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A leaking toilet issue is becoming a nightmare. They are leading to increased water bills and mold infestations - the consequences are terrifying. The longer it goes unchecked, the worse the damage becomes. Hence, toilet repair becomes a necessity.
Toilets can leak for various reasons, from worn-out components to hidden cracks. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize the problem until it’s too late. The result? Wasted gallons of water, inflated utility costs, and potential health hazards due to mold and mildew growth.
So, if your toilet is showing signs of trouble, don’t wait until it gets out of your hand. Get professional plumbers. They help prevent further damage and keep your home safe and dry.
6 Reasons Why Your Toilet Might Be Leaking
Here are 6 major reasons why the toilet may be leaking -
1. Flapper Valve Issue
It is an essential rubber part of toilets that controls the water flow from the tank while flushing. Creating a suitable seal between the tank and the bowl stops water loss and keeps the tank's water level at the desired level.
The flapper valve may not form a tight seal if it is damaged or worn out, which could result in constant water leakage from the tank and ultimately raise water bills. Therefore, it's crucial to make sure your flapper valve is operating as it should.
2. Loose Tank Bolts
Have you noticed those plastic domes on your toilet base? Well, they are actually covered for connection bolts or tee bolts that anchor the toilet to the floor. They hold your toilet tank to the bowl. Over time, these bolts may gradually loosen due to frequent use or improper installation. Thus allowing water to leak out of the tank, especially around the bolt holes.
This water leak could cause mold growth or even damage to your bathroom floor. Make sure the bolts on your toilet tank are securely fastened using a wrench. If you see the toilet to be slightly off-centered, try adjusting it in the middle before tightening the bolts.
3. Old Wax Rings
Wax rings are, well, made of wax. They can be easily molded and shaped into the right configuration to prevent water from leaking out of the toilet base. Unfortunately, they are delicate and can get loose anytime - which leads to water leaking from the bottom and needs to be replaced immediately.
It’s an easy DIY job, but if you are a little hesitant about it, you can call in experienced plumbers to help you get the job done.
4. Damaged Or Cracked Toilet Bowl
The bowl may crack or develop other damage due to wear and tear as it ages. Manufacturing defects, natural age, or unintentional strikes could cause it. If these fissures are not fixed, they may cause water to leak and cause significant damage and water leaks at the base. Hence, they need to be replaced.
Remember, replacing a toilet bowl is not a DIY job until you have a good hands-on experience in plumbing. So, call one of the most reliable plumbers in Sacramento to help replace the bowl. This is because, if not fixed immediately, they can increase monthly water bills and cause structural damage.
5. Clogged Drain Lines
If you see toilets getting clogged easily and water leaking from the base, understand there might be an issue of a clogged drain line. The drain line moves the flushed water out of the home. Clogged drains can also put pressure on the wax rings, causing them to damage over time.
So, if you suspect any issue, immediately call professional drain cleaning in sacramento- they will unclog the drain lines using specialized equipment and professional methods. Thus ensuring the pipes will work fine for a long time.
6. Malfunctioning Fill Valve
A vital part of the toilet's flushing mechanism is the fill valve, often known as the ballcock or float valve. Its major function is to keep the tank's water level constant following each flush. However, it might not shut off entirely if the fill valve isn't functioning properly.
It can result in the tank overflowing because of the constant flow of water entering it. Therefore, contact licensed plumbers in San Jose to make sure the fill valve is operating properly and minimize any possible water damage or waste.
Why Shouldn’t You Leave Your Leaky Toilet Unattended?
Leaving your leaky toilet unrepaired can cause long-term damage to the bathroom, which also includes -
- Raising water bills.
- A leaky toilet base can cause damage to the roof underneath. It can lead to erosion of structural elements of your house and harm the walls, ceilings, and floors.
- It can lead to mold growth - which can endanger your health and diminish your home value.
How To Stop Leaking Toilet?
Here are 4 ways you can stop leaking toilets from ruining your bathroom -
1. Limit Condensation
It is important to divert or minimize condensation by installing an exhaust fan, warming the bathroom, and installing a drip tray beneath the tank. If a running toilet is a problem for your leaks - fix it immediately.
