Running toilet or leaky faucet: repair or replace, and cost
For Silicon Valley homes · Updated October 2026 · Sources below
A running toilet is usually a worn flapper or fill valve, and a dripping faucet is usually a worn cartridge, washer or seal - both are inexpensive fixes. They're worth fixing fast: the EPA says a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year. Replacing an old toilet with a WaterSense model can save nearly 13,000 gallons a year.
The short version
- Dye test: put food coloring in the toilet tank - color in the bowl after 10 minutes means a leak
- Toilet flappers should be replaced at least every five years (EPA)
- A faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year (EPA)
- WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less; older toilets can use up to 6
- California: pre-1994 homes must have water-conserving toilets, showerheads and faucets
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What it costs
- Repair a toilet$150 - $391
- Repair a leaky faucet$200 - $330
- Replace a kitchen faucet$162 - $364 (average $262)
Replacing a fixture adds the cost of the new fixture.
Typical ranges from published cost guides - mostly national figures. Bay Area prices usually run higher. Your actual price depends on your home and the job, and a pro gives you the real number. Source: HomeAdvisor cost guide (national) (Jun 2026). Have a quote? Check it with the Quote Explainer
Signs of a toilet or faucet problem
- The toilet runs, hisses or refills on its own
- Dye from the tank shows up in the bowl
- Water on the floor around the toilet base, or a toilet that rocks
- A faucet that drips or leaks around the handle
- Water in the cabinet under the sink
Repair or replace?
- Usually worth repairing: a worn flapper, fill valve or flush handle; a faucet cartridge, washer or O-ring.
- Usually time to replace: a cracked tank or bowl, a corroded faucet body, or a fixture where parts are hard to find.
- An older toilet that uses far more than 1.28 gallons per flush is a good candidate for a WaterSense replacement.
- Water on the floor at the toilet base often means a failed wax seal - fix it soon so the subfloor doesn't rot.
In Silicon Valley
- California law (Civil Code 1101.1-1101.8): single-family homes built on or before January 1, 1994 had to replace noncompliant fixtures by January 1, 2017 - toilets over 1.6 gallons per flush, showerheads over 2.5 gallons a minute, and faucets over 2.2 gallons a minute. Cities like Santa Clara check this on permits.
- Valley Water offers Santa Clara County residents free water-saving devices like WaterSense showerheads and high-efficiency sink aerators.
Questions homeowners ask
Why does my toilet keep running?
Usually a worn flapper that lets water leak into the bowl, or a fill valve or float set too high. Try the EPA's dye test: put food coloring in the tank, wait 10 minutes without flushing, and if color shows in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
How do I fix a dripping faucet?
Most drips come from a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring inside the handle. Turn off the valves under the sink before taking it apart. If the faucet is old or corroded, replacing it can cost about the same as a repair.
How much water does a leaky faucet or toilet waste?
The EPA says a faucet dripping once a second wastes more than 3,000 gallons a year, and a worn toilet flapper can silently leak thousands of gallons a year.
Should I repair or replace my old toilet?
Replace a cracked tank or bowl. If it's an older model, a WaterSense toilet uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less, compared with up to 6 for old toilets, and the EPA says that can save nearly 13,000 gallons a year in a home.
How much does a plumber charge to fix a toilet or faucet?
National cost guides put toilet repair at about $150 to $391 and leaky faucet repair at about $200 to $330. Replacing a fixture adds the cost of the new fixture, and Bay Area prices usually run higher.
Why is there water around the base of my toilet?
It can be a failed wax seal under the toilet, a loose supply line, or condensation on the tank. If it's the seal, fix it soon - water seeping under the floor can damage the subfloor.
Do you need a permit?
Small repairs usually don't; replacing pipes does.
General guidance based on California's building code - your city can have stricter rules, and zoning, historic and HOA rules can apply too. Check with your city's building department before you start.
Check the rule for your cityQuestions to ask the pro
- Can this be repaired, or is replacing the fixture better value?
- Is the new fixture WaterSense labeled?
- Are parts and haul-away of the old fixture included?
- Will you replace the supply lines and shutoff valves while you're here?
- How long are the parts and labor warrantied?
Before you sign, check the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov. How to hire a contractor in California
Need a plumber?
Tell us about the job in 2 minutes - free. We send it to one local pro at a time, never a crowd.
Related answers
Sources
- U.S. EPA WaterSense - Fix a Leak Week (household leak facts)
- U.S. EPA WaterSense - Residential toilets
- City of Santa Clara - Plumbing Fixtures Certificate of Compliance (Civil Code 1101.1-1101.8)
- Valley Water - water-saving programs for Santa Clara County
General information for Silicon Valley homeowners, not professional advice for your home. Rules and programs change - check the source, and have a licensed pro look at your situation.