how do you fix a toilet that keeps rising

Recommended fix: Check and adjust either the chain or the float.

1. Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet. ...
2. Watch the tank as it fills back up with water. ...
3. Locate the fill valve—whose purpose is to let water fill the tank until it reaches the desired level—directly above the spot where the water supply tube connects beneath the tank. ...
4. Find the fill-valve adjustment screw on the side near the top. ...

Full Answer

How do you fix a toilet that keeps running all the time?

Flush the toilet and let it refill and stop by itself. Check the water level. It should be about 1/2 to 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube. Adjust the float more, if necessary, and flush again, until the refill stops at the proper level. Water-logged floats can also cause constant running.

How do I lower the water level in my toilet tank?

To lower the water level inside the toilet tank, you will need to adjust the float rod or float cup. A float rod can be identified by the horizontal rod extending from the fill valve to a float ball, while a float cup is a small cylinder that wraps around the fill valve and slides up or down with the water level.

How do you adjust a float valve on a toilet?

Most float valves have an adjustable clip and rod mechanism that allows you to control the tank water level. If your toilet keeps running, the clip on the float valve rod may be too high, causing water to continue filling the tank, even if it’s full. Push the clip downward on the rod to the appropriate water level.

How do you fix a leaky toilet tank?

Start the replacement by turning the water off to the toilet with the isolation valve on the water inlet line, then drain the tank by flushing the toilet. Soak up the excess water with a cloth, towel, or sponge to make sure the tank is dry before removing the water supply line with a set of channel locks.

Why does the water keep rising in my toilet tank?

An overflowing toilet is caused by one of three things: a clogged or blocked drain that doesn't allow for a proper flush, an improperly adjusted float that allows the tank to overfill or a blocked vent pipe that replaces the air in the pipe after each flush.

What is the most common problem that occurs when the toilet won't stop running?

No need to worry, a running toilet is usually a simple fix. The three most common causes are a broken or dirty flapper, too long or too short of a chain between the flush lever and the flapper or a float that is out of position. The first thing you will need to do is turn off the water feeding into the toilet.

How do I know if my flapper is bad?

You may need a new flapper if: Your toilet bowl is running (if you have to jiggle the handle to make it stop, your flapper is probably bad) You touch the flapper and it starts to fall apart or rub off. The eyelet hole (where the chain hooks into the flapper) is torn.

How much does it cost to fix a running toilet?

According to Fixr, the average toilet valve repair cost is between $75 and $200 to replace a flush valve or up to $400 to fix a constantly running toilet. This includes the cost of the plumber's time for the toilet repair and the cost of the toilet parts.

5 Simple Reasons Your Toilet Keeps Running

Running toilets are an annoyance that almost everyone will deal with at some point. Your toilet could be continuously running for any of the following reasons (or a combination of these):

Fixing a Toilet That Keeps Running

If your toilet keeps running, a variety of issues could be to blame. Luckily, there are a few solutions accessible to an amateur plumber. But, if the steps below are a bust, you’ll need to consult a professional as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

A flapper that is deteriorated, is too big or too small, or has too short of a flush chain is the most common cause of a running toilet. During the troubleshooting process, when a toilet keeps running, check the flapper first.

When to Call a Pro

If you’ve tried all of the troubleshooting steps listed above and still can’t fix the problem, it’s time to consult the pros. Perhaps you’ll want to skip the troubleshooting phase altogether in favor of calling a professional.

So, What Do You Do If Your Toilet Keeps Running?

While the steps above are very likely to offer an easy solution, there are certain precautions and considerations you should take when performing amateur plumbing.

Introduction

Learn the simple four-step strategy that solves 95 percent of toilet flush problems. Stop water from constantly running, give a wimpy flush a boost, and solve other common problems quickly and easily.

Overview

Toilets haven’t changed much in the last 80 years. After a flush, water still fills a tank, lifting a float that shuts off the water when it reaches a certain level. A lever still opens a flapper to cause the flush, falling back into place when the water level drops.

Replace the Flapper

If you've completed the first three steps and your toilet keeps running, chances are you have a worn-out flapper. To learn how to stop a toilet from overflowing, turn off the water, remove the old flapper and take it to the store to find an exact replacement.

Faulty Flush Valve Seal

The flush valve seal/flapper is the plug that falls against the drain hole (flush valve drain seat) on the bottom of the tank and holds water in until the next time you flush. The work of the flapper is to control the amount of water released to the bowl.

