This customer contacted us after noticing something that didn’t make sense – their water bill kept going up every month.
- No puddles.
- No dripping faucets.
- No visible pipe leaks.
- No water around the foundation.
Just a higher water bill every cycle. When homeowners in North Dallas start searching for Plumber Near Me, most assume the worst – slab leak, underground pipe break, hidden wall damage. But in reality, one of the most common causes of a high water bill is much simpler: A constantly running toilet.
What Was Actually Happening
When FPP Plumbing arrived, we performed a full plumbing inspection. We checked:
• Exterior hose bibs
• Water heater area
• Visible supply lines
• Shut-off valves
• Pressure behavior
• Toilet tank operation
Within minutes, we found the issue. The toilet wasn’t shutting off completely, it was the running toilet
The flush valve seal inside the tank had worn out, and water was slowly leaking from the tank into the bowl 24 hours a day. It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t obvious. There was no dramatic overflow. It was a silent internal leak.
This is what homeowners search for as:
• running toilet repair
• toilet constantly running
• toilet leaking into bowl
• why is my toilet running non stop
• high water bill but no visible leak
The tank would fill. Water would slowly leak past the deteriorated flapper seal. The fill valve would kick back on. And the cycle would repeat – all day, all night. The homeowner didn’t notice it. The water meter did.
How Much Water Can a Running Toilet Waste?
A bad flush valve can waste hundreds of gallons per day. Over a month? Thousands of gallons. That’s why customers suddenly see a spike in their water bill and think something catastrophic is happening underground. In many cases, it’s just a worn rubber seal. Why
Why We Replaced Both the Flush Valve and Fill Valve
In this case, both internal components were installed about five years ago. The flush valve failed first – but the fill valve was the same age. When one internal tank component wears out, the other usually follows shortly after.
If we replaced only the flush valve, the fill valve could start sticking, overfilling, or failing to shut off properly within months. That means:
• Another service call
• Another shut-off
• More labor
• More wasted time
So we made the smart call and replaced both components during the same visit. This is standard best practice in professional toilet repair in Frisco and Plano when internal parts are aging together.
What We Did
We removed the toilet tank and replaced:
• The flush valve assembly
• The fill valve
• All rubber seals and gaskets
• Tank-to-bowl gasket
• Tank bolts
We installed quality components, properly torqued the hardware, and adjusted the tank water level to manufacturer specifications. Every connection was checked. Before reinstalling the tank, we inspected:
• Shut-off valve
• Supply line After installation, we ran multiple flush cycles and confirmed:
• Proper shut-off • No continuous refill
• No micro-leaks • Correct water level
• Smooth flush performance
Now the toilet shuts off completely. No internal leak. No wasted water.
Why This Matters
A running toilet isn’t just annoying.
It increases your water bill.
It wastes treated municipal water. It stresses internal components.
It can eventually cause overflow issues if the fill valve sticks open.
Sometimes it’s minor. Sometimes it becomes an emergency.
We’ve had cases where an old fill valve failed completely and wouldn’t shut off. Water kept flowing into the tank nonstop. If the overflow tube can’t keep up, that turns into an emergency plumbing situation fast. If you ever hear constant water movement inside the tank and it won’t stop – that’s when you call an emergency plumber immediately.
Final Result
The homeowner now has:
• A properly functioning toilet
• No hidden internal leak
• Stable water usage
• Lower monthly water bills
Simple repair. Major impact.
If you’re in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, or anywhere around North Dallas and searching for a reliable Licensed Plumber , this is exactly the type of issue we solve every single week.
If your toilet is running nonstop, your water bill is rising, or you suspect a hidden leak inside the tank, don’t ignore it. A professional inspection takes minutes – and can save you hundreds of dollars.
Want to see more real-world repairs like this? Check out our plumbing blog, where we document actual jobs we complete across North Dallas every week. Running toilet today can turn into a bigger problem tomorrow. Fix it early. Fix it right.
If my toilet is running, can I fix it myself?
Yes, in many cases you can. Turn off the water supply and check inside the tank to see if the fill valve or flush valve seal is worn out. Universal replacement kits are widely available. If you’re unsure about the shut-off valve or internal seals, a plumber can prevent leaks and repeat repairs.
How do I pick the right fill valve and flush valve for my toilet?
Most toilets use universal replacement valves, but some brands require specific sizes. Check the brand and model inside the tank and match the base size and height of the valve. Taking a photo of the tank interior can help confirm the correct part before purchasing.
Should I replace the fill valve and flush valve at the same time?
Yes. The fill valve and flush valve usually wear out around the same time. Replacing both during one repair prevents repeat service calls and ensures proper shut-off and water efficiency.
