subject: Check Your Toilet Against Leaks And Repair It [print this page] A toilet leakage can be caused because of many different reasons. However, make sure that the problem is caused because of leakage only and not because of sweating in the toilet. After confirming that the problem is because of leakage, you can start the repairing process.
Leakage in toilets can be caused because of three main reasons. The first reason could be failure of toilet wax ring. The toilet wax ring may sit under the toilet bowl and results in an air tight seal along with the toilet trap.
In case the wax ring of your toilet has failed or the toilet bowl screws that are responsible for holding the bowl to the floor are loose then water can seep around the edges of the toilet bowl. This type of leakage can be determined by using a paper towel and slipping it under and around the toilet bowl base.
Check the paper towel after some time, if you find moisture on the paper towel then that means that the toilet bolts are loose and/or the toilet wax ring has failed. To get rid of this problem, tight the bolts and check if the problem is solved. In case it is not solved then try replacing the toilet wax ring.
The second area where toilet could start leaking is the point where the toilet tank is connected to the toilet bowl. A rubber toilet tank gasket is mainly responsible for connecting both of them and it might break down after a while. Hence, check the base of the toilet tank and back edge of the toilet bowl for any kind of leaks.
If so, you can try gently tightening the bolts that connect the tank and bowl together. But be careful to not over-tighten as it may crack either the toilet tank or bowl. If tightening up the bolts does not help, you will need to turn off the water supply to the toilet, drain the tank and replace the toilet tank gasket between the tank and the bowl.
Many times the leakage in toilets is because of leak in the water supply line, either under the toilet tank base or near the valve area. To get rid of this problem, tight all the nuts with the help of adjustable pliers. However, if the leakage still does not stop then you may need to go for new supply lines.
A hairline crack in the toilet tank or bowl could also result into leakage of toilet. Hence, check both of them against any cracks. If you find any crack then immediately replace the tank or bowl that has got a crack.
