A regular plumbing problem we see whilst with our clients is running toilets. You may think this frustrating household issue is a plumbing rather than Draincare issue, raising your water bill as well as leaving your bathroom making a constant running water sound. However, running toilets can also have a negative impact on your drains requiring the need for you to call draincare specialists like TWC Draincare.
For example, if your toilet flush is not powerful enough it can lead to waste getting stuck in your drain line leading to blockages. It’s therefore important to make sure the flush is working correctly. It becomes even more important if your property has a septic tank or treatment plant as if there is a constant stream of water running through to the tank it will affect how the tank works by altering the bacteria levels. It means waste may not break down as well as it should do, so when the tank discharges waste its not as clean as it would otherwise be.
The problem with running toilets can be even worse on toilets with a button flush, which many modern bathrooms now feature. If not corrected, the problem can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day and lead to bigger problems with your toilet and drains.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to identify the cause, how to fix a running toilet with a button flush, helping you save money, conserve water, and restore your bathroom and drainage system to full working order.
Understanding How a Button Flush Toilet Works
A button flush toilet uses a depressed button instead of a traditional lever to trigger the flushing mechanism. These systems are commonplace in modern washrooms and can be found in both single and double flush configurations.
Single Flush vs. Dual Flush Button Systems
Single flush buttons will release the same amount of water every time they are pushed, regardless of the type of waste or the requirements of the system. This design is typically seen on older toilets, which are less efficient when compared to modern dual flush systems.
A dual flush button offers two options — a smaller flush, usually for liquid waste, and a larger flush, usually for solid waste. This method reduces water usage, making the system eco-friendlier and more economical.
Key Components of a Button Flush Toilet
Flush Valve
The flush valve empties the water from the toilet cistern, causing the toilet bowl to flush.
Fill Valve
The fill valve ensures that water refills the toilet cistern after the system is flushed.
Float System
The float system controls the water in the system by shutting off the flow of water when the cistern reaches the desired level. Lowering the float will lower the level to which the cistern is filled.
How the Button Mechanism Works
When you depress the button to flush your toilet, the pressing motion pulls a chain that is connected to the flapper. The flapper lifts, releasing tank water down into the toilet bowl, and the resulting pressure pushes the waste and the water into the main drain.
Water Flow and Flushing Cycle
After the tank empties, the flapper closes to form a seal, causing the tank to refill until the water hits the float. This ensures that the water level is consistent, and that the toilet is able to flush once again, ready for the next use.
What Causes a Running Toilet?
There are a number of reasons that can cause a running toilet. It’s important to understand what the cause of the problem is, as this will dictate the actions needed to take in order to fix it. Below are some of the most common causes of a running toilet:
Worn-out or misaligned flush valve seal
If the flush valve seal is not correctly aligned and able to fully seal, water can leak through, leading to a running toilet.
Faulty fill valve
A faulty fill valve can cause water to continuously refill the cistern, even when the flush has not been deployed.
Sticking or broken flush button
A sticking flush button prolongs the flush action by lifting the flapper, making your toilet run and delaying the seal that enables the water to refill to the float level.
Misadjusted float level
If the float level is too high, water can enter the overflow, which then lowers the float and creates a frustrating cycle of toilet running.
How to Fix a Running Toilet with a Button Flush: Step-by-Step
Fixing a running toilet with a flush button is very different to unblocking a toilet. We’ve laid out an easy step-by-step process for how you can try and fix this problem.
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply
- Your toilet shut-off valve is normally to the bottom left, behind the toilet. It is an oval-shaped valve on the pipe that reaches from the toilet tank to the wall. In order to shut off the water supply to the toilet, turn the valve clockwise as far as you can.
- If the shut-off valve is stiff, never use a wrench to turn it — if it breaks off, it can flood your bathroom and cause widespread water damage. Instead, try using lubricant, like WD-40, to loosen the valve enough to turn more easily.
Step 2: Inspect the Flush Button Mechanism
- Remove the lid of the toilet tank to expose the mechanism of the flush button, which will allow you to test it properly.
- Flush the toilet as you normally would. If pressing the button requires more force than usual, or the toilet only flushes partially, it indicates that the button is sticking.
