Toilet constantly running
Answer: call a plumber.
A toilet that never stops running is more than an annoyance — it can waste 200 gallons of water per day and add hundreds of dollars to your utility bill each quarter. The most common cause is a worn-out flapper valve that no longer seals tightly against the flush valve seat, allowing water to trickle continuously from the tank into the bowl. Other frequent culprits include a faulty fill valve that does not shut off at the correct water level, a waterlogged float that sits too low or too high, or a corroded overflow tube. In older toilets the flush handle linkage can also stretch or tangle, holding the flapper partially open. A licensed plumber can diagnose the exact component at fault, replace the flapper, fill valve, or entire flush assembly, and verify that the tank refills to the manufacturer-recommended line without cycling. Addressing the issue promptly prevents wasted water, avoids potential mold growth from constant condensation on the tank, and restores quiet operation to your bathroom.
Who to call
For this problem, call a: Plumber
Symptoms to look for
- You can hear water running in the toilet tank long after the last flush
- The toilet occasionally phantom-flushes on its own without anyone using it
- Jiggling the flush handle temporarily stops the running sound
- Water bill has increased noticeably with no change in household usage
- Condensation forms on the outside of the tank from constant cold water flow