A leaking toilet can flood your bathroom and cause thousands of dollars of damage to your home quickly.
To avoid disaster, you’ve got to act fast!
Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, we’ve been helping Chicago-area homeowners recover from water damage since 1996.
In this blog, we’ve compiled our top tips to help you learn to tackle a leaking toilet.
Key Takeaways
- To fix a leaking toilet, identify the source of the leak and address it accordingly. If the leak is severe or you’re not confident you can fix it, contact ServiceMaster of Lake Shore at (312) 707-8597.
- If you’re going to do the repairs yourself, be sure to turn off the toilet’s water supply to prevent further leakage and potential water damage.
- Faulty wax rings, damaged flappers, corroded tank bolts and gaskets, malfunctioning fill valves, and cracked toilet bowls or tanks are the most common causes of toilet leaks.
Before You Get Started
Turn off the water supply
To turn off the toilet’s water supply, twist the shut-off valve (which is usually located behind the toilet near the floor) clockwise.
Protect yourself
Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from contact with sewage, gray water, and other hazardous substances.
Prep the area
To prevent severe water damage (hopefully), clean up any standing water around the toilet using towels or a mop.
Open the windows and place a standing fan to promote airflow. These simple steps help prevent mold growth and protect your flooring and other surfaces from further damage.
Common Causes of Toilet Leaks and How to Fix Them
1. Faulty Wax Ring
A faulty wax ring is a common cause of a leaking toilet.
This part seals the connection between the toilet base and the drain pipe, and if it fails, it can lead to a major leak and serious flooding.
Signs:
- Water pooling around the base of the toilet
- An unpleasant sewer gas smell
- Noticeable rocking of the toilet when you sit on it
How to Fix It:
Equipment Needed
- New wax ring
- adjustable wrench
- screwdriver
- putty knife
- rags
- bucket.
Steps
- Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to empty the tank.
- Use a putty knife to pry the toilet base away from the floor gently.
- Remove the old wax ring and clean the flange.
- Place the new wax ring on the flange and carefully reposition the toilet.
- Tighten the bolts while ensuring the toilet doesn’t rock.
- Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
Pro Tip: Double-check the toilet is level after replacing the wax ring to prevent future leaks.
2. Worn or Damaged Flapper
The flapper controls the water flow from the tank to the bowl and may wear out or fail over time, causing a leak to develop.
Signs
- Continuous water running
- Uneven flushes or weak flushing power
- Higher than usual water bills
How to Fix It
Equipment Needed
- Replacement flapper
- Scissors
Steps:
- Remove the toilet tank lid and find the flapper at the bottom of the tank.
- Detach the old flapper from its mounting pegs.
- Attach the new flapper and adjust the chain length for a snug fit.
- Test the flush to make sure the issue is resolved.
Pro Tip: Regularly check the flapper for any signs of deterioration and fix or replace it as needed.
3. Corroded or Loose Tank Bolts or Gaskets
Corrosion or looseness in tank bolts and gaskets can lead to water seeping out at the tank’s base and onto your bathroom floor.
Signs
- Water dripping from the tank’s bottom
- Rust or mineral stains near bolts
How to Fix It
Equipment Needed
- Adjustable wrench
- Replacement bolts
- Tank gasket, if needed
Steps:
- Drain the tank and remove corroded bolts one by one.
- Replace bolts and tighten them gently to prevent cracking.
- Inspect and replace the tank gasket if necessary.
Pro Tip: Apply plumber’s grease around gaskets and bolts for added protection against leaks.
4. Malfunctioning Fill Valve
The fill valve controls the water level in the tank, so if it malfunctions, it can cause leaks due to overfilling or failure to shut off completely.
Signs
- Water continuously flowing into the bowl
- Frequent refilling noise from the tank
How to Fix It
Equipment Needed
- An adjustable wrench
- A new fill valve
Steps:
- Turn off the water supply and flush to empty the tank.
- Unscrew the fill valve and replace it with the new one.
- Adjust the fill level as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pro Tip: Regularly clean the valve’s float and seal to minimize malfunctions.
5. Cracked Toilet Bowl or Tank
Structural cracks can occasionally occur in the bowl or tank.
This is especially common in newly installed toilets (which may have been dropped or damaged during installation) or in rooms undergoing construction or remodeling.
