A running toilet can waste hundreds of litres a day. You hear it hiss long after the flush. The good news: most causes are cheap and easy to fix.
What makes a toilet run?
Inside the cistern are two main parts. The flapper seals the water in. The fill valve lets new water in after a flush. When one fails, water leaks through and the toilet keeps refilling.
Quick checks you can do
- Lift the lid. Watch a flush. See if the flapper drops and seals fully.
- Check the flapper. If it looks worn or warped, it needs replacing. This is the most common cause.
- Check the water level. If water spills into the overflow tube, the level is set too high. Adjust the float down.
- Add food colouring. Put a few drops in the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper leaks.
A worn flapper or float is a simple swap. Parts are cheap at any hardware shop and take a few minutes to fit.
When to call a plumber
Call for help if the leak is at the base of the toilet, if water pools on the floor, or if the fill valve keeps failing after a new part. Those point to a worn seal or a pressure problem that needs a proper look.
Kondebe handles toilet repairs, leaks and burst pipes across Knysna. Our call-out fee is R350, and you get a clear quote before we start. See our plumbing services for the full list.