Perhaps you’ve fallen asleep but were awoken by the noise of your toilet running! The issue is frequently described by plumbers as “phantom flush” and it sounds as if your toilet has been flushing its own! Your toilet can randomly go intermittently for just a few seconds as a result of an issue known as “phantom flush”. 

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It is the result of slow leaks of water from the tank to the bowl. It is usually due to a buildup around the flapper (aka “flush valve seal”) or a damaged flapper seat. The accumulation of minerals caused by hard water can prevent the flapper from completely sealing. If sufficient water escapes out of the tank the refilling mechanism gets activated, resulting in an “phantom flush .”

As previously mentioned it is typically caused due to a build-up of hard water or sediment minerals. Other possible causes include the following:

An Improperly Installed Flapper Chain

The chain that holds the flapper lets the flapper lift down and up when flushing the toilet. If the chain isn’t connected correctly (or when it’s too long or short) this could affect the flapper’s ability to fully close the hole, creating a sloppy running toilet.

A Leak in the Fill Valve

Fill valves are responsible for filling the tank once the toilet has been flushed. In the event that the valve becomes damaged or leaks it will allow water to fill the tank, which causes the toilet to run. A steady leak that is intermittent could be the cause of the toilet’s running in a random fashion. 

A Faulty Toilet Handle

A handle that is stuck or is sunk instead of popping up might be the reason.If the handle is not returned to its initial position after cleaning, the lever could allow more water to enter the tank than is necessary.This could make the toilet run at random.