When you flush the toilet, it should stop refilling after a few moments. When it continues to run nonstop, however, it’s indicative of a problem somewhere in the system. There are a few reasons why you may need to consider plumbing repairs to resolve the problem. Here are three common culprits for a toilet that constantly runs.

Why Your Toilet Won’t Stop Running

1. Cracked Flapper

When you press the lever to flush the toilet, the lift arm inside the tank immediately elevates. As it does so, the chain lifts the toilet flapper up, which provides a space for water to rush into the toilet bowl. When a sufficient supply of water has exited the tank through the opening, the flapper simply comes back down and creates a seal to prevent more water from flowing into the bowl. Sometimes the flapper cracks, causing water to leak into the bowl. The solution is a quick plumbing repair: simply detach the flapper and put a new one in its place.  

2. Problematic Chain

Sometimes it’s not the flapper that needs plumbing repairs, but the chain that guides it upward. Occasionally it’s simply due to the length of the chain. When it’s too long, it can actually get stuck beneath the flapper, creating a small gap and causing the toilet to run continuously. It also may be too short, which means the flapper can’t seal the tank at all. You can try adjusting the chain to the appropriate length and tension. It shouldn’t be too snug or too loose.

3. Float Ball Concerns

The float ball is the balloon-like structure situated inside the tank. This vital component signals the toilet to stop running after the tank fills up with water after flushing. You can test to see if this is the culprit by lifting up the float arm. If this causes the constant running to stop, then it could be that the float ball simply isn’t sitting at a high enough point to stop the flow of water. You can try adjusting the float arm so that it doesn’t touch the side of the tank. If that doesn’t work, check the float ball for cracks or other visible damage. If the ball is damaged, you’ll need to replace it.

Homeowners throughout the St. Paul metropolitan area trust in the team at A & E Mechanical for all of their plumbing repair needs. You can count on them to resolve the problem if you aren’t sure about what it is, or if you don’t feel comfortable tackling the issue on your own. Based in Stillwater, MN, the company offers a variety of services designed to improve your comfort, including furnace and AC repairs and water heater replacement. Visit the website to find out more about how they can help you, or call (651) 342-0515 to schedule an appointment.