Wondering how to tell if your toilet is leaking? Below are some points to help you.
How to Detect a Toilet Leak? Methods to Try!
Before we find out how, let’s talk about when to test – as soon as you suspect a leak. You want to do that in the interest of saving both money and water. Good thing there are simple ways to detect a toilet leak.
- Check the Toilet Tank’s Water Level
The first method is for you to check the water level of the toilet tank. Toilet tanks have an overflow tube, which tells if the water level is too high or if the ballcock is misaligned. If it is any of these conditions, the water will continuously spill over down the drain.
- Use Food Coloring to Check for Other Leaks
The second method involves using food coloring or a dye tablet. Just drop the tablet or coloring into the toilet tank then wait for 15 to 20 minutes. After this time passed, don’t look at the tank but the toilet bowl. If you can see that it now has colored water, then you have a leaking toilet.
Causes of Leaking Toilet
Here is a question that has probably bug you for a while:
“Why is it that my toilet is leaking?”
You now know how to detect if your toilet leaks, but knowing the cause is just as essential to prevent water and money from being wasted. On that note, below are common causes of a leaking toilet.
- The Dreaded Clog
Can clogging be the reason that my toilet is leaking? It sure does. It happens when plunge too hard to dislodge whatever was causing the dreaded clog. If you thrust down hard, the wax seal separating the toilet and floor breaks. If that happens, you end up with a leak that can drain the toilet.
- The Bowl Empties Slowly
If your bowl empties slowly, it is usually is caused by a worn-out flapper. Because of this, the water in the tank is blocked from entering the bowl. The flapper’s worn-out part also causes the water to leak into the bowl constantly. Fixing the flapper will also repair your leaking toilet.
- Water Trickling into the Tank
If this is the problem, it is likely because of an overflowing tank or could also be a damaged flapper. The flapper is possibly not seated properly, which seals tightly against the valve seat. Fixing the misaligned flapper or the overflowing tank will fix the problem with your leaking toilet.
- Others
If it isn’t those mentioned above, the problem could be one of the other reasons below:
- Cracked tank or bowl
- Rusted pipes
- Worn out or loose seal at the base
- Worn out or loose tank-to-bowl connections
What to do?
You already learn how to detect a toilet leak, but what to do then after finding out? Time to fix it then! Now, remember that the repair method that you’ll apply depends on the cause of the leak. That’s why you need to inspect the toilet first to see what’s causing the leak.
- Worn-Out Flapper
You need to turn off the water first, flush the toilet, then hold down the handle to ensure that water is out of the tank. Use a sponge to dry excess water. After this, you can begin replacing the flapper. Just put a matching flapper onto it then reattach the water supply hose again.
- Faulty Fill Valve
What to do with a faulty fill valve? First, turn off the water supply then take the lid off the tank. Begin flushing the toilet so you can remove the old valve then install the new one. Make sure it is the correct height, and after you are done installing, reattach the water supply hose.
- Damaged Wax Seal
This one is a little tricky. You will have to remove the toilet. If you are ready, start by shutting the water off then flushing water so the tank will be empty. Male sure you’ve disconnected the water supply line. Gently rock the toilet to break off the seal and caulking.
After that, you can start installing the new toilet seal. Do it by placing the new seal on the floor’s flange, round side up. Then, lift the toilet and put it over the flange, making sure it is as level as it can be. It will help to sit on the toilet to make sure it seals completely. When you’re done, put back everything you disconnected or removed.
The Dangers of Leaking Toilet
There are two adverse effects that a leaky toilet has for you – water damage and mold damage. If water leaked from your toilet or the water tank, things on the bathroom could end up wet. It can also cause accidents due to slippery floor. The damage caused by mold is also as deadly as any of this, from nasal stuffiness to skin irritation.
Keep all the points mentioned above to prevent the dangers of a leaking toilet!