Why Is My Toilet Leaking?

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

Dealing with water damage from a toilet leak? Give SERVPRO a call today!

Possible Reasons For Your Toilet Leak

A large majority of homeowners will experience a toilet leak from time to time in their Avondale, Goodyear or Southwest Phoenix home. Toilet leaks are obviously zero fun to deal with, especially when you have no idea what to do when it comes to plumbing issues. You may notice water collecting around the toilet, water on the ceiling (if your bathroom is on the second floor), and an occasional sewer odor. This can be a stressful time, especially when you have no idea how the leak started. Your first thoughts could be, “Will I have to replace my toilet? How much will repairs cost?” It’s helpful to have at least some idea why the leak is occurring so that the necessary repairs can be made to stop the leak from happening. Here’s a list of some possible reasons as to why your toilet could be leaking.

1. The flapper can become damaged or stuck in the down position or “flushed” position. When this happens, the tank will continue to fill and eventually water will overflow the tank.
2. A crack in the toilet tank can occur which can cause a leakage. The crack on the tank won’t affect the toilet fill valve which will allow the tank to fill as it normally does after it has flushed which can cause a recurring leak.
3. Water can seep through a broken or damaged supply line which can cause a toilet to leak. The rubber lining located in the supply line can also wear out as well.
4. If you notice water collecting around the base of the toilet, you could have a damaged wax ring. The wax ring provides a watertight seal which prevents your toilet from leaking at the base. When the seal is damaged, a leak occurs. Another sign of a damaged wax ring is an unpleasant odor which allow for the sewer gasses to escape.
5. A closet flange is a pipe fitting that allows a toilet to be mounted to the floor. It connects the toilet drain to the drain pipe. To repair this, you need to remove the toilet and the wax ring and replace with a new flange and wax ring.

These are just some possible reasons as to why your toilet could be leaking. If you’ve tried doing repairs yourself and you still find that your toilet is leaking, it’s best to contact a professional to make the necessary repairs before it causes extensive water damage. If the necessary repairs have been made and you’re now dealing with water damage, please give SERVPRO of Avondale/Goodyear/Southwest Phoenix a call at (623) 537-9999.