How Much Does a Running Toilet Cost?

A running toilet, when water continuously flows into the bowl even when not being flushed, can be an expensive problem for property owners. Understanding the environmental and financial impact of a running toilet is important not only to save money but also for our surroundings.

In this article, we’ll talk about how to diagnose and fix a running toilet, and what solution you can implement to reduce or avoid this type of problem.

Understanding a Running Toilet

A running toilet is a plumbing issue where water continuously or intermittently flows from the tank into the toilet bowl, even when the toilet is not being flushed.

This type of toilet leak is typically caused by a worn or malfunctioning toilet flapper valve, which controls water flow from the tank to the bowl.

Recognizing the signs of a running toilet, such as the constant sound of running water or an unusually high water bill, can help identify the problem early and avoid long-term problems like property damage and high water bills.

Diagnosing a Running Toilet

A toilet that keeps running can waste water and money. Here are a few ways to find the leak and address it before it becomes a bigger problem:

• Listen for sounds – Identify if there’s a constant sound of water running or if the toilet makes noise when not in use. These sounds are often signs of a toilet that runs constantly or off and on.

• Check the water level – Look inside the tank to see if water is reaching or spilling into the overflow tube. The water should be about an inch below the top of the tube. If not, adjust the float arm.

• Conduct a dye test – Add food coloring or a dye tablet to the tank and wait 15–30 minutes without flushing. If colored water appears in the bowl, there’s a leak from the tank.

• Inspect the flapper – Check the rubber flapper at the bottom of the tank. Clean off any mineral buildup. Press down on the flapper—if the water stops running, the flapper may be the problem.

• Examine the fill valve – Make sure the fill valve stops at the correct water level. Listen for hissing, which could mean the valve isn’t working right. Adjust the float if needed.

• Consider the water pressure – Use a pressure gauge to check your home’s water pressure. High pressure can cause running toilet problems. You may need a plumber to fix this.

How Much Does a Running Toilet Cost: A Simple Calculation

A running toilet might not seem like a big deal, but it can waste gallons of water every day. Here’s a simple way to find the true cost of every gallon wasted:

Estimate Water Loss Rate

Let’s figure out how much water a running toilet can waste. If it leaks nonstop at a moderate rate, it might waste around two gallons every minute. A bigger leak could waste three or even four gallons per minute.

Calculate Daily Water Waste

Now let’s see how that adds up in a day. If your toilet leaks two gallons per minute, that’s 2,880 gallons wasted in one day. If the leak is stronger and loses four gallons per minute, that’s 5,760 gallons a day.

Monthly Water Waste

To find out the monthly waste, just take the daily amount and multiply it by 30 days. This gives you a rough idea of how much water you might be losing in a month if the toilet keeps running.

Leak Size	Gallons per Day	Days per Month	Gallons per Month
Moderate leak	2,880	30	86,400
Large leak	5,760	30	172,800

Determine Cost per HCF or CCF

Water prices can be different depending on where you live and what kind of building you have. 

Many utilities also include sewer charges along with water. Instead of showing the price per gallon, most water bills show the cost per HCF (hundred cubic feet) or CCF (centum cubic feet). Bear in mind that these two are the same unit, just labeled differently.

Check our table below, which shows the price per HCF at certain locations, along with potential leak costs.

Save Money With Submetering

Submetering apartment buildings can measure water usage at the individual apartment unit and fixture level and can help detect running toilets early. By closely monitoring water consumption, submeters can identify sudden spikes or consistent overuse that may indicate a running or leaking toilet.

With the help of submetering devices, homeowners or multifamily property owners can address running toilets quickly, save water, and avoid costly water bills.

Here's a sample case study from DrizzleX when they implemented a submetering solution for toilets in a property.

1. Dramatic reductions: Achieved a 68% decrease in water usage and saved a total of 753,153 gallons of water per year.

2. Cost efficiency: Demonstrated financial savings of $13,794, underscoring the economic benefits of addressing running toilets.

