How to Fix a Running Toilet - 3 Most Common Problems

Running toilet? Leaking toilet? Nobody likes a toilet that keeps running. We will show you the three most common causes and how to fix a running toilet so that you can avoid this expensive problem.

Most toilet problems can be solved if you know what to look for and a couple tricks for how to fix these basic issues. These easy solutions will help you to fix a toilet that is constantly running and costing you money on your water bill.

The three most common problems that cause toilet to run constantly are:

1. A leaky flapper - This is as easy as buying a new $6 flapper that fits your toilet brand and replacing in under 5 minutes.
2. Float problems - This could mean that the chain is getting stuck in between your flapper and the bottom of the tank or that the float is set too high. If the chain is getting stuck, simply trim it or clip the end to the clip that hold the chain to the flush lever. If the float is set too high you will know because the water will constantly flow into the overflow tube. Check out the video to see how to lower the float.
3. A broken or defective fill valve - If you still hear that annoying sound of water running you might want to pick up a new fill valve. This is a pretty easy DIY project and will save you tons by doing it yourself. Just remember to drain the tank first!

House in Progress aims to make home projects easy by showing you the steps involved, tools you will need and the difficulty to accomplish any home improvement or repair, including how to fix a running toilet.

0:00 House In Progress Intro
0:10 Problem & Solution #1 - A Leaky Flapper
2:00 Problem & Solution #2.A - Float Problems (Float Cup)
3:05 Problem & Solution #2.B - Float Problems (Float Ball)
4:06 Problem & Solution #3 - A Broken or Defective Fill Valve
4:52 Blooper Reel

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0:10 - Problem & Solution #1 - a leaky flapper
2:00 - Problem & Solution #2.A - float problems (float cup)
3:05 - Problem & Solution #2.B (float ball)
4:06 - Problem & Solution #3 - a broken or defective fill valve

[Nursebae]

Thanks so much I’m a single woman and had to figure out how to stop my toilet from running. This video helped me!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[jenniferjohnson]

My 91yr old mother had this leak for 9mos at $60 additional on her water bill a month...I watched this video and replaced the flapper and fixed the water level as if I was a pro... I am so very grateful (and proud)😁

[k.b.woodworker]

Thanks! I was taught that you just bend the arm on the ball float, which has worked in the past, but it wasn't working and I didn't want to break the corroded part. Turning that screw at the top did the trick!

[melg]

You're a life saver! I just fixed my toilet just by watching your video. Thank you bunches!

[ajbeezy]

Thank you, that fixed it for me and saved me lots of money. Just had to adjust the float and it worked like a charm!

[arizona]

Hey thanks for the tip... I was about to replace inner toilet parts but saw this first... AWESOME! ... Works great after watching and fixing, thanks!!

[jasondarak]

You are god sent! I fixed the toilet problem I've had for days. Thank you so much

[danemery]

Great video. Straight to the important info, clear and concise explanations. Thanks!

[drusdude]

Whoa.. been listening to my toilet run for a week.. finally decided to try and fix it and this video solved the issue... thanks for saving me money...

[TheRealLaughingGravy]

Thanks so much. This has been an on-and-off problem with one of our toilets for years. I'd bent down the bar a little that holds the float ball, and replaced the flapper, and that sort of worked, but the problem was never completely gone. Lately it's been running constantly, and I found your video. I had no idea that screw lowered the float height - mine only has one screw, not two as in the video. I screwed it in farther, and it worked! The bowl doesn't fill quite as high as before, but I assume that's OK. So thanks.

And also, as another commenter said, thanks for getting right to the point. I can't stand it when I need to learn how to do something and the guy in the video fills the first five minutes with silly chatter and pointless introduction. Nice job. I've subscribed.

[dfoxycrissy]

Thanks so much for this video! I was ready to call in a plumber as I had this running toilet for a year. Good thing I checked YouTube first & found your video. Fixed the issue in a minute!

[RefinerSimilitude]

Thank you! For me the new-looking flapper was the culprit. I pushed down on it and the running stopped just like you stated. It wasn't a solid piece of rubber like the one shown in the video. It was a blue rubber gasket surrounding a white plastic center which had a dial in it for some kind of adjustability. Years ago, I installed it with the chain too tight which pulled the blue rubber gasket away from the plastic center/hub just a tiny bit so it wasn't laying flat anymore. I reinserted the gasket into the hub, loosened the chain and problem solved!

[janetgarcia]

Thank you!!! Adjusted the screw and the float ball was fine. A 5 minute fix and $ saved! 🤗

[katemcginty]

It WORKED!!! Thanks so much for clear & accurate instructions

[janaye]

This was the most informative video on this issue! Thank you so much 🙏🏾

[magicrobharv]

This is the first times I've watched your videos. Great info. Thanks.

[heatherrhodes]

Thank you so so much for your video!! It’s to the point and it helped fix my toilet!! Yayyy I’m so excited to finally have the running water problem fixed!!

[binhminh]

I had the same problem with a Mansield#210. Thanks to you, I was able to find the cause and fixed it by replacing the flush valve seal. The ending blooper is really cracked me up!

[greypatches]

Great tips! I will give them a try on my annoying running toilet. Thank you for posting this.