Usually this is caused by one of the following problems: The water level in the tank may be at or above the top of the overflow pipe. The flapper or stopper ball that closes off the outlet at the bottom of the tank may be defective. The fill valve may need replacing.
If you turn a valve off on a toilet and water continues to run this problem is caused from a failed washer in the valve. These are usually easy to repair and cost less than a dollar for several sizes.
Adjust the Float
A faulty float can fail to signal the fill valve to shut off when the tank is full. This can lead to an overfilling of the tank, which then triggers the fill valve to continuously run. This causes a constant flow of water into the tank and ultimately, into the bowl.
Replacing the fill and shut-off valve costs an average of $120 – $250. This includes the cost of the replacement parts and the cost of labor.
Bathroom applications usually include a hot and cold-water valve inside the vanity cabinet and a cold-water valve located just behind the toilet. As time takes its toll on these trusted devices, they can become prone to failure. The most common failure found in an old shut-off valve is seizing.
Toilet Parts
The toilet's flush valve will typically last 6-7 years. A toilet fill valve might only last four to five years. In general, you should expect to replace the parts in your toilet every so often while keeping the actual bowl in place.
A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain. This can cause a terrible increase to a family's typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible. Some leaks are easy to find, such as a dripping faucet or running toilet.
According to SFGate, flushing the toilets accounts for a whopping 30% of the average household's water usage. Therefore, reducing the amount of water flushed away every time you visit the bathroom is an effective way to lighten the load on your wallet.
The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. That's over 6,000 gallons a month ($70.06*) for just one leaking toilet! Some toilets may produce a running water sound that is easy to hear. Some leaks are visible as a small trickle running from the rim to the water in the bowl.
Generally speaking, most water shut-off valves last between 10 to 20 years. However, they can last longer, depending on the material you choose. For example, brass valves can last about eight to 10 years, while stainless steel can last over 30 years.
Another common symptom of a faulty fill valve is the constant sound of running water. Troubleshoot by adding a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank. If you do not see the food coloring leak into the bowl, your fill valve needs to be replaced.
Replace Your Shut-Off Valve At Least Every Ten Years
Fixture shut-off valves deteriorate over time. They should get replaced every ten years or whenever you replace a sink, toilet, or faucet, whatever comes first.
Unfortunately, main water shut off valves can become clogged with mineral deposits and grit. They can be damaged to the point where they need to be replaced.
Sometimes, especially in older homes, the water shut off valve can be difficult to access or operate. In these cases, spraying WD-40 on the valve may help make it easier to turn off. Be sure to test the valve afterward to make sure it is fully closed.
To cut the water supply feeding your toilet, simply turn the shut-off valve clockwise. After a few rotations, the valve should tighten. Some require only a 1/4 turn (see examples below). You have now successfully isolated the tank.
There are really only two main toilet tank parts: The toilet flush valve, which lets water gush into the bowl during the flush, and the fill valve, which lets water refill the tank after the flush.
That is bad news, but you'll want to take care of this urgent problem as soon as possible. The average full car valve replacement cost is between $900-$2,000. A single valve replacement cost is about $100-$200.
Toilet Water Saving Tips
Toilets made from the early 1980s to 1992 typically used 3.5 gallons per flush (13.2 liters) or more. Toilets made prior to 1980 typically used 5.0 to 7.0 or high gallons per flush (18.9 lpf to 26.5 lpf). The oldest toilets can use more than 8 gallons per flush (30 lpf).
Typically, a running water toilet will waste thousands of gallons of water per month which translates to approximately $200 unnecessarily tacked onto your monthly water bill-- that's nearly $2,500 dollars a year down your toilet bowl. The above scenario is in the case of an extreme toilet leak.