Toilet Keeps Running? Causes, Quick Fixes & When to Call a Plumber

By Top Florida Plumbers · Updated 2026-11-08

A toilet that keeps running wastes up to 200 gallons of water a day and quietly inflates your water bill. The good news: it's one of the most common and least expensive plumbing repairs.

Why does a toilet keep running?

• Worn flapper – the rubber seal at the bottom of the tank warps over time and lets water seep into the bowl.
• Fill valve set too high – water overflows into the overflow tube and the valve never shuts off.
• Chain too short or tangled – holds the flapper open slightly.
• Cracked overflow tube or failing fill valve – needs replacement parts.

Quick fixes you can try

• Lift the tank lid and check that the chain has about half an inch of slack.
• Adjust the float so the water line sits an inch below the top of the overflow tube.
• Add food coloring to the tank – if it appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper is leaking and should be replaced.

When to call a plumber

If a new flapper and float adjustment don't solve it, the fill valve or flush valve seat may be damaged. Toilets that run intermittently, make phantom flushes or leak at the base should be inspected by a professional. Our plumbers fix running toilets across Florida every day and can tell you honestly whether a repair or a new high-efficiency toilet makes more sense.

Toilet Repair & Replacement Near You

We provide toilet repair in every Florida city, including Apopka, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs, Boynton Beach, Bradenton, Cape Coral, Clearwater, Coconut Creek, Daytona Beach, Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Deltona and many more.

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