Why Your Toilet Keeps Running

Common toilet tank problems

Almost every running toilet is caused by one of three parts: the fill valve, the flush valve or the float. Before opening the cistern, listen carefully. Is it a constant hiss, a trickle into the bowl, or water running down inside the tank overflow? Each sound points to a different problem. Common symptoms include:

• Water trickling into the bowl even when no one has flushed
• The fill valve constantly refilling the tank in short bursts
• Water running down the overflow tube inside the cistern
• The flush handle needing to be jiggled to stop the flow

Fill valve issues

The fill valve controls how much water enters the cistern after each flush. If it does not close fully, water keeps flowing and eventually escapes through the overflow tube. Fill valves are cheap and quick to replace and this is often the fastest fix for a noisy toilet.

Flush valve issues

At the bottom of the cistern there is a rubber seal or flapper that holds water in until you flush. Over time this seal wears out or gets covered in limescale, letting water leak slowly into the bowl. Replacing the seal usually stops the running noise and the constant refilling.

Float problems

The float tells the fill valve when the tank is full. If the float is set too high, water rises above the correct level and drains through the overflow — so the fill valve keeps topping it up forever. Adjusting the float, or replacing it if it is damaged, is a simple job for a plumber.

Why you should repair it quickly

A running toilet can waste more water than a leaking tap. It also wears out other parts of the cistern faster and can cause limescale build-up around the bowl. A quick toilet repair Limassol visit often solves the problem quickly and pays for itself in water savings very quickly.