It’s the middle of the night. The house is quiet, everyone’s asleep, and you hear it—that constant, maddening sound of running water. You get up, walk into the bathroom, and there it is… your toilet just won’t stop running.

You jiggle the handle, flush again, maybe even lift the lid to take a peek. But the water keeps flowing. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also quietly driving up your water bill.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Countless homeowners in Atlanta face this issue every year. The good news? You can often fix a running toilet yourself with a few simple checks and adjustments. And if it turns out to be a bigger problem, professional help is just a call away from trusted residential plumbing services in Atlanta that can solve it quickly and affordably.

Let’s break down what’s really going on with that noisy toilet and how you can make it stop for good.

Why Your Toilet Keeps Running

A constantly running toilet is one of the most common plumbing issues—and luckily, one of the easiest to fix. Most of the time, the problem lies inside the tank. That’s the part behind the seat that holds water for each flush.

When everything is working correctly, the tank refills and stops automatically when it reaches the right water level. But when something inside malfunctions, the water continues to flow from the tank into the bowl—sometimes endlessly.

Here are the main culprits behind a running toilet:

• A worn-out flapper that doesn’t seal properly

• A faulty fill valve that won’t shut off

• A misaligned float that lets in too much water

• Or sometimes… just a chain that’s too tight or tangled

Let’s take a closer look at each one—and how you can fix it.

1. Check the Flapper – The Most Common Culprit

The flapper is a rubber or silicone piece at the bottom of your toilet tank. When you flush, it lifts to let water flow into the bowl, then drops back down to seal the opening.

Over time, flappers wear out, harden, or get misaligned. When that happens, water keeps seeping through—causing that nonstop running sound.

How to Fix It:

1. Remove the tank lid and flush the toilet.

2. Watch the flapper lift and drop. If it doesn’t close fully, that’s your problem.

3. Turn off the water supply (the small valve behind or beside the toilet).

4. Drain most of the water from the tank.

5. Detach the old flapper and take it to your local hardware store for an exact match.

6. Install the new one by clipping it into place and reattaching the chain.

Once done, turn the water back on and test it. If the running stops—congratulations! You just fixed your toilet yourself.

2. Inspect the Chain and Handle

Sometimes, it’s not the flapper that’s bad—it’s the chain that controls it. If the chain is too short or tangled, it can hold the flapper open, letting water constantly flow into the bowl.

How to Fix It:

• Make sure there’s just a little slack in the chain.

• If it’s too tight, adjust the clip or hook to loosen it slightly.

• If it’s rusty or damaged, replace it with a new one (they’re inexpensive and easy to install).

After adjusting, flush again and check if the flapper closes completely.

3. Adjust the Float

Inside your toilet tank, you’ll see a floating device that rises with the water level after every flush. It tells the fill valve when to stop adding water. If it’s set too high, the water level might go above the overflow tube—causing water to constantly leak into the bowl.

How to Fix It:

• For older toilets with a ball float, bend the arm gently downward to lower the water level.

• For newer ones with a cup float, look for the adjustment screw on the fill valve and turn it counterclockwise.

You want the water to stop filling about an inch below the top of the overflow tube.

4. Check the Fill Valve

If you’ve tried everything above and your toilet still runs, your fill valve might be the issue. This is the component that refills your tank after every flush.

When it wears out, it can fail to shut off properly, letting water continue to run.

How to Fix It:

1. Turn off the water supply and flush to empty the tank.

2. Unscrew the fill valve from the tank and disconnect the water supply line.

3. Replace it with a compatible new valve (universal ones are available at most hardware stores).

4. Reattach everything, turn the water back on, and test.

Modern fill valves are inexpensive and much more water-efficient—so this small fix can save you money in the long run.

5. Check for Silent Leaks

Sometimes, you won’t hear the toilet running, but it’s still leaking water from the tank into the bowl. This kind of “silent leak” can waste hundreds of gallons a day.

How to Detect It:

Try the food coloring test:

• Add a few drops of food coloring to your tank.

• Wait 15–20 minutes without flushing.

• If the colored water appears in your bowl, you’ve got a leak—likely from the flapper or seal.

Fixing it early prevents higher water bills and unnecessary waste.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Running Toilet

It might seem like “just a small issue,” but a constantly running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. That’s like flushing your money down the drain—literally.

Besides the high water bill, prolonged leaks can:

• Cause wear and tear on your plumbing system

• Lead to hidden water damage around the base of the toilet

• Create humidity and mildew problems in your bathroom

Fixing it now not only restores peace but also protects your home and wallet.

When to Call a Professional

If you’ve tried the above steps and your toilet is still running, it might be time to call in the pros. Some underlying issues—like a cracked overflow tube, worn tank components, or poor water pressure—require expert attention.

A licensed plumber can quickly diagnose the issue and make repairs that last. Plus, they can inspect for other hidden plumbing problems that might be quietly costing you money or damaging your home.

At Saving Grace Plumbing Services LLC, our experts specialize in diagnosing and fixing all kinds of toilet issues—from simple running tanks to complete replacements. We understand how stressful plumbing problems can be, and we’re here to make the process easy, affordable, and worry-free.

Prevent Future Toilet Problems

Once you’ve fixed your running toilet, you can take a few easy steps to prevent it from happening again:

1. Clean your tank components every few months to prevent mineral buildup.

2. Inspect the flapper and fill valve annually and replace them every few years.

3. Avoid using harsh chemicals inside the tank—they can wear out rubber seals faster.

4. Check your water pressure regularly—high pressure can damage tank parts.

These small maintenance steps go a long way in keeping your plumbing system healthy and your toilet quiet.

Final Thoughts

A running toilet might start as an irritating sound in the middle of the night—but left unchecked, it can turn into a costly problem. Thankfully, most of the time, it’s something simple: a loose chain, worn flapper, or misadjusted float.

So, grab your toolbox, take a look inside that tank, and give these fixes a try. You’ll feel a little proud when that constant trickle finally stops—and your water bill will thank you, too.

And if things get tricky or you just want peace of mind, don’t hesitate to call in your trusted Atlanta plumbing experts. At Saving Grace Plumbing Services LLC, we’re here 24/7 to help with fast, reliable, and affordable solutions that make your home feel like home again.