The toilet keeps refilling, even when nobody uses it.
A toilet that runs, hisses, or refills between uses may be losing water internally without leaving a puddle. Start by noting what you hear and when it happens. Does the tank refill continuously, briefly every so often, or only after a particular flush? Those details can help a plumbing provider separate a filling problem from water escaping between the tank and bowl.
Call about the leak877-702-1610Confirm the provider, address coverage, and charges before authorizing work.
If water is reaching the floor, overflowing, or appearing at the base, stop using the fixture and treat that as a different concern. The toilet-base leak guide covers that situation. A quiet internal leak and a leaking waste connection should not be combined into one remote diagnosis.
Listen for a pattern you can describe
You may first notice the sound late at night because the house is quiet. That does not mean the problem began at night. Record the approximate frequency you actually observe and whether anyone used another fixture at the same time. Avoid estimating gallons lost from the sound alone.
If moving the handle temporarily changes the behavior, tell the provider rather than treating that as a lasting repair. The handle, chain, sealing components, and fill mechanism can interact, but the correct part depends on the toilet's design and condition. Repeatedly adjusting pieces without understanding the mechanism can create another problem or hide the original pattern before a visit.
A dry bathroom does not rule out water loss
Water can pass from the tank into the bowl and enter the drain without appearing on the floor. Portland's official toilet-leak guidance describes a tank-to-bowl dye check. Follow the fixture manufacturer's cautions and leave the check to a provider if the lid is awkward, cracked, concealed, or unsafe to handle.
Do not dismantle a pressure-assisted or unfamiliar toilet based on instructions for a conventional tank. The absence of visible coloring or a noise during one short observation does not prove that an intermittent condition is absent. Tell the provider what was checked, how long you observed it, and whether the problem returned afterward.
Identify the toilet before buying parts
A photograph of the intact fixture can help, along with model information available without moving or dismantling it. Do not assume that all tanks use the same flapper, fill valve, or flush mechanism. Some assemblies need model-specific parts, and a repair kit selected by appearance may not address the actual failure.
If you have already replaced something, keep its package or product information and describe what changed. A provider can then distinguish an original worn component from a compatibility or adjustment issue. This history is especially useful when a toilet has been repaired several times but still refills between uses.
Tell the provider if the toilet has an enclosed tank or a design that differs from an ordinary exposed tank. Access and parts may be different. Do not remove a wall-mounted flush panel or a concealed assembly solely to gather information before the visit.
Compare the part repair with the condition of the fixture
Ask what failed and whether the surrounding mechanism is in usable condition. A proposal to repair a replaceable internal part is different from replacing the entire toilet. The provider should explain the reason for any broader recommendation, including damage, compatible-part availability, or a separate installation problem.
If considering replacement, discuss fit, dimensions, access, and any effect on the floor rather than choosing only by water-use claims. Ask which permit or inspection requirements apply to a replacement in Portland. Do not assume that the same administrative route applies to both internal maintenance and a new fixture installation. The provider can resolve the scope with the relevant authority before work begins.
Use the bill as a record, not a diagnosis
A higher bill may support the need to investigate, but its dollar amount alone cannot show how much water the toilet lost. Billing-period length, rates, other household use, and shared accounts can affect the total. Compare measured usage and dates, and ask the utility about anything you cannot interpret.
Keep the date you first noticed the issue and the date it was repaired. If you are a Portland Water Bureau customer, the official leak-adjustment route may be relevant after repair, subject to its conditions. The bill adjustment record page explains what to gather. Neither the plumber nor this website can promise that your account will qualify for a credit.
Notice whether the original behavior actually stops
Before the visit concludes, ask how the repaired mechanism was checked. Explain if the original refilling happened only after a delay so the provider understands the observation that prompted the call. Keep any instructions for use or follow-up, especially if another issue remains unresolved.
You do not need to sit beside the toilet indefinitely to certify the repair. You should know what normal operation is expected and whom to contact if the same sound returns. If you hear a new sound, describe it as new rather than assuming it has the same cause. A concise repair record makes that conversation easier.
For a running-toilet discussion, call 877-702-1610. Verify the answering provider, address coverage, and any diagnostic charge before authorizing a visit. Portland Leak Notes is an independent information and referral site, with no promised contractor availability or fixed repair price.