Your Toilet Is Leaking – Now What?

When you flush your toilet and notice your toilet is leaking, it is never a pleasant surprise. Instead, you immediately call a plumber for assistance. Once you start talking to a plumber, it will be important to tell them whether your toilet tank or base is leaking, since these can indicate different problems and require varying types of repairs. Once your plumber arrives at your home, here’s what you can expect.

What Causes Toilet Leaks?

When discovering a toilet is leaking around the base or having the great misfortune of it overflowing or leaking through the ceiling, you’ll wonder what caused the leaks. If you notice the toilet leaks between the tank and bowl upon being flushed, this indicates either the tank bolts are loose or the tank to bowl gasket, known as a spud washer, is worn out. However, if you tell your plumber your toilet is leaking around the base, they will strongly suspect the toilet’s wax ring is no longer properly sealed.

Toilet Bowl Cracks

In some situations, the cause of a toilet leak may be a hairline crack in the toilet bowl itself. Sometimes, the crack may extend down to the bottom of the toilet, in which case the bowl won’t be able to retain any water. In addition, you’ll notice foul odors filling your bathroom, which is something you never want to happen.

How Much Water Can a Leaking Toilet Waste Per Day?

Once you confirm your toilet is leaking at the base, ignoring the problem for any length of time will definitely remove dollars from your pocket each and every day. On average, a typical leaking toilet will waste 30 gallons of water per day, which adds up to nearly 2,000 gallons per month. As a result, some people see their monthly water bills increase by nearly $200. Rather than let this happen, contact a plumber as soon as you notice a leak.

Should a Toilet Tank Wobble?

If you are experiencing a toilet tank that wobbles while at the same time noticing my toilet tank is leaking, it is possible the two problems could be linked. In many cases, a wobbly tank indicates a bolt that attaches the tank to the bowl is loose, which is a simple fix. However, it can also indicate a loose gasket, which is a slightly more complex repair that you may want a plumber to handle. Finally, if neither of these situations are the problem, chances are you have a cracked tank that is causing the leak. While some cracks can be repaired, you should also be prepared to buy a new tank.

If you have called your plumber about a leaking toilet, having an idea as to what caused the problem will help you when it comes time to discuss repairs and costs. If you need assistance with these or other plumbing problems, contact Boss Plumbing in Los Angeles, who has been trusted in the area for 30 years and counting.