Trap Way Obstruction

Any toilet blockage should be fixed as soon as possible unless you’re not interested in using the toilet. If the flapper is working fine, the trap should be the next explore. The vents can be looked into after you have cleared any clogs.

Blockage in the Vent

Another reason water may be rising when flushed is a blockage in the vent. The vent pipe could be obstructed by tree branches and leaves that block the path in the drainpipe consequently causing a blockage in the toilet.

Why is the Toilet Water Rising Before going Down When Flushed?

First off, there may be a momentary rising of water after a flush if there is a pressure difference between the water leaving the P-trap and what enters the bowl.

Excess water in Bowl Effects

Too much water in the bowl will make the toilet unusable… eventually it could get to a point the wastewater is left backing up to the rest of the outlets in the house including the bathroom sink, shower, or tub. Identifying and fixing the issue early will save you a lot in the long run.

1. Check The Flush Handle Or Flapper

If the flush handle is old or corroded, it may not work as well as it used to. When flushing the toilet, the handle raises the arm inside the tank, which pulls the lift wire or chain that is attached to the flapper. When the flapper is raised, water is released into the bowl. The flapper then closes and seals the water inside the tank.

2. Check The Float Arm And Ball In The Toilet Tank

Open the water tank behind the toilet and check the float ball. This looks like a plastic ball the size of a softball. The float ball connects to the float arm. The float ball will rise with the water level in the tank. When you flush, the float ball reaches a certain level and the inlet valve will shut off to stop the flow of the water.

3. Check The Fill Valve

A leaky fill valve releases water into the tank to overflow into the toilet bowl. To check, flush the toilet, then see if the fill valve is leaking. While the tank is filling with water, lift the float arm. This should stop the flow of the water.

4. Adjust The Position Of The Fill Tube

The fill or refill tube is a flexible plastic tube connected to the fill valve. It plays a key role in the refill mechanism of the toilet. Its ideal position is over the overflow tube where it is kept in place with a clip. Check to see if the fill tube is in the right position.

What To Do If Your Toilet Keeps Running

There are some problems with the toilet that should never be approached as a DIY project. If the problem persists or is getting worse, or if you are unsure about what to do, do not hesitate to call a professional plumber. A plumber can assess and identify the specific problem and recommend the best solution to fix it.

Reduce water usage and put a stop to the ongoing sound of running water

Timothy Dale is a home repair expert and writer with over a decade of hands-on construction and home improvement experience. He is skilled in residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional plumbing, electrical, carpentry, installation, renovations, and project management.

How a Toilet Works

To better comprehend why these problem parts cause the toilet to run, it's necessary to have a clear understanding of exactly how a toilet works.

If the Problem Is With the Overflow Tube

The overflow tube is a hollow tube that is connected to the flush valve. It's designed to prevent the toilet tank from overflowing if the fill valve does not turn off. There are several reasons why the water may be flowing into the overflow tube and causing the toilet to run.

If the Problem Is With the Flush Valve

The flush valve is an assembly within the toilet that consists of an overflow tube, tank-to-bowl hardware, a tank-to-bowl gasket, a flapper, and a chain that connects to the flapper.

If the Problem Is With the Fill Valve

The fill valve controls the flow of water into the tank from the main water supply. It's designed to continue filling the toilet until the float arm or float cup reaches the set level, but a broken valve may continue running non-stop or may even turn on and turn off inconsistently.

What Causes a Running Toilet?

The overflow tube is part of the flush valve, which is the white plastic tube that you see in the middle of the tank when you remove the lid. When the float is adjusted properly, the toilet fill valve shuts off when the water level reaches an inch below the top of the overflow tube.

Why an Overflow Tube Fails

The overflow tube, which is a safety device, prevents the tank from spilling water onto the floor when something goes wrong with the fill valve, but it may not work for two reasons. The first reason is that the overflow tube is too tall. This can happen when you install a new flush valve and fail to properly size the overflow tube.

Cutting the Overflow Tube

Fill valve manufacturers intentionally make overflow tubes tall so that they will work in the newer low-flow toilets with tall tanks. When you're installing a new fill valve in an older tank, you need to cut the tube to the proper length with a hacksaw.

Float and Fill Valve Adjustment

If the height of the overflow tube is correct and water is draining into it, adjust the float to lower the water level. Cup-style floats have an adjustment rod that you can lengthen to push down the float — the water level goes down with it.