When you hear water running and nobody’s in the bathroom, it’s not just background noise—it’s your money going down the drain. A toilet that keeps flushing probably has something going on inside the tank, and if you let it slide, you’ll feel it on your bill and in your patience. At AP Plumbing, in Rochester, NY, we help homeowners identify these types of plumbing issues quickly, so you don’t have to guess.
Faulty Flapper
When your toilet keeps flushing or running, the first thing to check is the flapper. This is a rubber piece inside the tank that lifts when you flush and drops back down to seal the water inside the tank. If it doesn’t seal well, water continues to flow into the bowl, which causes the tank to refill repeatedly. You might hear a soft hiss or a quiet rush of water, even when no one has touched the toilet. That sound usually means the flapper isn’t sealing right.
Sometimes the flapper is just old. Rubber becomes stiff or warped, and even a tiny gap can allow water to continue flowing. Other times, mineral buildup around the flush valve or chain problems can cause the flapper to sit crooked. If the chain is too tight, the flapper can’t drop all the way. If the chain is too loose, it might get caught under the flapper. You can verify this by lifting the lid off the tank and observing how the flapper moves after a flush. Replacing a flapper is a simple fix and often costs less than 10 bucks at the hardware store.
Worn-Out Fill Valve Won’t Shut Off
Another part that can keep your toilet running is the fill valve. This is the tall piece on the left side of the tank that refills the tank after each flush. When the valve becomes old or clogged with sediment, it may not shut off properly. That causes the water to keep filling, even after the tank is already full. The overflow tube catches the extra water, and it flows right into the bowl. That’s why you hear the toilet running nonstop.
You might notice the water in the bowl moving even when no one’s used the bathroom. Or maybe you’ve seen the water level in the tank sitting high and trickling down the overflow tube. If that’s happening, the fill valve probably isn’t doing its job. Replacing a fill valve takes a bit more effort than swapping out a flapper, but it’s still something many people can handle with a wrench and a towel. If you’re not comfortable with plumbing parts, though, it might be smarter to call in help so you don’t risk cross-threading a pipe or cracking the tank.
Water Level Is Set Too High
Your toilet tank has a “fill line” that shows how much water should be in the tank after a flush. If the water level is too high, it spills into the overflow tube. That causes the fill valve to kick on again, which keeps the water cycling. You might hear a steady trickle or feel warm water in the bowl long after flushing. Some tanks have a float ball or a sliding cup that controls when the fill valve shuts off. If that float sits too high, the valve keeps running.
This kind of problem doesn’t always mean something is broken. Sometimes, the float just needs adjusting. If your tank has a long arm with a ball on the end, try gently bending the arm downward so the ball sits lower. For toilets with a vertical float, look for a screw at the top of the valve and twist it to move the float up or down. Just make small changes and watch what happens.
Leaky Flush Valve or Loose Tank Parts
Even if the flapper and fill valve seem fine, the flush valve seat itself might be worn or cracked. That’s the opening the flapper covers. If the surface is rough or damaged, the flapper can’t seal, even if it’s brand new. You’ll get the same symptoms as a flapper issue: a slow trickle, frequent refills, and possibly a quiet gurgling sound.
Also, check the bolts at the bottom of the tank. If they’re loose, water might leak from the tank into the bowl, and the system will try to refill constantly. You can spot this by checking for water around the base of the toilet or inside the bowl, even after flushing. These repairs can get messy, and if you’re not careful, you can crack the tank while trying to tighten or replace parts.
Stop Your Toilet Running Today
You don’t have to live with the sound of a toilet that just won’t quit. Whether you’re looking to cut back on wasted water or skip a bigger plumbing headache later, tackling the issue early is the smarter move. We also offer water heater repairs, bathroom plumbing upgrades, and drain cleaning services.
Get expert help when you need it most. Schedule your toilet repair with AP Plumbing today.
