A Running Toilet Can Waste Thousands of Gallons of Water
A toilet that runs continuously or leaks silently into the bowl is more than an annoyance—it can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per month. In many homes, a single failing toilet is responsible for unexpected spikes in water bills that go unnoticed for months.
The challenge is that toilet leaks aren’t always obvious. Many occur quietly inside the tank or through worn internal components that no longer seal correctly.
Every Toilet Is Different — One-Size-Fits-All Repair Kits Are Not
Modern toilets are not interchangeable systems. Each manufacturer designs their own fill valves, flush valves, and sealing components, often with proprietary dimensions and tolerances.
For this reason, Oasis Plumbing does not recommend generic “universal” toilet repair kits. While they may seem convenient, these kits are often a poor fit, leading to:
- Incomplete seals
- Premature failure
- Repeated adjustments
- Shortened service life
We strongly recommend genuine manufacturer replacement parts to ensure the correct fit, proper water levels, and long-term reliability.
Why Toilet Parts Fail Over Time
Even high-quality toilets rely on internal components that naturally wear out. For example, many TOTO fill valves use rubber diaphragms that slowly deteriorate due to constant exposure to chlorinated water. In many cases, these diaphragms begin breaking down after 8–12 years, leading to:
- Toilets that won’t stop running
- Slow tank refills
- Inconsistent flushing
The good news: replacement parts are readily available, and restoring the toilet to peak performance is usually a short, cost-effective service call.
Proper Repairs Can Extend a Toilet’s Life for Decades
If the porcelain is intact and the toilet is still a style you like, replacing internal components can give the fixture an exceptionally long service life. We regularly service toilets that are 20–40 years old that perform perfectly after proper valve and flush mechanism replacement.
This approach is often far more economical—and environmentally responsible—than full toilet replacement.
Dual-Flush Toilets: Efficient, but More Complex
While newer dual-flush toilets can reduce water usage, we often see higher maintenance requirements due to:
- Additional moving parts
- Specialized replacement components
- Higher part costs
In many cases, these systems require more precise servicing to maintain reliability, especially as they age.
The Cost of Waiting: Leaks Add Up Fast
One leaking toilet may not seem urgent—but multiple leaking toilets can result in staggering water waste and inflated utility bills. Left unchecked, minor internal leaks can also accelerate wear on other plumbing components.
Oasis Plumbing Is Here to Help
Whether your toilet runs intermittently, never shuts off, or leaks silently into the bowl, Oasis Plumbing can diagnose the issue quickly and repair it using the correct manufacturer-approved parts.
Call Oasis Plumbing today to stop water waste, protect your home, and restore your toilet to reliable, efficient operation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Running & Leaking Toilets
A toilet usually keeps running due to worn internal components such as the fill valve diaphragm, flush valve seal, or improper water level adjustment. These parts degrade over time and may no longer seal correctly, allowing water to continuously refill or leak into the bowl.
A running toilet can waste thousands of gallons per month. In Colorado, this wasted water can significantly increase both your water and sewer charges, making even a small internal leak expensive if left unrepaired.
While universal repair kits are widely sold, they often do not fit manufacturer-specific toilets correctly. Improper fit can cause recurring leaks, poor flushing performance, and premature failure. Oasis Plumbing recommends using genuine manufacturer replacement parts for reliable, long-lasting repairs.
Yes. Many toilet components—especially rubber parts—naturally deteriorate due to constant exposure to water and chlorine. For example, some TOTO fill valves use rubber diaphragms that commonly break down after 8–12 years, even in well-maintained homes.
If the toilet porcelain is in good condition and you still like the style, replacing internal components is often the best option. Properly repaired toilets can last decades, making repair far more cost-effective than full replacement in many cases.
Dual-flush toilets can save water, but they typically include more moving parts and specialized components. This added complexity can increase maintenance needs and replacement part costs over time compared to simpler single-flush systems.
A common test is adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank and waiting 15–20 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the toilet is leaking internally and wasting water—even if you can’t hear it.
Yes. Most toilet repairs involving fill valves or flush mechanisms can be completed during a short service call. Oasis Plumbing uses the correct manufacturer-approved parts to restore proper operation and stop water waste efficiently.