Why does my toilet fill 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.

Why does my toilet not fill up sometimes?

When a toilet is not filling up with water, it is a sign of a faulty fill valve, wrong height of the toilet float, a leaking flapper, cracked overflow tube or low water pressure. When the toilet tank won’t fill at all after flushing, make sure the shutoff valve is fully open.

Why does my toilet refill every few minutes?

If your toilet keeps refilling at 15-minute intervals, it probably has a leak. In the vast majority of cases, the problem is with the flapper, which is the rubber seal between the tank and the bowl. Turn off the toilet shutoff valve and flush the toilet. Hold down the handle to empty the tank as much as possible.

How do I know if my toilet is leaking?

Here is a simple Toilet Dye Test you can complete to see if your toilet is leaking.

Drip 10 to 15 drops of food coloring into the toilet tank.
Wait 10 minutes.
If colored water appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.
Generally the leak is in or around the plunger ball or flapper valve at the bottom of the tank.

Why does my toilet sound like it is flushing?

A toilet that sounds like it flushes itself is suffering from a leak inside the tank. A malfunctioning problem in a toilet that’s caused by a faulty part, such as a worn-out flapper valve, or a mechanical problem, such as loose toilet bolts, can cause it to sound as if it is being flushed by an unseen force.

Why does my toilet keep filling up after I flush?

If you hear your toilet tank continue to fill for a long time after you flush, a couple things may be wrong. First make sure that the shut off valve to your toilet is opened all the way so enough water can get to the tank to fill it up properly. Open the tank and see if the flap is positioned correctly.

What should I do if my toilet tank keeps filling up?

If a toilet fills randomly and empties without flushing, it is in need of a quick fix or repair. If you hear your toilet tank continue to fill for a long time after you flush, a couple things may be wrong. First make sure that the shut off valve to your toilet is opened all the way so enough water can get to the tank to fill it up properly.

Why does my toilet run for a few seconds?

Most commonly, something is preventing the flapper from closing completely. Therefore, it is always letting a small amount of water out of the bowl. Then, once the toilet tank is empty, the fill valve is triggered, and it refills the tank. That’s what you hear when your toilet runs for a few seconds—the tank refilling.

What causes water to come out of refill valve in toilet?

The refill valve creates a suction effect and pulls water out of the fill valve and into the toilet. If this is the case, the tube needs to be shortened or positioned just above the opening of the overflow.

What does it mean when your toilet fills randomly?

When enough water fills the tank and the float rises into place, it shuts the toilet filling valve off. This is all usually over in less than a minute if everything works correctly. If a toilet fills randomly and empties without flushing, it is in need of a quick fix or repair.

What should I do if my toilet tank is not filling?

For newer toilets, turn the fill valve adjustment knob with your hand to let more water into the tank. For all toilets, make sure the water level is about an inch below the top of the overflow tube. Flush the toilet and then check to see if the tank fills at the right rate and with the right amount of water.

How can I tell if my toilet tank is full?

For all toilets, make sure the water level is about an inch below the top of the overflow tube. Flush the toilet and then check to see if the tank fills at the right rate and with the right amount of water. Notice mineral buildup or gunk on the valve?

What happens when water comes out of toilet bowl?

If enough water is permitted to leak out of the tank, the filling mechanism will be triggered and the tank will refill. If enough water enters the toilet bowl, the self-siphonage will be triggered and the bowl will drain into the sewage system.