5 Potential Causes of Toilet Leaks

If you have a leaking toilet, it will need to be fixed quickly. It’s a major inconvenience when your toilet isn’t working properly, and leaks can also cause water damage. Here are five common causes of toilet leaks.

Loose Bolts

Tee bolts hold your toilet in place. If the bolts break or become loose, the toilet’s seal will begin to leak. To fix this issue, make sure your toilet is centered and leveled, and tighten the bolts. If the bolts are broken or will not tighten properly, contact a plumber for toilet repair.

Damaged Wax Ring

If your toilet has a leak at the base, the wax ring is likely to be the cause. The wax ring seals the pipe connecting the toilet to the floor. A wax ring is inexpensive to replace, but the job will require removing the toilet. You should have a plumber replace the ring for you.

Fill Valve

One of the most common toilet issues is a faulty fill valve. The fill valve can become worn out over time. If your fill valve is damaged, you will hear water constantly running. You can test your fill valve by pouring food coloring into your toilet tank. If the water in the bowl turns the same color, you have a leak.

Flapper

The flapper is located inside the toilet tank. When you flush, the flapper drains water from the toilet tank and into the bowl. If the flapper does not return to the down position properly, water will continue to flow into the bowl. The flapper can become stuck if the flush handle is stuck. A worn or damaged flapper will also cause leaks.

Condensation

It’s possible the water around your toilet is simply from condensation. Your bathroom can become very humid, especially when you take a shower. Water that’s produced by condensation is not a cause for concern.

For assistance with a leaking toilet or any other plumbing repair, please contact us.