A running toilet is more than just a nuisance. It wastes gallons of water every month and could increase your utility bills significantly. In fact, a leaky toilet could cost you an extra few hundred dollars a year. If you have a running toilet, it's time to fix the problem. Here's how to do it.

new toilet

Reattach the Fill Tube

If your toilet won't stop running, the fill tube could be causing the problem. This small component facilitates water flow from the fill valve to the toilet overflow tube. Sometimes, though, the fill tube becomes loose or falls off. In these events, water will miss the overflow tube, which could potentially cause your toilet to leak.

Remove the toilet lid and check the fill tube. If the tube is loose, reattach it onto the fill valve. Flush your toilet and see if this has solved the problem.

Check the Flapper

If your toilet keeps running, check the flapper -- the rubber or plastic cap that keeps water in your toilet tank. The flapper should feel soft.

Then, check the flapper aligns over the drain properly. "Flappers can become dislodged and cause leaks. Make sure your flapper is seated directly over the drain."

If the flapper feels hard or doesn't attach over the drain properly, it's time to replace it. You can find replacement flappers in most hardware stores. However, make sure you reattach this item properly. Otherwise, you could cause damage to the water system in your toilet.

Call in a Professional

If the methods above don't work, it's time to enlist the services of a professional company like Benjamin Franklin, which specializes in toilet repair. An expert will diagnose the problem and fix your running toilet quickly. As a result, you can save on water usage and prevent unexpected utility bills.

Running toilets wastewater and could add hundreds of dollars to your utility bills. Hire a professional company like Benjamin Franklin to solve the problem once and for all. Contact Benjamin Franklin today and ask for a free estimate.