Will my water bill go up if my toilet keeps running?

Author: Andy Terry  |  Last update: Sunday, September 14, 2025

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.

How much water does a toilet use if it keeps running?

A leaky toilet can be a massive contributor to a high water bill. We have seen continuously running toilets use 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of water in a month. A dripping leak consumes 15 gallons per day and 450 gallons per month. A 1/32 inch leak consumes 264 gallons per day and 7,920 gallons per month.

Does flushing toilet affect water bill?

Standard toilets us approximately 7 gallons per flush, while the regular low-flow toilet model uses 1.6 gallons per flush. (Some models are even more efficient.) This means an automatic reduction in you water bills each month, and over a full year the savings can add up to be tremendous.

How much does it cost if toilet keeps running?

Thus, a running toilet with a moderate continuous leak could land you with a monthly water bill that is $1,555 more than you expected. A large continuous leak could set you back about $3,110 in a month. As you can see, a simple toilet problem can cost big money if it's not addressed right away.

How much will a running toilet add to my water bill?

A constantly running toilet may waste about eight gallons per hour, or 200 gallons per day. Left unnoticed, a running toilet could waste over 6,000 gallons per month. Depending on the rate you pay for water and sewer, this could cost as much as $70 per month!

Plumbing Pro Tip: High water bill? Could be a leaking toilet - here's how to test for a leak!

Can a leaking toilet double your water bill?

The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. 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.

Can a running toilet increase the electric bill?

If you live in an apartment or condo, a running toilet may also cause your electric bill to go up. This is because some apartments and condos add a little hot water to the toilet tank to prevent condensation on the tank.

Is it OK to leave a toilet running?

Like a slowly dripping faucet, a running toilet can waste thousands of gallons of water each day. Worse yet, the issue is, more often than not, indicative of a much larger problem. If your toilet keeps running or is overflowing, contact a plumbing company immediately and schedule running toilet repair services.

Can a running toilet cause a high sewer bill?

The most common source of abnormally high water/sewer bills is leaky plumbing inside the property. More often than not, the source of that leak is a toilet.

Does turning off the toilet water save money?

While everyone knows how annoying it can be to have your toilet constantly run, few people are aware that it may actually be costing them a great deal of money. Toilets that never stop running can lead to much higher water bills, which means this is a situation that you need to correct as soon as possible.

Is the landlord responsible for a high water bill due to running a toilet?

Landlords have a responsibility to keep renters' toilets in good working order. Faulty parts can run up a tenant's water bill in no time, or dramatically increase expenses on a rental if water is included. Often, toilets leak because of a worn out flapper (sometimes called a “valve seal”).

How much money does it cost to flush a toilet?

Toilets are flushed multiple times a day in households everywhere but most homeowners are not aware of how much each flush costs. After all, every flush involves the use of water and as homeowners know, it costs to use water. So, what is the cost of a toilet flush? –The average cost in the USA is 1.3 cents per flush.

Does flushing the toilet raise the water bill?

A single flush costs just a fraction of a cent, so unless you're someone that makes a habit out of flushing the toilet on repeat, then there won't be much of an impact on your water bill. However, if there's an ongoing leak then you'll want to get it fixed right away, as you could end up footing an expensive bill!

What happens if a toilet runs all night?

What happens if a toilet runs all night? If a toilet runs all night it will waste water and increase your water bill. Excess water can potentially flood your septic tank and lead to failure and saturation of your drain field.

How do I stop my toilet from using so much water?

Adjust the Toilet Tank Water Level

By lowering it, the tank stores less water and uses less per flush. This small tweak can lead to noticeable reductions in water consumption without impacting the toilet's flushing efficiency. While aiming for efficiency, avoid underfilling the toilet tank.

Will my toilet running make my water bill go up?

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.

Why is my water bill $400?

An unusually high water bill is most often caused by a leak or change in water use. Some common causes of high water bills include: A leaking toilet, or a toilet that continues to run after being flushed, most common. A dripping faucet; a faucet drip can waster 20 gallons or more of water a day.

Does a constantly running toilet cost money?

Running toilets can have different speeds at which they cost you money. A slow leak can waste 30 gallons a day while keeping you oblivious to the problem. A medium leak, on the other hand, is more noticeable and will go through roughly 250 gallons and $3.30 a day.

Should I call a plumber for a running toilet?

If your toilet randomly runs — as in, you can hear water filling into the tank even though no one has used it — then you need to call a plumber. Many people will just accept a toilet that randomly runs and dismiss it as a design flaw. However, your noisy toilet could be running up your water bill.

Does a running toilet use a lot of water?

For example, depending on its size, a continuously running toilet can waste between 1,000 and 4,000 gallons of water per day and potentially increase your bill by hundreds and even thousands of dollars. A single faucet that drips just once every second wastes 8.6 gallons per day, or almost 800 gallons per quarter.

Why does my toilet run for a second then stops?

A toilet that cuts on and off by itself, or runs intermittently, has a problem that plumbers call a "phantom flush." The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seat.

How much does a leaky toilet add to a water bill?

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!

What is the most common cause of a constantly running toilet?

2. The Flapper Is Leaking and Needs Replacing. Perhaps the most common reason for a running toilet is an old flapper that needs to be replaced. When flappers get old, they don't seal the way they should, and this allows water to pass constantly from the toilet tank into the bowl.

What runs your electric bill up the most?

What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.

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