How To Stop a Running Toilet
Thompson Family Plumbing is your go-to choice for residential plumbing repair and installation throughout Lake Havasu City, AZ and Hesperia, CA.


That constant running sound from your toilet isn’t just annoying. It’s costing you money on your water bill. You might feel frustrated trying to figure out how to stop a toilet from running, but Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain has good news.
Most running toilet issues have simple solutions you can try before calling a plumber. In this guide, we’ll explain how to stop a toilet from running and help you understand the common causes.
Common Causes of a Running Toilet
When your toilet won’t stop running, the problem usually stems from a leak inside the tank. Below are some key components in your toilet tank that may lead to a running toilet:
- A worn or warped flapper that no longer creates a proper seal
- Incorrect chain length between the flush lever and flapper
- Misaligned float mechanism that controls water level
- Malfunctioning fill valve that won’t shut off properly
- The water level is set too high, causing overflow into the overflow tube
Each component plays a crucial role in your toilet’s proper function. When one part fails, water will leak from the tank into the toilet bowl and waste gallons of water daily.
How To Diagnose a Leaky Toilet
Continuing to use the flush valve normally without looking inside the tank won’t help you stop the leaky toilet. Listen for a hissing sound coming from the tank. This indicates water a water leak somewhere, and the location of the sound can help pinpoint which component is failing.
Inspect key components inside the tank, such as the chain length connecting to the flapper and the fill valve. You can also confirm the leak by putting a few drops of food dye into the tank, waiting 30 minutes, and seeing if the colored water is now inside the toilet bowl.
Pinpointing the leak isn’t good enough. You have to fix it by either repairing faulty components inside the tank or reaching out to a professional plumber for assistance.
How To Stop a Running Toilet: Simple DIY Solutions for Homeowners
You can fix most running toilet problems with basic tools and replacement parts from your local hardware store. To prevent your toilet from running and wasting gallons of water, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Clean or replace the flapper if it’s dirty or damaged.
- Adjust the chain length to allow proper flapper closure.
- Reset the float mechanism to maintain the correct water level.
- Install a new fill valve if the current one is malfunctioning.
- Ensure the water level stays about one inch below the top of the overflow tube.
Trust Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain for Professional Toilet Repairs
Learning how to stop a toilet from running can save you money and prevent water waste. When DIY solutions don’t solve the problem, Thompson Family Plumbing & Drain offers professional toilet repair services throughout Hesperia, California, and Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Our licensed plumbers can quickly diagnose and fix any running toilet issue.
Call us at (855) 390-0457 to schedule your toilet repair service today.

Devynn Thompson
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