Signs
- Visible hairline cracks
- Puddles of water around the toilet
How to Fix It
Equipment Needed
- Plumbing grade epoxy or sealant
- Replacement parts if necessary
Steps:
- For minor cracks, apply a plumbing epoxy following the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- For extensive damage, consider replacing the toilet bowl or tank.
Pro Tip: Inspect toilets regularly for early signs of stress fractures, particularly those exposed to temperature extremes.
How Professionals Fix Toilet Leaks
Fixing a toilet leak on your own is possible, but it can be difficult.
If you’d rather not tackle the challenge, calling a professional like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore is an excellent option.
We’ll also check for mold growth, a common issue after water damage.
Finally, we offer content pack-out services to remove and store your belongings during repairs.
Wondering how we’ll tackle your water damage?
Here’s an example of services we offered for a client recently:
An Overview of the Job
We tackled a significant cleanup job for a customer whose home suffered Category 2, Class 2 water damage due to a leaking toilet supply line.
It was quite the undertaking, and we knew we had to act swiftly to ensure everything was adequately dried and sanitized.
Here’s what we did:
Water Damage Restoration Job Overview
1. Containment Setup
- Powder Room: We started by setting up plastic protection and containment barriers in the powder room (the scene of the leak) to prevent any further mess.
- Office: The office also needed careful attention; we set up containment barriers and manipulated the contents as necessary.
- Closet: We protected all closet contents with plastic to prevent them from being damaged during restoration.
2. Removal and Flood Cuts
- Powder Room: First, we removed all of the baseboards along the perimeter of this space. We also created a two-foot flood cut along the walls in the powder room and removed all the baseboards and performed a two-foot flood cut along the perimeter.
- Hallway: We removed all of the drywall and baseboards from two of the walls and created a two-foot flood cut, which allowed us to expose and clean behind the walls.
- Closet: In this room, we followed the same flood cut and removal process we used in the powder room and hallway.
- Office:To address damage in the office, we removed all of the room’s baseboards and cut a 3’x13’ section of carpet and padding away so that we could access and clean underneath it.
3. Vacuuming, Cleaning, and Sanitizing
- Powder Room: Vacuumed and thoroughly cleaned all visible stud pockets in the powder room and nearby linen closet.
- Hallway: We thoroughly cleaned and disinfected the stud pockets to create a safe, dry space.
- Closet: We performed the same vacuuming, cleaning, and sanitizing steps to restore cleanliness.
- Office: After clearing out necessary items, vacuumed and disinfected the stud pockets and cleaned the rest of the area.
- Basement: We safeguarded contents and floors with plastic coverings. We also vacuumed, cleaned, and sanitized the entire area and flooring.
Overall, this process involved extensive structural drying, surface cleaning, and thorough sanitization to mitigate water damage and prevent mold growth.
Our team was dedicated to returning the space to its original condition for our customer!
Don’t Live With Water Damage – ServiceMaster of Lake Shore can Help
Dealing with water damage from a toilet leak or any unexpected event can be stressful, and it’s essential to act fast to prevent more damage.
Fortunately, that’s where ServiceMaster of Lake Shore comes in.
Our experienced team offers thorough and efficient water damage restoration services to ensure your home is clean, safe, and back to its original, comfortable condition.
Don’t wait for the problem to get worse—call ServiceMaster of Lake Shore to learn more about our services today or to request a quote!
FAQs
How serious is a toilet leak?
A toilet leak might seem like a small problem, but if not fixed quickly, it can cause significant water damage.
This damage can weaken your home’s floors and walls and create a perfect environment for mold growth, which can harm your health.
Additionally, leaks can damage electrical systems and appliances, leading to higher repair costs and safety risks.
How much does it cost to fix a leaky toilet?
Fixing a leaky toilet can cost quite a bit, depending on the severity of the damage and the repairs needed.
Generally, homeowners can expect to pay around $150 to $300 for basic fixes, like replacing a flapper or wax ring.
However, if there is water damage, the costs of repairing floors, walls, or plumbing can add up quickly.
Can a leaking toilet increase my water bill?
Yes, a leaking toilet can dramatically increase your water bill, as can other problems, like leaky or burst pipes.
Even a tiny leak can waste hundreds of gallons of water daily, resulting in higher utility costs.
It’s crucial to fix toilet leaks quickly to save money on water and prevent damage.
Regular maintenance and prompt repairs can keep your water usage efficient and affordable.
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