Home / News & Media / Toilet Plumbing Tips

“Is My Toilet Running?” Take This Easy Toilet Dye Test to Find Out.

2 min read • January 23rd, 2023

Image
Heil Plumbing
Person's hand pressing chrome toilet trip lever down on white porcelain toilet

Are you worried that the toilet in your home is running when it’s not supposed to? You might think you should be able to hear it running, but if you’re dealing with a slow leak, you could end up racking up an expensive water bill before you ever hear that it’s running.

In fact, a running toilet can cost you thousands of gallons of water each month, adding thousands of dollars to your water bill each year.

An easy way to check for leaks and determine if your water usage is becoming abnormally high is to perform a toilet dye test. In just 10 minutes, you can tell whether or not there’s a problem so you can get it repaired and reduce your costly water bill.

Simple Toilet Dye Test Instructions

If you suspect your toilet is leaking, one quick and easy way to know is the toilet dye test. With just a few drops of food coloring, you can find out if it’s leaking in a few minutes — with no flushing involved. And no complicated tools or special equipment are necessary.

All you have to do is add a few drops of dye to your tank.

Next, wait 10–20 minutes. If the color appears in your bowl without flushing, your toilet tank is running.

Why Is My Toilet Running?

If your toilet fails the toilet dye test, it could mean the chain connecting the flush lever and the flapper inside the tank (which prevents the tank water from flowing into the bowl) is too short or too small.

It’s also possible that you have a leaky toilet flapper because it’s broken, dirty, or out of place. Thankfully, replacing the flapper is another simple job most homeowners can handle with ease. Simply watch our video tutorial, and take matters into your own hands.

However, if your toilet is old, you may need to replace it. If so, contact Heil Plumbing & HVAC, and stop wasting money on your elevated water bill.

Looking for other toilet installation and repair services or just for a reliable professional plumber? Contact Heil Plumbing & HVAC to schedule an appointment with a trustworthy plumber in Baltimore or the surrounding area.  Live closer to D.C.?  Trust our expert Montgomery County plumbers – we have you covered for all of your plumbing needs.

Contact

Heil Plumbing & HVAC Team

8177 Mission Rd Jessup, MD, 20794, United States

(410) 799-7727
https://heilplumbing.com

Schedule Service

Address

related articles

An image depicts a boiler vs furnace.
HVAC Tips
2 min read • September 30th, 2026

Boiler vs. Furnace: Which Heating System Is Right for Your Home?

If you’re replacing a heating system or building new, you’re going to run into the boiler vs. furnace question pretty quickly. Both systems heat your home effectively,
Image
Heil Plumbing
A woman looks into her bathroom sink and thinks, "This bathroom sink smells!"
Bath and Shower Plumbing
2 min read • September 28th, 2026

Why Your Bathroom Sink Smells — and How to Fix It

Bathroom sink smells are unpleasant, embarrassing, and almost always caused by one of four things: biofilm buildup inside the drain, a dry or damaged P-trap, a corrugated
Image
Heil Plumbing
A photo of a tankless water heater is placed next to a photo of a tank water heater and is useful in comparing tankless vs tank water heater.
Water Heater Tips
2 min read • August 28th, 2026

Tankless vs. Tank Water Heater: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Confused about the differences between tankless vs. tank water heater? If you’re shopping for a new water heater, you’re going to need to weigh those differences pretty
Image
Heil Plumbing