My Toilet Is Leaking Water – How to Stop the Leak

My Toilet Is Leaking Water. If water leaks from underneath your toilet, fixing the problem as soon as possible is essential to prevent costly damage to the floor and surrounding area. Fortunately, a few simple steps can often solve the issue.

Start by shutting off the water supply valve. Next, add several drops of food coloring to the tank water and wait a few minutes.

Tighten the Closet Bolts/Toilet Leaking

The closet bolts fasten the toilet base to the floor, so loose ones may cause the wax ring that seals the drain to leak. Using a wrench, carefully tighten the bolts one-quarter turn at a time and alternate sides until they are snug. Do not overtighten, which can crack the porcelain.

If a small pool of water is under the toilet, a simple repair can prevent expensive repairs to finished flooring and underlying framing. Leaking toilet water trapped beneath the flange rots floor surfaces and sometimes causes mold problems.

If the water supply line leaks, disconnect it by turning the compression nut off the shutoff valve. Next, pry off the plastic caps over the closet bolts (step 1) and then remove the bolts (step 2). Replace the washers and nuts on both sides, being careful not to overtighten them. Use a rubber washer on both bolts to ensure a good seal.

Check the Wax Ring/My Toilet Is Leaking Water

When a toilet is installed correctly, a thick wax ring creates an airtight seal between the toilet base and the drain pipe. If this ring is damaged, water will leak out and pool on the floor. This could lead to costly water damage in your home.

A puddle on the floor surrounding your toilet indicates that the wax ring must be replaced. This relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself project can help prevent water damage in your bathroom.

Foul odors around the toilet indicate that the wax ring is failing. These smelly gases, which include hydrogen sulfide and methane, can penetrate the weak seal created by a faulty wax ring.

Replacing the wax ring is easy and should be done when you see signs it’s wearing down. Hitch Property Constructions offers a range of residential remodeling services, including replacing the wax ring in your toilet.

Check the Water Level

If a small puddle forms under your toilet, it’s essential to stop the leak immediately. Otherwise, the water will rot the finished flooring, subflooring, and even the underlying framing.

The simplest way to do this is by using the tank water test. With a full tank, mark the water level with a pencil, shut off the valve beneath the toilet, and wait 30 minutes. If the water level drops, then you have a toilet tank leak.

You can also try using a leak detection tablet or food coloring in the tank to confirm a leak. However, these methods don’t verify where the leak is occurring. If you’re still unsure, contact a plumber for help. If your toilet has a crack in the tank, it must be replaced. This job requires professional service and should only be performed by a licensed plumber. A cracked tank is a serious issue and can lead to several major fixture failures.

Replace the Flapper/My Toilet Is Leaking Water

A worn-out flapper allows water to flow continuously from the tank into your toilet bowl, wasting water and driving up utility bills. Drop some food coloring in the tank; if you see the color in your bowl, you’ll know it’s time to replace the flapper.

First, shut off your water supply valve. You may also want to disconnect the water flex line from its connection to your toilet to prevent any future leaks.

Flappers come in various styles, some using a plastic framework and others a rubber flap that clips onto small pegs on the base of the overflow tube. The best way to determine your type is by looking at it, explains Forbes Home.

Our Plumbing Services>> https://emergencyplumbery.com/ourservices/plumbing-installation/

When you’re ready to install a new flapper, start by unclipping the existing chain from the flush handle lever (the bar that runs horizontally across the tank) to a space just above the overflow tube. Then, align the new flapper with the pegs and slide or snap it into place.