Toilets
How To Fix a Running Toilet (And When To Call a Pro)
A running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons a day. Here's how to diagnose the flapper, fill valve, and float — and what needs a plumber.
5 min read
Start with the flapper
Nine out of ten running toilets are a worn flapper that no longer seals. Add food coloring to the tank; if color appears in the bowl without flushing, replace the flapper.
Check the fill valve and float
If water runs into the overflow tube, the float is set too high or the fill valve is failing. Both are inexpensive parts.
When it's the toilet, not the parts
Rocking, water at the base, or a hairline tank crack means the wax ring or the fixture itself needs attention — that's a job worth doing right the first time.
Need this handled by a licensed Camarillo plumber?
Call (805) 200-9482