Why does my toilet suddenly start running water then stop?
Why does my toilet suddenly start running water then stop?
My toilet, a few times a day starts running water for a few seconds then stops. How do I fix it?
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Usually because the flap in the tank is letting a small amount of water out into the bowl. After a while, it'll trigger the fill valve to top itself back up.
You can try lifting the flap and cleaning it and the drain hole to see if that gives it a better seal. (Turn the valve off so it's not trying to refill while you work, obviously).
If not that or if the flap is visibly degraded, then you can buy a replacement flap at pretty much any home improvement store. They're easy to replace: they just kind of clip on.
Ok I'll give this a try.
That's usually the cause and easy to check. Less often, the fill valve can be wonky and just kind of kick on by itself.
If that's the case, you'll hear another sound while it's filling where the excess water is going down the overflow drain inside the tank. That's a harder fix as you have to replace the whole assembly, but it's not too terrible; just more involved than replacing the flap.
If the valve (as opposed to flap) is gone that far, then a good modern water savings toilet isn't that expensive and will probably flush better than the old one (good is key - there are many cheap toilets that don't flush well!). Consider replacing the whole toilet instead. You can also get a toilet style you like (I personally hate high toilets, but some prefer them). I strongly recommend a bidet while you are doing this as well.
I won't say you should always replace the toilet vs just the valve, but it is something to consider - the effort is similar and the cost isn't that much more. So if there is any reason to replace the toilet do it.
This toilet is only two years old.
Wow, I'd expect it to last longer than that, even a cheap one. You might want some weter treatment, get the water tested to see if it is destroying parts.