Why Your Toilet Keeps Running and When to Call a Plumber

Common causes of a running toilet

Most cases come down to a few worn parts:

• A worn or warped flapper that won’t seal
• A faulty fill valve that won’t shut off
• A float set too high, overflowing into the tube
• A chain that’s too short or tangled
• Mineral buildup sticking the valve (common with hard water)

Quick checks you can do

Lift the tank lid and watch a flush cycle. If water keeps trickling into the bowl, suspect the flapper. If the tank overfills into the center tube, adjust the float. If parts are crusted with scale, they likely need replacing.

When to call a plumber

If replacing the flapper and adjusting the float don’t solve it — or the valve is corroded — a plumber can replace the internals quickly and stop the water waste for good.