3 Reasons Why Your Toilet Leaks When You Flush

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

When You Flush Your Toilet, There Are Three Reasons Why It Leaks.

Does your home in Friendly Hills, CA, have a leaking toilet? Nothing is more frustrating (or more off-putting, for that matter) than an undiagnosed toilet leak. Luckily, there are usually a few easy-to-fix problems causing the issue.

1. Loose Bolts

This issue is the easiest one to fix, mainly because it doesn't require removing your toilet. If water is leaking from the base, simply tighten the bolts to see if that fixes the issue. Do remember that a bathroom leak can also be caused by bolts being too tight.

2. Wax Gasket

If water is gathering at the base of your toilet, it's a sign that the wax gasket inside is dry and corroded or was improperly installed. First, if there's not a lot of water, soak it up and dry the base with a towel. Wait for a new puddle; if the water is seeping out from under the toilet, this is a sure sign that the problem is definitely the wax gasket. If water is coming from elsewhere, you have a different issue. To fix this issue, shut off the water, remove the toilet, and use a putty knife to scrape off the old gasket. If you're ever dealing with a lot of water, consider calling in a water cleanup and restoration specialist.

3. Broken Flange

If the above solutions don't fix your leaking toilet, you still need to remove and inspect the underside of the toilet. To do so, turn off the water, remove the tank lid, and flush the toilet to drain the water. Next, disconnect the water supply tube, and remove the bolts holding the toilet to the floor. While grabbing the rim of the bowl, gently rock the toilet back and forth; when it's loose, gently lay it down onto a towel or old sheet. Now inspect the flange to see if it is damaged. If so, it needs to be replaced.
With the reassurance of a professional at your side and some knowledge to get you started, a leaking toilet is a worry of the past.