Why Won’t My Toilet Won’t Stop Running?

As a Howard County homeowner, every abnormality with your plumbing fixtures can send a shiver of worry through you. “What’s wrong?” You think. “How much will this cost me?” Luckily for you, if your toilet won’t stop running, this is a common problem that usually requires a very simple fix. Keep reading to find out steps you can take to try and solve the problem of why your toilet won’t stop running.

Check the Fill Tube

Remove your toilet’s lid and find the small, flexible tube (this is the fill tube) that runs from a valve to another tube (this is the overflow tube). When you flush your toilet, this tube squirts water into the overflow tube to refill the bowl.

Make the sure fill tube is attached to the overflow tube and the valve and the overflow tube properly.

Flush the toilet to check that water is flowing through the system properly.

Investigate the Chain Attached to the Flapper

When your toilet flushes, it relies on the flush lever to tug on a rubber flapper that allows water to pass through. The lever and flapper are connected by a chain; locate that chain.

Check if the chain pulls at the flapper, even if the lever is not in use. This indicates a too-short chain, and can lead to your toilet constantly running.

Check if there is a lot of slack in the chain. This could signal that the chain is too long, which can also interfere with the flapper closing properly.

If necessary, replace the chain with one of an appropriate size.

Adjust the Float Position

Check the position of your float when you flush the toilet. The float is a plastic balloon that stays on top of the water and tells your pump when your tank is full. The bottom should rest below the top of the overflow pipe.

Determine if the water tank keeps filling after it goes over the overflow tube.

Bend the rod that connects the float to the pump so that it rests lower down in the tank, causing it to tell the pump to turn off more quickly. If the rod doesn’t bend, call a plumber!

Plumbing Troubleshooting in Howard County

If none of these suggestions solves your problem, it may be time to call a Howard County plumber! At Heil Plumbing, we are committed to serving the area with professional, efficient, quality work that is guaranteed to last.

Why Choose Heil

• Years In Business
• Customers Helped
• Service

The Heil Difference

We’re dedicated to offering the highest quality residential and commercial plumbing services for every customer. Our plumbers are available to respond to your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our residential and commercial plumbers in Columbia and Ellicott City cover every need, from simple fixture repairs to complex drain and sewer problems.

While we are based in Jessup, Maryland, our plumbing contractors also service Catonsville, Columbia, Ellicott City, Odenton, Clarksville, Elkridge, Fulton, Laurel, and Severn.