properly, you can try to clean it or replace it.
2. Check for a clogged toilet: If the flapper valve is sealing properly, the next thing you should check is for a clogged toilet. To check for a clogged toilet, first flush the toilet. If the toilet does not flush all the way, or if the water level in the bowl does not go down, you may have a clogged toilet. You can try to unclog the toilet yourself using a plunger or a toilet auger. If you are unable to unclog the toilet yourself, you may need to call a plumber.
3. Check the fill valve: The fill valve is the valve that controls the amount of water that flows into the toilet tank. If the fill valve is not working properly, it can cause the tank to overflow, which can lead to a running toilet. To check the fill valve, first turn off the water supply to the toilet. Then, remove the fill valve from the toilet tank. If the fill valve is not working properly, you can try to clean it or replace it.
4. Check the float: The float is a small device that floats on the water in the toilet tank. The float controls the level of water in the tank. If the float is not working properly, it can cause the tank to overflow, which can lead to a running toilet. To check the float, first turn off the water supply to the toilet. Then, lift the lid of the toilet tank and look at the float. If the float is not floating properly, you can try to adjust it or replace it.

If you have tried all of these steps and your toilet is still running, you may need to call a plumber.

Tips for Preventing a Running Toilet

There are a few things you can do to help prevent a running toilet:

  • Install a high-quality toilet flapper valve: A high-quality toilet flapper valve is less likely to leak than a low-quality flapper valve.
  • Adjust the float so that it is not too high: If the float is too high, it can cause the tank to overflow, which can lead to a running toilet.
  • Clean the toilet bowl regularly: A dirty toilet bowl can clog the drain, which can also lead to a running toilet.
  • Flush the toilet gently: Flushing the toilet gently can help to prevent the flapper valve from leaking.
  • Avoid flushing non-flushable items: Flushing non-flushable items, such as paper towels, can clog the drain and lead to a running toilet.

When to Call a Plumber

If you cannot fix the running toilet yourself, or if the toilet is leaking excessively, overflowing, or making strange noises, you should call a plumber. A plumber can diagnose the problem and fix it quickly and efficiently.

A running toilet can be a nuisance, but it is usually easy to fix. By following

What Causes a Toilet to Run Periodically?

There are a few common causes for a toilet to run periodically. These include:

  • A leaky flapper valve: The flapper valve is a rubber seal that sits in the bottom of the toilet tank and controls the flow of water into the bowl. If the flapper valve is worn or damaged, it can leak water into the bowl, causing the toilet to run continuously.
  • A clogged toilet: A clogged toilet can also cause the toilet to run periodically. When the toilet is flushed, the water level in the tank rises and pushes the flapper valve open. If the toilet is clogged, the water cannot drain properly and the flapper valve will continue to open and close, causing the toilet to run.
  • A faulty fill valve: The fill valve is a valve that controls the amount of water that flows into the toilet tank. If the fill valve is faulty, it can cause the toilet to run continuously.
  • A kinked water supply line: The water supply line that connects the toilet to the main water supply can become kinked, which can restrict the flow of water and cause the toilet to run periodically.

How Can I Fix a Toilet That Runs Periodically?

To fix a toilet that runs periodically, you will need to identify the cause of the leak. Once you have identified the cause, you can follow the steps below to fix the problem:

  • Replace the flapper valve: If the flapper valve is worn or damaged, you will need to replace it. To do this, you will need to turn off the water supply to the toilet, remove the old flapper valve, and install the new one.
  • Clear the clog: If the toilet is clogged, you will need to clear the clog. To do this, you can use a plunger, a toilet auger, or a drain cleaner.
  • Replace the fill valve: If the fill valve is faulty, you will need to replace it. To do this, you will need to turn off the water supply to the toilet, remove the old fill valve, and install the new one.
  • Fix the kinked water supply line: If the water supply line is kinked, you will need to straighten it out. To do this, you may need to remove the water supply line from the toilet and reconnect it.

How Can I Prevent a Toilet from Running Periodically?

To prevent a toilet from running periodically, you can take the following steps:

  • Inspect the flapper valve regularly: The flapper valve is a common cause of toilet leaks. To prevent leaks, you should inspect the flapper valve regularly and replace it if it is worn or damaged.
  • Flush the toilet gently: When you flush the toilet, you should do so gently. Flushing the toilet too forcefully can cause the flapper valve to open too wide and allow water to leak into the bowl.
  • Keep the toilet clean: A dirty toilet can become clogged, which can cause the toilet to run periodically. To prevent clogs, you should clean the toilet regularly.
  • Inspect the water supply line regularly: The water supply line can become kinked, which can restrict the flow of water and cause the toilet to run periodically. To prevent kinks, you should inspect the water supply line regularly and straighten it out if necessary.

By following these tips, you can help prevent your toilet from running periodically.

there are a number of potential causes for a toilet that runs periodically. The most common cause is a faulty flapper valve, which can be easily replaced. Other possible causes include a clogged toilet, a leaking tank, or a problem with the fill valve. If you are unable to identify and fix the cause of the problem yourself, it is best to call a plumber for assistance.

Here are some key takeaways from this article:

  • A toilet that runs periodically can waste a significant amount of water and money.
  • The most common cause of a running toilet is a faulty flapper valve.
  • Other possible causes of a running toilet include a clogged toilet, a leaking tank, or a problem with the fill valve.
  • If you are unable to identify and fix the cause of the problem yourself, it is best to call a plumber for assistance.

Author Profile

Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell
Liana Farrell is the owner of toiletty.com. She is a mom of two and is very passionate about home improvement.

Liana has ten years of home improvement experience, and in her own words, she said: “I love improving the home, and I’m very passionate about keeping the home in the best possible condition. I love it!”

Liana Farrell balances beauty and functionality when she goes about her home improvement jobs.