Leaking toilets are never fun, but if you need to solve the problem quickly, consider these possible solutions to keep your leak from worsening. Of course, should you need help along the way or can’t seem to find the source of the leak, you can always reach out to your local plumbers at Eddington Plumbing, Inc. to identify the issue. Read more below to discover four quick fixes for stopping a leaky toilet.
Fix Leak in Fill Valve
If you’re experiencing problems with a leaky toilet, there are several ways to fix the problem quickly. First, you have to determine the source of the leak. One issue could be the fill valve, which regulates the water within the toilet tank. It is usually located inside the tank, but in some cases, the valve could be attached at the top. A fill valve is required to handle a specific amount of water flow and pressure, so there can be occurrences where the valve could be leaking or may not shut off after you flush. The causes include mineral deposits, a clog, a loose lock nut, or an old and damaged valve. Tighten the lock nut or unclog, clean, or replace the valve to fix the problem. If you’re unsure what approach to take, trust our experts at Eddington Plumbing to help.
Replace Flush Valve
The culprit is likely the flush valve when water leaks from your toilet tank into the bowl. You should be able to fix the problem by simply replacing the faulty flush valve inside the toilet tank. To test the issue and see if you have a toilet leak, deposit a few drops of bright food coloring into the tank and allow it to sit for a half-hour or so. After that, check to see if the water in the toilet bowl shows signs of that food coloring. If so, you’ve got a leak. When in doubt, trust our professionals to address the issue with our expert plumbing services. If you want to handle it yourself, follow these steps to fix the problem:
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet
- Flush the toilet
- Remove nuts to supply tube
- Lift the tank off the bowl
- Unscrew the nut & remove the valve
- Put new flush valve on
Tighten Leaky Gaskets
Sometimes you may notice a leak because water is forming beneath the toilet. In this case, you may be able to stop the leak quickly by tightening the closet bolts—these bolts ensure the toilet is secured to the floor. You can use a putty knife or even a screwdriver to remove the caps covering the bolts and then use a wrench to tighten each bolt. Go slowly and take care not to apply too much pressure because you could end up cracking the toilet’s base. Hopefully, this will address the leak problem and put an end to it. If not, you may have to remove the toilet and replace the wax gasket. When you’re in over your head or would rather have more experienced hands handle this job, please contact our professionals at Eddington Plumbing, Inc.
Replace Wax Ring
If your toilet is leaking around its base, it usually indicates a toilet seal worn out or a broken wax ring that needs to be replaced. When a toilet is not level, it can break down the wax seal over time, which could cause a leak in the base. A lot of the time, this can be easily fixed by tightening the bolts at the bottom of your toilet. If this quick fix solves the problem and the leaks stop, your job is done, and there’s no need to replace the wax ring. However, if the leak continues, the wax ring will have to be replaced, likely by a professional with experience in this task. Luckily, Eddington Plumbing, Inc. employs many expert plumbers who are qualified to handle jobs like this. Call us today at 217.529.1000!
