Toilet Running or Not Flushing?
If your toilet is running extra-long or has a weak flush, here are a few ways to troubleshoot a quick fix. The toilet has lots of moving parts to keep it functioning, here is a guide of all those parts and pieces to refer to.
1. Check Flapper Inside of Tank
The flapper is the rubber seal at the bottom of the toilet tank. When you flush, it lifts to let water into the bowl and then seals back into place. If it isn’t sealed properly, water will continue to leak into the bowl—and the toilet will keep running.
🔨 How to fix it:
- Take the tank lid off and look at the rubber flapper.
- If it’s crooked, stuck open, or not sealed, try adjusting the chain or resetting it by hand.
- Sometimes the flush lever can get stuck or slightly misaligned—try giving it a gentle wiggle to help the flapper drop back into place.
- If the flapper is worn or warped, it’s an easy and inexpensive part to replace.
2. Make Sure the Chain Isn’t Too Tight or Too Loose
The chain connects the flush handle to the flapper. If it’s not adjusted properly, it can cause flushing problems.
👀 What to look for:
- Too loose: The flapper won’t lift fully, and the toilet may have a weak or incomplete flush.
- Too tight: The flapper may not seal after flushing, causing constant running.
🔨 Quick fix:
- Adjust the chain length so there’s just a little slack when the flapper is closed, but short enough that it lifts fully when the handle is pushed.
3. Check the Water Level in the Tank
The toilet needs enough water in the tank to create a strong flush. If the water level is too low, you may not get enough force to properly empty the bowl.
How to check it:
- Remove the tank lid and look inside.
- You’ll usually see a “fill line” mark on the inside wall of the tank or the overflow tube.
- The water should be about 1 inch below the top of the overflow tube. If it’s significantly lower, that’s likely your problem.
How to adjust a ball float:
- Look for an adjustment screw or clip where the float arm connects to the fill valve.
- To raise the water level: Turn the screw or slide the clip to extend the float arm, which allows the ball to rise higher.
- To lower the water level: Do the opposite; this will cause the ball to drop sooner.
- Make adjustments slowly and test by flushing to see if the water reaches the desired level.
Note: Some modern toilets have a slide mechanism to fill the valve. If so, slide it up or down to adjust the water level.
⏩ Next Steps?
If that solved the issue and you have an open Customer Service request with Patterson Company, email service@buypatterson.com to close the ticket.
If the problem is still not resolved, a Patterson Company new home specialist will come by to take a look themselves.
Refer to section I.1.c in the PWSC for any warranty questions.