Serving Melton, Bacchus Marsh & Melbourne’s West A toilet that keeps running after flushing is one of the most common calls we get across Melton and Bacchus Marsh. Most homeowners ignore it for weeks because it seems minor. It isn’t. A running cistern can add hundreds of dollars to your water bill and the repair is usually straightforward.
Quick Answer: Most Common Toilet Faults in Melton Homes
- Faulty flapper valve not sealing after flush
- Worn or cracked inlet/fill valve
- Float set too high causing continuous overflow into bowl
- Broken flush button or dual-flush mechanism
- Cracked cistern or pan
- Blocked toilet from non-flushable items or root intrusion
- Leaking seal between cistern and pan
Modern dual-flush toilets are far more water-efficient than older single-flush suites. Replacement often makes sense for toilets over 15 years old.
The Running Toilet: What’s Actually Happening Inside
The Flapper Valve
This rubber disc sits at the bottom of the cistern and seals the flush outlet between flushes. When the rubber warps, cracks, or accumulates mineral deposits (common in Melton’s harder water), it doesn’t seal properly and water drips continuously into the bowl. This is the single most common cause of a running toilet.
The Fill Valve
This controls how the cistern refills after a flush. When it wears out, the cistern either overfills and drips constantly through the overflow tube, or it keeps running as it tries but fails to fill properly.
The Float
The float tells the fill valve when to stop. If it’s set too high or is waterlogged, water reaches the overflow tube and constantly drains into the bowl.
How Much Does a Running Toilet Actually Cost You?
| Severity of Leak | Daily Water Loss | Monthly Water Loss | Approx. Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor drip (barely audible) | ~50 litres | ~1,500 litres | ~$3-5 |
| Moderate running (faint hiss) | ~200 litres | ~6,000 litres | ~$12-18 |
| Constant run (audible) | ~400 litres | ~12,000 litres | ~$24-36 |
Blocked Toilets in Melton and Bacchus Marsh
- Flushing wet wipes, paper towels, or cotton products
- Children’s toys or foreign objects dropped or flushed
- Excessive toilet paper in a single flush
- Older sewer lines with partial root intrusion restricting flow
- Drain line sag or partial collapse in older Bacchus Marsh properties
★★★★★
“We called New Image Plumbing after smelling gas near the side of our house. They arrived quickly, located the leak and repaired it on the spot. While there, they also helped us with a leaking toilet. Reliable, respectful and extremely thorough.”
Renee & Paul, Caroline Springs • Verified Google Review
Repair vs Replace: How to Decide
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Toilet under 8 years old, single fault | Repair |
| Toilet 8-15 years old, second fault in 2 years | Discuss replacement |
| Toilet over 15 years old, single-flush, repeated issues | Replace with dual-flush suite |
| Cracked cistern or cracked bowl (any age) | Replace |
| Wobbling or shifting toilet base | Urgent repair (floor damage risk) |
490+
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9yr
Max Warranty
$55
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