In general, a single flush 1.6 gpf or 1.28 gpf toilet tank will take around half minute (30 seconds) to one minute (60 seconds) to fill.
This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seat. The solution is to drain the tank and bowl, check and clean the flapper seat and then replace the flapper if it's worn or damaged.
Solution 1: Replace the Flapper
If the flapper looks at all damaged, try turning off the toilet's water supply and then flushing the toilet. Use a sponge to clean up any leftover water and then unhook the flapper and replace it with a new one. Turn the water supply back on and test.
There is also an overflow tube inside your toilet tank to ensure there is never too much water in the tank. After a flush, the typical toilet takes between 10 and 15 seconds to refill and stop running. This gives the toilet time to refill the water in the tank to just below the overflow tube.
Will a running toilet stop eventually? As fresh water enters the tank, a mechanism eventually shuts off the water flow and the toilet will stop running. However, when things go wrong with the valve, flapper or overflow then it's best to get it sorted.
If the toilet keeps running or runs intermittently, you're not getting a good seal. Try a different flapper if the toilet won't stop running. If you just can't find a flapper that seals, consider replacing the entire toilet overflow tube/flapper. On most toilets (two-piece), this means removing the tank.
Not literally, of course – but your water bill will skyrocket if your toilet is constantly running. More often than not, continuously running toilets are extremely easy and inexpensive to fix – you might just need to replace the flapper. A constantly running toilet also presents an increased risk of flooding.
Running noises when no one flushes could mean a variety of things: The valve in the tank allows water to escape into the bowl. The flapper chain in the tank is too tight and prevents the valve from shutting all the way. The float in the toilet tank is set to a high mark, causing the toilet to run constantly.
No need to worry, a running toilet is usually a simple fix. The three most common causes are a broken or dirty flapper, too long or too short of a chain between the flush lever and the flapper or a float that is out of position. The first thing you will need to do is turn off the water feeding into the toilet.
This can be a frustrating problem for homeowners or businesses to deal with since it can cause a rise in utility costs. It can also be a sign of an external water leak that could cause water damage if it is not taken care of quickly.
If you've tried replacing the toilet flapper but the toilet still runs, the flush valve seat is probably rough or pitted. You can replace the entire flush toilet flapper valve, but it's a big job.
Toilet Flapper Causing Ghost Flushing
Typically, the flapper no longer creates a seal over the drain, so water continuously fills the bowl until causing it to flush, preventing it from overflowing. Simply replacing the flapper normally fixes the problem.
A ghost flushing toilet is a problem, but the occurrence is also a symptom. When the toilet ghost flushes, it is typically the sign of a loose flapper. The fact that it has flushed on its own once is cause enough to replace the flapper.
First, check your flapper and handle for any obvious problem, like a tangled connection or something wedged into the flapper valve. These are easy fixes for your toilet's ghost flushes. If the flapper appears to be fine, it is probably worn out and needs to be replaced.
In general, a single flush 1.6 gpf or 1.28 gpf toilet tank will take around half minute (30 seconds) to one minute (60 seconds) to fill.
The True Cost of a Running Toilet
For minor toilet leaks, your water bill won't be as drastically high; however, it will be higher than normal. A moderate toilet leak will generally waste about 6,000 gallons of water per month and can cost you an additional $70 per month-- $1,000 per year in waste.
A constantly running toilet is typically due to an issue with the flush valve assembly, so one of the first parts to inspect should be the chain and flapper. If the chain is too short, then it won't allow the flapper to close properly.
Among the most common problems for a running toilet is caused by a fill valve issue. This is when the water level is too high and water spills out of the top tank and into the overflow tube then down into the toilet bowl. This happens when there is excess water in the top tank.
Some drop-in bowl cleaners are also hard on the rubber component of a flapper. As the flapper deteriorates it allows leakage. Although it is not something many of us think of as needing replacement on a routine basis, in general, a toilet flapper should be replaced every three to five years.
A running toilet is typically caused by the overflow tube, flush valve, or fill valve. Check the water in the tank to determine if it is running into the overflow tube. If the water is running into the overflow tube, the water level might be too high, or the overflow tube might be too short for the toilet.
Yes. You can safely turn off the water to your toilet overnight, and we'd recommend doing so if you're dealing with a toilet issue that needs to be repaired by a plumber. If the plumber can't fix this issue until the next day, you can keep the water turned off overnight, and you shouldn't have an issue.