Is your toilet working perfectly? Or You flush, but instead of the reassuring sound of water running through the pipes and disappearing down the drain, you hear a gurgling noise. Or perhaps you’ve noticed water pooling around the base of your toilet. Chances are, you have a leaky toilet. Leaks can be caused by a variety of factors, from worn-out parts to improper installation.
As we care about you and your assets, we are here! In this article, we will describe the different causes of toilet leaking and their possible remedies. So, let’s get started!
Causes and Remedies of Toilet Leaking
Toilet leaking is a severe problem for most apartment owners. Here, we discuss the common causes of toilet leaking and their remedies.
1. Leaky Flapper Valve
A flapper valve is a rubber seal that covers the flush valve opening. It lifts up when you press the handle to start the flushing process and drops back into place to seal the flush valve opening after the water has been released. If it doesn’t form a tight seal, water will slowly seep through, causing your toilet to leak.
How to Fix it?
Leaky flapper valves can be fixed by replacing the rubber seal. You can buy a replacement flapper valve at a hardware store or home center.
2. Worn Out Flush Valve Seal
The flush valve seal is the rubber gasket that forms a watertight connection between the tank and the bowl. Over time, the seal can become complex and brittle, causing it to crack and allow water to leak through.
How to Fix it?
If your flush valve seal is worn out, you’ll need to replace it. This is a more involved repair that will require you to disassemble the toilet tank. Once the old seal is removed, install a new one in its place or contact the professional.
3. Cracked Porcelain Potty Ring
A porcelain potty ring is a plastic or rubber ring that sits between the bowl and the tank. It helps to seal the connection and prevent leaks. If it becomes cracked or broken, it can cause your toilet to leak.
How to Fix it?
If your porcelain potty ring is cracked, you’ll need to replace it. You can find replacement rings at most hardware stores or home centers.
4. Check for Condensation
Condensation is water vapor that has condensed into liquid form. It can occur on the outside of your toilet tank, particularly in humid climates. When the water in the tank is cold, it can cause condensation to form on the outside of the tank. While it’s not technically a “leak,” it can give the appearance of one.
Remedies
- To combat condensation, you can try wiping down the outside of the tank with a towel after each flush.
- You can also try turning down the temperature of your water heater.
- If neither of these solutions works, you may need to purchase a dehumidifier for your bathroom.
5. Loose Toilet Tank Bolts
These are the bolts that hold your toilet fixture in place. Over time, these bolts can become loose, causing the tank to rock back and forth and eventually leak.
How to Fix it?
Tighten the bolts with a wrench. You’ll need to replace them if they are too loose to be tightened. Bolts and washers can be found at most hardware stores or home centers.
6. Clogged Drain Line
If your toilet is leaking from the base, it could be due to a clogged drain line. When water drains from the tank, it flows through the drain line and into the sewer. If the drain line becomes clogged, water can back up and leak out around the toilet’s base.
How to Fix it?
You’ll need to clear the clog to stop the leak. A professional plumber best does this.
7. Cracked Toilet Bowl
Toilet bowls are mostly made from porcelain, which is usually a strong and durable material. However, it can become cracked over time, usually due to a hard impact (such as someone sitting on the lid), a manufacturing defect, or an effect that has caused the porcelain to crack. A cracked toilet bowl can leak water onto the floor.
How to Fix it?
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for a cracked toilet bowl. You will need to replace the entire fixture.
8. Broken Toilet Flange
A Toilet flange is the pipe fitting that connects your toilet to the drain pipe. It is usually made of PVC or ABS plastic. Over time, it can become cracked or broken, which can cause your toilet to leak. A broken toilet flange can cause water to leak into the floor around the base of the toilet.
How to Fix it?
If your toilet flange is broken, you will need to replace it with a new one. Only professional plumbers should do the replacement.
9. Damaged Wax Seal
A Wax seal is a wax ring that sits between the toilet bowl and the drain pipe. It forms a watertight seal to prevent leaks. A damaged wax seal can allow water to leak between the toilet and the flooring around it. If it becomes damaged or broken, it can cause water to leak from the base of the toilet.
How to Fix it?
If your toilet wax seal is damaged, you will need to replace it with a new one.
10. Improperly Installed Toilet
Installation of toilets is critical in preventing leaks. If your toilet was not installed properly, it could be the cause of your leak. Improper installation can cause any number of problems, from loose bolts to cracked porcelain. If you suspect that your toilet was not installed properly, it’s best to call a professional plumber to take a look.
Outcomes of Toilet Leaking
A toilet leak, if left unaddressed, can cause a number of problems in your home.
- Water damage to your home
- Higher water bills
- Wasted water
- Mold and mildew growth
- Insect or rodent infestation
- Soiled and stained floors and walls
- Health risks from mold and mildew exposure or contact with the sewage water.
- Damaged flooring
- Toilet bowl and tank damage
- Potential need to replace your toilet entirely.
If you are experiencing any issues with toilet leaks, be sure to get in touch with Valet Works immediately. We can help you diagnose and fix the problem and prevent any further damage to your apartment. We are experts in the repair and installation of toilets, and we offer 24/7 emergency service. Our team is available 365 days a year to address any plumbing emergencies that may arise. So don’t wait- call us today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long do toilet wax rings last?
It requires no upkeep, and it may last 30 or more years, sometimes even longer than the toilet. Wax rings can dry out, fracture, and break prematurely from time to time.
What happens if the toilet flange is broken?
Because the toilet is no longer fastened to the flange, which is secured to the subfloor, a fractured flange will cause it to move. When the toilet is flushed, water may leak onto the substrate and into the ceiling below because of the wax seal (located between the toilet and flange), which will likely be broken.
Should you caulk around your toilet?
Caulk keeps your toilet in place and minimizes the risk of harm or toilet failure. It is actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a bathroom to the floor, and now that you know why, why wouldn’t you want to?