How to Fix a Leaking Toilet
The toilet is, without a doubt, the most important seat in your home. No matter how much you love sitting on your recliner, if you have to pick which one you can’t live without, hands down, the toilet wins.
A leaking toilet not only increases your water bill but if the water pools on your bathroom floor it can cause serious water damage. So if you have a leaking toilet, it’s a good idea to learn some basic troubleshooting, especially if you have little kids who don’t understand the concept of holding it in.
Regardless of your circumstances, keep in mind that leaky toilets cause hundreds of gallons of water to go to waste each year.
The 3 Most Common Causes of a Leaking Toilet & How to Fix It
1. Faulty Flapper
This is likely the issue if when you flush the toilet, it doesn’t stop running. It’s also one of the easiest DIY fixes. To get started, you’ll need the following tools:
Materials
- Wirecutters
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Universal flapper (you can purchase one at any hardware store)
2. Problems With the Fill Valve
This is one of the most common toilet issues. When you have a faulty fill valve, you’ll hear water running continuously, or the toilet may not even flush at all. Even if you don’t hear the water running, it’s important to know that sometimes, minor leaks in toilets go unnoticed.
The best way to determine a leak due to a faulty valve is to pour some food coloring into your toilet tank to see if the water in the bowl turns the same color.
3. Damaged Wax Seal on Bottom of the Toilet
This is likely the culprit if you see small puddles of water by the toilet base. To fix this issue, you’ll actually have to remove the toilet. Before you get started, make sure you have the following materials handy:
Materials
- Replacement wax seal
- Plumber’s putty
- Wrench
- Small container
When you’re ready to get started, shut off the water. You can do this by turning the valve by the toilet base clockwise. Then flush the toilet to empty the tank. Place the small container underneath the valve in case water leaks while you do the repairs.
When you’re done, remember to turn the water supply back on.