Why Does My Toilet Leak When I Flush?

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Common Causes Of A Leaking Toilet

If you notice your toilet leaking when you flush, don’t put off the repair. Even a small bathroom leak can cause serious damage to your floor, subfloor, and more. Avoid costly water damage restoration and check for these common causes of a leaking toilet.

1. Loose Bolts
Try tightening the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor. Using a wrench, tighten each bolt a quarter-turn or less at a time, alternating between bolts. Be careful not to overtighten, as this can crack the bowl.

2. Cracked Tank
Hairline cracks can be difficult to see, especially if they’re located in an out-of-the-way place. Inspect your tank thoroughly for cracks.

3. Worn Flapper
The flapper is the rubber part inside the tank that lifts when you flush. To check your flapper, add a few drops of food coloring to the water in the tank and wait for ten minutes without flushing. If the color begins to appear in the bowl, the flapper isn’t working correctly and could be the cause of your leaking toilet. The flapper is inexpensive and easy to replace.

4. Faulty Supply Line
The supply line can leak at the connections, or along the length of the tube. Certain types of supply tubes are prone to developing pinhole leaks and tiny cracks as they age. Run your hands along the entire supply line. Any dampness is a sign of a leak in the supply pipe.

5. Dry Wax Ring
Over time, the wax ring that seals your toilet to the floor can dry out or crumble. If water is leaking from the base of your toilet, a faulty wax seal is likely to blame. Replacing this ring is not difficult, but you will need to remove the toilet to do so.
If you still can’t determine what’s causing your leaking toilet, contact a Fernridge, MO, plumber to investigate the issue. Always repair a bathroom leak as soon as possible, before it becomes a bigger problem.