Why is my toilet running intermittently?

A toilet that cuts on and off by itself, or runs intermittently, has a problem that plumbers call a phantom flush. The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seat.

What makes a toilet run intermittently?

How to troubleshoot toilet flapper issues, Hunker?

1 A Yank of the Flapper Chain. The chain connecting the toilet flapper to the flush handle is the source of many flushing problems. 2 The Case of the Phantom Flusher. If your toilet fills valve switches on all by itself in the middle of the night, you’ve got a phantom flush. 3 Repairing a Flapper Versus Replacing It. …

Why does my toilet not flush when I flush the toilet?

Inside of the toilet tank, the flushing handle is connected to a little arm and chain that lift the flapper. When you press the handle, the toilet flapper raises, and water is dumped into the bowl. Little things like a broken link in a chain or a loose nut can disconnect the handle from the flapper.

Why do I need a chain float on my toilet flapper?

You definitely want a chain float on your toilet flapper. The chain float helps this contraption to stay open for longer so that more water can get into the bowl and help flush. However, you can adjust the float and tune it how you want it. This way, you can control how long the flapper stays open and how powerful of a flush you get.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet flapper?

The test is positive if the bowl water takes on the same hue as the tank water. Flappers cost less than $10 on average, so if your toilet is doing the phantom flush, it’s usually better to replace the flapper than it is to try to repair it.

1 A Yank of the Flapper Chain. The chain connecting the toilet flapper to the flush handle is the source of many flushing problems. 2 The Case of the Phantom Flusher. If your toilet fills valve switches on all by itself in the middle of the night, you’ve got a phantom flush. 3 Repairing a Flapper Versus Replacing It.

Why does my toilet not flush when I hold the handle down?

Won’t fully flush: If the toilet doesn’t flush completely unless you hold the handle down, it is usually because the flapper is not lifting fully away from the flush valve. Continues to run after flushing: If the toilet continues to run, this almost always occurs because this flapper does not fit properly into the flush valve opening.

You definitely want a chain float on your toilet flapper. The chain float helps this contraption to stay open for longer so that more water can get into the bowl and help flush. However, you can adjust the float and tune it how you want it. This way, you can control how long the flapper stays open and how powerful of a flush you get.

The test is positive if the bowl water takes on the same hue as the tank water. Flappers cost less than $10 on average, so if your toilet is doing the phantom flush, it’s usually better to replace the flapper than it is to try to repair it.