4 Things That Cause Leaking Toilets

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

It's important to repair a leaking toilet to avoid further damage.

A leaking toilet can cause a lot of damage if you don't correct the issue early on. Just one leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons each year, increasing your water bill and causing a lot of damage to your home. Before you end up investing in expensive water restoration and cleanup work, take steps to determine the cause of the problem:

4 Steps to Determine The Cause of a Leaking Toilet

1. Faulty Flapper and/or Valve

If your toilet runs continuously after you flush it, the most likely problem is a flapper that isn't lifting or closing properly. When you flush, a chain connected to the toilet handle lifts up the flapper and then releases the flapper to close, prompting the refill cycle. If the flapper doesn't close securely, the toilet may continue to run until you fix it.

2. Toilet Fill Valve Problems

There are several things that can cause problems with the toilet fill valve. For example, debris may get into the valve, valves could get broken, and cheap valves often wear out quickly. A damaged or malfunctioning valve could cause the toilet to run or stop the toilet from flushing. It's important to understand that even if you don't hear the water running, you could still have a bathroom leak.

3. Worn or Damaged Wax Seal

At the base of the toilet, there's a wax seal that keeps water inside the plumbing system. When the ring ages, you may notice a small pool of water around the leaking toilet. Although you need to remove the toilet to complete this repair, it's a pretty straightforward process, and many homeowners tackle this repair on their own.

4. Expert Only Problems

There are some issues that you should leave to the professionals. Some examples of these problems include a broken tank flange or an improperly installed toilet. You certainly don't want to leave a repair only partially completed or improperly completed, especially when new leaks won't be visible because they're inside the toilet.

Reach out to plumbers and other professionals in Washington, NC, for more information about the most common toilet issues and the repairs that you can complete on your own. You'll be glad to keep your plumbing system running smoothly.