Steps to Prevent a Leaking Toilet

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Steps To Prevent a Leaking Toilet

It's just a small bathroom leak. You first think someone had a steamy shower or spilled a little something, so you just wipe the floor. Another day, you notice the wetness again coupled with a bad odor. You realize something is very wrong with your porcelain friend, and that is confirmed when you notice the stains on ceiling below the toilet. That slow, sneaky leak has led to some nasty water damage. Learn to prevent this from happening again with 4 easy steps.

1. Find the leak. Act immediately when you see a leaking toilet. Dry the toilet, floor and supply lines. Start with the water supply and look for drips along the line. A leak at the supply line is often fixed by gently tightening the nut.

2. Empty the toilet.Usually, the leak is coming from the tank or base. For these repairs, you need to turn off the watersupply and flush the toilet to empty the tank.
3. The tank is leaking.Remove the bolts that hold the tank to the base. Most tank-to-bowl repair kits will have all the parts you need to replace: bolts, rubber washers and a large rubber gasket. The most likely culprit for the tank leak is actually the rubber gasket that fits underneath the tank. Just pull it off and fit the new one snugly into place.
4. The toilet is leaking at the base.Most of the time, a leaking toilet is in this category, which means you probably have a bad wax seal. It's a common problem, especially if you've noticed the toilet rocking a bit. To replace the wax, lift the toilet and remove the old wax. Inspect the closet flange for cracks and make sure it is tightly secured to the floor. Make any needed flange repairs and replace the wax ring. Taller wax rings available now that may help if the flange is sitting at or below the floor line.
   
   Now you are capable to prevent future water damage from a leaking toilet. "Black water" damage definitely requires some special procedures for cleaning; fortunately, SERVPRO of Gainesville, GA professionals are available to restore the damaged area.