- If the flush mechanism is sticking, carefully clean around the edges of the button to ensure that there is no debris causing it to stick.
Step 3: Check the Flush Valve Seal
- If the water is continuing to run after the flush should have completed, you should check the flush valve seal. After inspecting it for wear and tear, you can test the seal to make sure that it is not leaking.
- The easiest way to check for a leak in the seal of the flush valve is to add a few drops of food colouring to the toilet tank water. If the colouring appears in the toilet bowl without any flushing, there is likely to be a leak, and the flush valve may need replacing.
- If the seal requires replacing, you should flush the toilet with the water supply shut off to drain the tank. Once the tank is empty, you can disconnect the refill tube, remove the flush valve assembly, and replace the seal. After the seal is replaced, simply fix the disassembled parts back into the tank and test the toilet flush again to ensure that the problem is fixed.
Step 4: Inspect and Adjust the Float Level
- The water level in the tank should be roughly one inch below the top of the overflow tube — if it is too high or too low, you will need to adjust the float.
- If your toilet uses a cup-style float (a cylinder shape), you can adjust the float level by using a screwdriver to turn the screw connected to the float arm.
- If your toilet uses a ballcock float (a floating sphere), you will need to bend the metal float rod by hand to the required level. If you bend it upwards, the water level will increase, and if you bend it downwards, the water level will decrease.
Step 5: Examine and Replace the Fill Valve (if necessary)
- To check on the fill valve, remove the lid of the toilet tank and flush the toilet. If there is no visible leaking from the fill valve, lift the float arm whilst the tank is filling. The water should stop rising — if it continues, the fill valve may be faulty.
- To replace the fill valve, you should shut off the water and flush the toilet to drain the tank. Then, unscrew the plastic cap on the top of the fill valve, remove the fill valve from the valve cap, install the new seal, replace the plastic cap and return the valve to its original position. A test flush will allow you to ensure that there are no leaks and that the fill valve is correctly installed.
Step 6: Test and Fine-Tune Adjustments
- Once you are confident that you have found the cause of the leak and rectified it, you can test the toilet to make sure that there are no further problems.
- After all parts have been returned and the toilet is complete again, flush it as you typically would. The water level and flush duration should be normal, and the toilet should not continue to run after the flapper creates a seal.
- If you have checked all the parts of your toilet as we suggest in this blog, your facilities should be performing optimally. If they are not, give TWC a call and we will be able to promptly and effectively identify and fix the issue.
What if the toilet keeps running after adjusting the float?
If the float level is not fixing the problem, the issue is likely to be another part of the system — your flapper might be faulty, or the fill valve might be broken. If you are not sure, call TWC, and one of our expert engineers can help.
How do I know if I installed the flush valve seal correctly?
Once you have installed the replacement flush valve seal, you should turn the water supply back on and allow the tank to fill. Flush the toilet as normal to test the valve seal and watch for leaks or the sound of running water.
Why does my toilet keep running even after replacing the flush valve seal?
If the flush valve seal was correctly replaced and the problem is still occurring, the issue is likely to be a faulty flapper.
What tools do I need to fix a running toilet with a button flush?
This depends on which parts of the system need to be checked and replaced, but the most common tools you will need are a screwdriver, and a wrench or a pair of pliers. Some parts of the system can be taken apart by hand.
How often should I check my toilet’s components to prevent it from running?
You should aim to have your plumbing and drainage checked by an expert annually to monitor wear and tear and identify any problems. At TWC, we can use the latest CCTV surveillance technology to inspect your pipes, allowing us to provide you with peace of mind both above and below ground.
When to Call a Professional
Now you know how to fix a running toilet with a button flush. If these tips have not helped to fix your running toilet, or you are not sure what the problem might be, give TWC a call. We have a team of friendly drain unblocking and drain repair professionals based in locations all throughout the UK. This means we can offer a rapid response call out time and get to you ASAP. We don’t have a call out charge, unlike many draincare companies.
Our customer satisfaction is second to none, which is helped by our lack of call out charge and has helped us achieve a 4.7/5 review score! For all your maintenance and drain repair needs, TWC are here to help: you can contact our team here.
