Water Leak Repair: Fixing a Leaky Toilet
Sometimes, you may not even notice that your toilet is leaking until you step in a puddle. It is important to learn the parts of your toilet to get an idea of where the leak might be coming from and how to fix it.
The leak may be coming from the base of your toilet or a component in the toilet tank itself. Toilets look simple but there are some confusing components that require in-depth knowledge. Trust an experienced plumber to handle the job and get your toilet back to running like new.
Don’t wait to fix a leaky toilet. Contact Strittmatter Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing, the best in Flower Mound, TX for plumbing and more. Contact us today bybooking online or giving us a call at 940-246-2075.
Continue reading to learn about the different parts of a toilet, how to find a leak and how to fix a leaky toilet.
Understand the Parts of a Toilet
Knowing the parts of your toilet will make leak repair easier because you’ll know where to start looking. Here are some of the integral parts of a toilet:
- Ball Cock: the ball cock is a switch valve that turns on/off with the help of the regulatory float ball. It maintains the filling of the tank and bowl after each flush. A ball cock needs to be replaced if faulty or if the toilet is still running after a flush.
- Float Cup: for toilet models that do require a ball cock, a float cup is the next best thing. The float cup mechanism is regulated by a chain that lifts and fills the tank and bowl. It’s easy to repair and fairly economical.
- Float Ball: in the ball cock mechanism, the float ball is responsible for shutting the ball cock off when the water in the filling tank reaches an adequate level.
- Chain: the chain opens the flapper at the very beginning of each flush. If the toilet is running constantly, make sure that the chain is not too long or short. A faulty chain may interfere with the function of the flapper.
- Toilet Flapper: the toilet flapper allows water to fill the bowl from the tank. It is lifted by the chain when water rushes in. If the toilet is continuously running, check for mineral buildup and the seal.
- Overflow Tube: the overflow tube is responsible for preventing the toilet tank from overflowing. The water from the tank is drained into the overflow tube when the water levels are too high.
- Refill Tube: the refill tube replaces the water in the toilet bowl after each flush. If the toilet is running in intervals, it is best to check that the refill tube is above the water level.
Knowing if Your Toilet Is Leaking
Sometimes a leaking toilet is not obvious, especially if you are not always home. However, there are some easy ways to tell if your toilet is leaking:
- Constant drips and drops.
- Puddle on the floor of the bathroom.
- Toilet is running constantly or in intervals.
- Rippling water at the edges of the toilet bowl.
- Strange noises in the toilet pipes.
If you have not noticed any of these issues with your toilet then it is likely there is nothing wrong with it. If you cannot seem to find the source of the problem in your toilet, a high water bill can be a sign that something is wrong. Call a plumber to complete any necessary repairs.
How to Check for Leaks
All you need is food coloring and time. Put a couple of drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and do not flush for about half an hour. After half an hour, check the toilet bowl for any food coloring.
If food coloring seeped into the toilet bowl then there is a leak in the tank. Cleaning the flapper is a quick and easy repair that could solve this problem without getting professional plumbers involved. The flapper has a tendency to collect mineral buildup and may need a deep clean every now and then. Because this is not always the issue, it may be better to call a toilet plumbing technician to identify the real problem.
Cause of Toilet Leaks at the Base
This tends to happen due to the wax seal of the toilet breaking or wearing down overtime. There are a few more reasons why the base of your toilet may be leaking
- Components, such as the t-bolts, of the toilet may be loose.
- Damage to the toilet tank.
- Issues with the flapper, valves or pipes.
- Toilet bowl is damaged.
- Pipes are corroded from mineral buildup or rust.
The best possible solution for a toilet base leak is to call your local plumber for leak repair .
DIY Leaky Toilet Repair
Fixing a leaky toilet is not as easy as it seems. However, it is not entirely infeasible for those ready for the challenge. As long as you have the right tools and a handy instruction manual then you may be able to get the job done. Replacing the toilet flapper and wax ring are simple and cost-effective solutions that just about any home improvement junkie can complete.
Although DIY leak solutions are great in some cases, serious ones require the help of a professional plumber. For more difficult replacements and repairs, specialized equipment are necessary. Toilet leaks can quickly escalate, turning a frustrating situation into a desperate one. If you think that you have a toilet leak that only an expert plumber can handle, call your local Flower Mound, TX plumbing company for bathroom plumbing services .
Bathroom Plumbing System Services in Flower Mound, TX
There are many different components that work together to make a toilet function. These are best understood and fixed by professionals. Trust Strittmatter Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing to fix any toilet leak. Our team of highly trained professionals have the right tools to take on any plumbing job.
Contact Strittmatter Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing to help fix all your plumbing problems. Give us a call at 940-246-2075 or find us online .
