Are You Sure the Toilet Isn't Leaking?

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

February 7^th, 2020

Are You Sure the Toilet Isn’t Leaking?

Do you see stains around the base of your toilet? Notice standing water or damaged tile? How about stains on the ceiling below where your toilet is located (multi-level home)? These can all be indications of a leaking toilet seal. A toilet seal is what connects the toilet to the main drain waste pipe flange in the floor. Typically, you find that if your toilet is rocking, that means that the seal is faulty and needs replaced. However, even if it is not rocking you still may find the toilet seal to have been installed incorrectly, possibly not aligned correctly, or not installed at all.

How to Replace Leaking Toilet Seal?

1. TURN off the water at the shutoff valve. (typically located behind the toilet or possibly in the basement or crawlspace)
2. REMOVE the toilet lid, hold the handle down, and drain all the water out of the toilet. You will also need to remove the water from the supply tank as well (using a sponge or cup may be helpful to get all the water out).
3. DISCONNECT the water-supply tube. This is done by removing the compression nuts off the shutoff value.
4. REMOVE the toilet by gently rocking back and forth to break off the pre-existing seal. (Use a putty knife to remove the old seal)
5. CHECK the condition of the flange that holds the seal to ensure there are no cracks or broken pieces. (If so, this part will also need replaced)
6. CENTER the new seal within the closest flange
7. CONNECT the water-supply tube to the fill-valve shank that is located on the bottom of the toilet tank
8. PRESS down on the toilet to compress the seal and tighten the bolts (do not over tighten)
9. TRIM the tops of bolts, tighten bolts, and replace caps
10. CONNECT the supply tube to the shutoff valve, open the valve, flush the toilet
11. INSPECT for any leaks

A leaking toilet can seem like a minor issue, but if left unrepaired can turn into a large, costly issue. If the leak is caught in a timely manner, and repaired the homeowner is looking at low costs, and about an hours’ worth of work. However, if left alone to continue to leak, it can cause major damage to the sub-floor of the house or even the walls. Once the floor begins to rot, it continues to spread and before anyone is aware of it, it can destroy an entire bathroom floor, causing showers, cabinets, sinks, and such to have to be removed in order to fix the damaged floor. This then turns into hours of restoration work, and costly materials.

For more information relating to the inspection of, removal or installation of a toilet gasket, please click on the link provided below. If you find that you do in fact have water damage as a result of a leaky/faulty gasket, please contact SERVPRO of LBL North at (270) 753-1160.

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Easy Fix for a Leaky Toilet