3. Before and after installation: Pre-installation daily average ranged from 2,703 to 3,449 gallons while the post-installation daily average significantly reduced to between 913 and 1,627 gallons.

4. Per unit efficiency: In 2022, each unit averaged 255 gallons per day. But when they joined DrizzleX (2023), it dramatically dropped to 83 gallons per unit per day.

How DrizzleX Can Help You Detect Leaky Toilets

DrizzleX allows you to detect hidden leaks, such as running toilets and leaky faucets, to stop millions of gallons of waste each year. It also alerts you to excessive water overuse by tenants. Typically, buildings that use DrizzleX reduce their water bills by 25–45% or more.

You can expect a pretty quick return on investment (ROI). Buildings with DrizzleX save enough water to cover the entire cost of DrizzleX within about nine months on average.

Usage Reports

One of DrizzleX's solutions is the “Water Consumption Insights Report.” Since many people aren't really aware of their excessive water usage, an accurate report can be very helpful in preventing unnecessary expenses. Using the reports, you can communicate with your tenants about their water consumption habits and back them up with precise data.

Leak Detection

Leaks can be sneaky because they aren't always visible. With property inspection, you can see the obvious ones. But, silent leaks will only show up on your utility bills. DrizzleX gives you water control because you can monitor the water flow in your building.

The system will notify you about where and how much water is being lost.

E-mail Notifications

Once DrizzleX spots the leak, it will notify you via email. The message you receive will include all the details about the exact apartment and fixture that is the culprit, how many gallons were used, how much it will cost you if the problem isn’t fixed, and even possible causes for the water waste and how to fix it.

Billing

DrizzleX also allows you to bill your tenants. Tenants conserve water when they are the ones paying for it. You can easily create water bills based on accurate water consumption and bill them fairly.

Get a quote now!

FAQs About How Much Does a Running Toilet Cost

Does a running toilet run up your bill?

Yes, a running toilet can raise your monthly water bill fast. A toilet running nonstop is typically caused by a faulty flapper, fill valve, or flush valve that doesn't seal properly. This leads to high water usage, running water, and water waste.

A leaking toilet can generally waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, especially if the overflow tube or water supply line is damaged. That’s a significant amount of wasted water. Even a small leaky faucet or stuck open flush handle can cause the same problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency warns that this can lead to unnecessary expenses, mold, and high toilet costs. Use food coloring in the toilet tank to test for leaks in the toilet bowl.

Do I need a plumber for a running toilet?

Not always. Many running toilet issues come from worn parts like the rubber seal, flapper valve, or fill valve. These control water flow and may just need a simple adjustment to the float arm or flush handle.

But if the issues persist, or you hear hissing sounds, call a licensed plumber. A leak from the supply line, main water supply, or toilet tank might mean bigger plumbing issues. An extreme toilet leak could damage flooring or cause mold growth, so don’t wait too long.

Is it cheaper to fix a toilet or replace it?

Toilet repair is usually cheaper than buying a new one. Fixing a leaky toilet often means swapping a flapper valve, fill valve, or flush valve. These replacement parts cost less and help save money on your water bill.

But if you have an old toilet using too many gallons per flush, a new one can bring long-term cost savings. It depends on the damage, how often it leaks, and your local water rates.

How expensive is a running toilet?

A running toilet can raise your monthly water bill by $70 or more, depending on local water rates. It can waste hundreds of gallons of water per day, adding up to thousands of gallons per month.

The cost comes from a leaky toilet with a bad fill valve, flush valve, flapper valve, or rubber seal that doesn’t seal properly. Even a worn float arm, overflow tube, or supply line can cause the water flow to stay on.

Can quick fixes really stop a running toilet from wasting water?

Yes, in many cases, quick fixes can solve the problem, especially if the toilet is running due to a simple issue like a misaligned float, worn flapper, or loose chain. These parts are inexpensive and easy to replace without a plumber.

In the above scenario, where thousands of gallons are lost daily, addressing the issue promptly with a DIY repair can prevent skyrocketing bills. However, results can vary depending on how severe the leak is.