A running toilet is one of the most common residential plumbing issues, and the good news is that most cases are caused by simple problems you can fix yourself in just minutes. The culprit is usually a worn-out flapper valve at the bottom of the tank, which no longer seals properly and allows water to continuously leak into the bowl, triggering the fill valve to keep refilling. Before you panic or call for emergency service, lift the toilet tank lid and take a look inside—you might be able to fix this with a simple hardware store replacement kit that costs less than twenty dollars.
To diagnose the problem, first add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank and wait five minutes without flushing. If the color appears in the bowl, your flapper is definitely leaking and needs replacement. Most hardware stores sell universal flapper kits that are simple to install by turning off the water supply, draining the tank, removing the old flapper from the chain and fill valve, and attaching the new one in its place. If the flapper looks fine, the issue might be a faulty fill valve, which is a bit more complex but still doable for a confident DIYer with online guidance.
If you've tried the flapper replacement and the toilet still runs, or if you're uncomfortable taking apart your toilet's internal components, this is the perfect time to call JDG Plumbing for a professional diagnosis. Some running toilets are caused by cracks in the tank itself or more complicated fill valve issues that require expert hands, and you'll waste far more in water bills than you'll save by attempting a risky repair. We can quickly identify the problem and have your toilet running efficiently again, plus we'll make sure everything is installed correctly so you don't have problems down the line.