- Using a hot shower or bathtub if you have a cold bathroom can lead to condensation. You can add a heater in the bathroom to warm the elements and bring them closer to the temperature of the bathtub or shower.
- Install a bathroom exhaust fan. The fan should align with the size of your bathroom. If the existing exhaust isn't moving enough air, install a higher-capacity fan. Also, when using the restroom, make sure to always switch on the fan.
- Install a drip tank tray for the toilet. It is a watertight plastic tray that slides between the toilet bowl, and the tank is called a toilet tank drip tray. They collect the condensation and prevent them from dripping onto the floor.
- Lastly, consider adding a tank condensation liner that helps regulate the temperature of the water in the tank. These are rolls of thin foam are used to line the toilet tank. To install these, you may need to turn off the water supply to the toilet, open the lid, and allow the tank to dry fully. Attach the liner to the toilet's interior and put the lid back on.
Note: For this, you may need the help of plumbers, because their work includes a warranty and can help you pick the best unit to control the temperature of your bathroom.
2. Tighten The Bolts Connecting To The Floor
Bolts loosen over time, which may cause the toilets to rock at the bottom. This issue can be fixed by just simply tightening the bolts. However, if there’s a leaking seal issue - you should replace the seal, and here’s how to do it -
- Take off the plastic toilet bolt caps - which somewhat look like a dome. It can be squeezed or loosened with a screwdriver or nail file.
- If the toilet wiggles, tighten floor bolt nuts using pliers. To tighten the bolt, turn it clockwise and continue on the opposite side.
- Once the bolt is screwed, wiggle the toilet again to check if the nuts are snug enough.
Note: This is an easy DIY and does not require extensive experience. However, if you’re unsure of how you can do it, you can always get help from professional plumbers.
3. Change A Leaking Wax Ring
To fix a leaky wax ring, all you need to do is - remove the toilet, clean the flange, and replace the wax seal with a silicone ring or an upgraded seal. Here’s how you can do it -
- First, cut the water supply line, flush the toilet, and remove the toilet's water supply line by unscrewing it.
- Next, soak it up from the toilet bowl using a towel.
- Unscrew the floor bolts using a plier and remove the toilet. To get the toilet out, give it a little wiggle and lift it straight up.
- Now, scrape off the old wax ring from the bottom of the toilet using a putty knife.
- Once you’re done, it's time to apply the new ring. If you're using a silicone ring, mount it on top of the floor closet flange. On the other hand, if you're using a wax ring, stick it to the bottom of the toilet, centering it around the drain hole.
- Insert and secure the new floor bolts using plastic retaining rings in the closet flange with the threads facing up.
- Place the toilet directly on top of the bolts, add the nuts for the floor bolts, tighten them with the pliers, and reconnect the water supply line.
Note: Changing wax rings is easy, but to be sure that the work done is top quality, always hire plumbers.
4. Tighten Loose Toilet Tank
Tightening a bolt can improve the attachment between two sections of the toilet. If there is a faulty gasket issue - you can replace it with a new one, or if you have a rusted bolt - it may not tighten very well and needs replacement. Here’s how you can do it -
- First, tighten the bolts, secure the tank to the bowl, and check if the leak stops.
- If the leaking persists, turn off the water supply and flush to empty the toilet tank.
- If there’s a gasket issue - remove the toilet tank, loosen the bolts, and take out the old gasket for replacement.
- Clean the tank and bowl surfaces before installing a new tank-to-bowl gasket.
- Reattach the tank, tighten bolts, reconnect the water supply, and flush to check for leaks.
You might think about hiring a professional because cutting the bolts by hand calls for a specific level of skill.
Takeaway
Although a toilet tank leak can be a frustrating and uncomfortable issue, it can be effectively fixed with the right maintenance and troubleshooting. Maintaining a dry, effective, and efficient bathroom can be achieved by understanding the most common causes of toilet leaks and adopting preventative measures to address them.
If you want professional help or run into ongoing problems, speak with plumbing professionals. Also, ensure you check the pricing because most emergency plumbers charge higher for severe backflows or clogged drains and pipes.
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Toilet leaking from the base is a plumbing emergency. This issue can be caused due to several factors, and it is important to pinpoint the cause early. Else, these can flood your bathroom and cause unspeakable disaster. So, call the best plumbers near you to ensure the best plumbing services.
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