Running toilets are noisy – they can keep you awake at night and they just don’t flush your waste properly! At the first hint of a running toilet have it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem.You may not need to call in a plumber. Fixing a running toilet yourself is not as difficult as it may appear. If it is an emergency contact us and we will have it repaired as soon as possible.

You need to have a plunger in your home in case it is needed. Do not wait until there is a problem! A plunger can be purchased cheaply from your local hardware store.

To fix a running toilet:

1. Push down the flapper of the toilet with a stick and listen to see if the water stops. If it stops the flapper is broken and needs replacing. Purchase a new flapper from your hardware store. Cut back the fill tube length of the new flapper until it is at least 1.25cm above the water line when replacing the flapper.

2. If the flapper is not the issue try using a plunger. Before you use the plunger take the lid off the toilet cistern and push in the flapper. This will stop the water flooding. Then plunge and see if the running stops. It may take a few times and quite a lot of muscle power before you see a result.

3. The next thing to try is a snake to clean the drain. A snake can be easily and inexpensively purchased from your local hardware store. Push the snake down the pipe through the toilet bowl. You will feel some resistance. When this happens use the tip of the snake to break up the clog in the drain by rotating it in a clockwise direction.

If you have any trouble with the above tips, or if you try them and your toilet is still running, contact a licensed plumber. It is always best to call in plumbing services while the problem is still small, rather than have the problem escalate to a situation where the toilet does not flush at all!

We can help with leaking toilets, blocked drains, leaking pipes, leaking taps and much more. Contact us for more information.