Why does my toilet keep running after flushing?

A constantly running toilet is almost always caused by a faulty flapper valve, a float set too high, or a worn fill valve. Start by checking the flapper — if it does not seal flat against the drain seat, replace it. This is a $5-$10 fix that takes under 10 minutes.

How do I unclog a toilet without a plunger?

Pour one cup of dish soap and hot (not boiling) water into the bowl and wait 15 minutes. The soap lubricates the clog and the heat breaks it down. If that fails, a toilet auger will clear 95% of clogs without a plunger.

What is the best toilet brand in 2026?

TOTO leads for flush performance and longevity. Kohler is best for design variety. American Standard offers the best value under $300. The right brand depends on your rough-in measurement, bowl shape, and budget.

What is rough-in measurement for a toilet?

Rough-in is the distance from the wall behind your toilet to the center of the floor drain bolt holes. Standard US rough-in is 12 inches. Buying the wrong rough-in size is the number one installation mistake homeowners make.

Toilet Water Savings Estimator — See How Much You Could Save

Toilet Water Savings Estimator — See How Much You Could Save | ToiletsExpert

Older toilets using 3.5–6 gallons per flush are costing you money every day. Upgrading to a WaterSense-certified 1.28 GPF model could save a family of four more than 13,000 gallons per year. Enter your household details below to calculate your exact annual savings — in gallons and dollars.

💧 Free Tool

Water Savings Estimator

See exactly how much water and money you’ll save by switching to a modern efficient toilet — updated in real time.

🚽 Your Current Toilet

Select how many gallons your existing toilet uses per flush.

Current flush volume What year was it installed?

✅ New Toilet You’re Considering

Select the flush volume of the toilet you want to install.

New flush volume Lower = more savings

👥 Household & Usage

Adjust based on your home — we’ll calculate your real usage.

People in household 2

National average: 2.5 people per household

Flushes per person per day 5

Average is 5 flushes/person/day (EPA data)

💰 Your Water Rate

Check your water bill — look for $/CCF or $/1,000 gal.

Rate format

$ per 1,000 gallons

US national average: ~$6 per 1,000 gallons (combined water + sewer). Check your bill for accuracy.

⚙️

Select toilets above to see your savings

Choose your current and new toilet’s GPF to calculate your annual water and money savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toilets installed before 1994 use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush — sometimes more for early 1970s models. The 1994 Energy Policy Act mandated a 1.6 GPF maximum for all new toilets in the US. If your toilet predates 1994, replacing it with a modern 1.28 GPF WaterSense model can save a family of four 15,000–20,000 gallons per year.

WaterSense is the EPA’s water-efficiency labeling program. A WaterSense-certified toilet uses a maximum of 1.28 gallons per flush (20% less than the 1.6 GPF federal standard) and has been independently tested to flush at least 350 grams of solid waste in a single flush. This means you get real water savings without sacrificing flushing performance.

Modern low-flow and ultra-low-flush toilets perform as well as or better than older high-volume models. Flushing technology has improved dramatically — features like pressure-assisted flush, tornado/cyclone flush, and optimized trapway design mean 1.28 GPF toilets from brands like TOTO and Kohler consistently outperform older 3.5 GPF toilets on waste removal with a fraction of the water.

For a household replacing a 3.5 GPF toilet with a 1.28 GPF model, annual savings typically range from $80–$160 depending on household size and local water rates. A $300 toilet pays for itself in 2–4 years. Many water utilities also offer rebates of $50–$200 for replacing old toilets with WaterSense models, which shortens the payback period significantly.