Why is my toilet occasionally leaking or running? This troubleshooting document relates to one or two-piece toilets.

Description of issue:

With this issue, toilets run or leak because water is leaking out of the tank. This may occur because the trip lever arm may be binding, water may be overflowing into the flush valve overflow tube or the flush valve flapper/canister seal may be worn.

Symptoms of Occasional Leaking or Running:

You will hear the toilet fill valve running occasionally to refill the toilet tank. Once the water drops low enough, the fill valve will turn on to refill the tank.

Corrective Actions:

1.) Adjust the trip lever chain for proper slack . The chain should have roughly one to two links of slack at most so the excess chain does not get caught on the trip lever arm. Remove excess chain if needed.

2.) Adjust tank water level to prevent water from overfilling and running into the flush valve overflow.

Flapper style flush valve (left) and canister style flush valve (right).

3.) Replace worn or dirty flapper or canister seal.

• There are two different types of flush valve styles that may wear down over time due to water conditions or from the use of in-tank cleaners.

Flapper style flush valve (left) and canister style flush valve (right).

• There is an additional flush valve gasket where the flush valve meets the bottom of the tank. It is recommended to replace the flush valve gasket to ensure leaking is resolved.