Is there water on your floor near the base of your toilet? Do you notice water stains on the ceiling or smell sewer gas? If so, these may be telltale signs of plumbing problems from a leaky toilet. Other signs include a small pool of water, with water leaking where the toilet of the toilet meets the floor, spongy flooring beneath the toilet, and finished flooring that is coming up.
If you see water or water damage to the flooring below the toilet, you may have a toilet problem where you have a bad wax seal or gasket between the toilet flange (the place where the waste exits) and the drain line. Don’t wait any longer–toilet leaks can quickly escalate if ignored!
A small leak from a hairline crack or hole can get trapped beneath the toilet, eventually rotting out the floor surfaces, and sometimes the framing underneath. If you wait too long, the repair costs can increase, especially if you have to replace the finished flooring, underlayments, subfloors, or framing, moving it from a DIY home improvement project for homeowners to needing a professional plumber and contractor to help. Tackling a leaking toilet bowl can be daunting, and toilet leaks can be frustrating for homeowners who do not have experience with this type of home improvement.
Pulling Up the Toilet
In order to get to the root of the leak, the toilet will have to be pulled up and examined for evidence. You might only need to replace the wax ring and remount the toilet if you’re lucky. If so, the toilet should be back in running order in under an hour.
It is not uncommon for a new bathroom floor to be laid on top of the old flooring, leaving the toilet flange too low to seal with a wax ring. When the new flooring is an inch or more above the existing flange, doubling the wax ring is not workable since excess wax can squeeze into the pipe and restrict the flow.
Suppose your toilet flange is 1/4 inch below the finished floor. In that case, you’re probably better off getting adjustable plastic toilet flange extenders to help restore a proper fit and maintain a watertight seal.
Signs of a Toilet Leak
Recognizing the early signs of a toilet leak can save you time and money on major repairs.
- Pooling water at the toilet base
- Musty or sewer odors near the toilet
- Water stains or damage on the ceiling below a bathroom
- Loose or rocking toilet
- Toilet fill valve making constant noise
- High water bills due to hidden leaks
- Warped or discolored flooring around the toilet
Once you’ve noticed these signs, it’s crucial to determine the root cause of the leak to prevent further damage.
What Causes Toilet Leaks?
Understanding the most common causes of toilet leaks can help you take preventative action or guide you through a repair. Toilets have several components that can wear out, shift, or break over time, leading to various types of leaks both around the base and inside the tank. Identifying what causes a toilet to leak from the bottom or elsewhere can save you from costly water damage and high utility bills.
Damaged Flange or Wax Ring
If the cause of your toilet leak is a flange at the bottom of the toilet, it can leak and rot out the flooring. If the flange loosens, the leak can worsen. You’ll need to locate the source of the leak, repair it, and ensure the flange is properly supported. A new wax ring and a flange support bracket can help reestablish a watertight seal.
Broken Tank to Bowl Gasket
The tank-to-bowl gasket is a key component between the water tank and the toilet bowl. Over time, this rubber seal can wear out or become misaligned, leading to a slow leak. Replacing it is usually straightforward and can restore a leak-free connection.
Worn out Flapper Valve
A worn flapper valve can cause your toilet to leak internally, meaning water continually escapes from the tank to the bowl. This increases your water bill and adds unnecessary strain to your plumbing system.
Faulty Fill Valve
A faulty toilet fill valve can result in overfilling or inconsistent water levels in the tank. If it doesn’t shut off properly, water can spill into the overflow tube, contributing to leakage or high water usage.
Loose Tank Bolts
Loose bolts connecting the toilet tank to the bowl can allow water to leak from the joint. You should tighten these carefully to avoid cracking the porcelain.
A Cracked Toilet
A cracked toilet—whether in the tank or bowl—can lead to slow leaks that are hard to detect. Examine the entire fixture closely if you notice unexplained water around the toilet.
Faulty Internal Components
Other parts inside the toilet—like the water supply lines, flush valve, toilet fill valve, shut-off valve, toilet flapper, ballcock, overflow tube, and more—can all fail over time. You may notice that your water tank is not filling properly or that the water in the bowl fluctuates. These failures can contribute to ongoing leaks and wasted water.
Now that we’ve covered the most common causes of toilet leaks, let’s look at the steps you can take to fix them.
How to Fix a Toilet Leak
Fixing a toilet leak depends on the source of the problem, but some repairs are more straightforward than others. In many cases, simple fixes like replacing a flapper or tightening bolts can solve the issue. At the same time, other situations—such as a cracked toilet or damaged subfloor—may require more extensive work. Knowing how to approach each type of leak can help you decide whether it’s a DIY task or one best left to a professional plumber.
- If the leak stems from the toilet base, remove the toilet, inspect the flange, and replace the wax ring.
- Inspect and replace the tank-to-bowl gasket for tank leaks or tighten the tank
- Replace a worn flapper or faulty fill valve to stop internal leaks and running
- Use adjustable flange extenders when dealing with height mismatches between the toilet and the floor.
- In the case of a cracked toilet, replacement may be the only safe and effective
If you’re unsure about handling any of these repairs, it’s best to consult a professional.
Looking For a Plumber in Kansas City?
Fixing a leaky toilet can be complicated if you’ve never done it before. To ensure the job is done correctly, we encourage you to schedule a service call with A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc.. Not only do we handle leaking toilets and toilet repair, but plumbing jobs of all sizes, from water heaters, faucets, septic tank pumping, appliance and washer drains, wastewater clogs, and more!
We offer fast, friendly service and can often provide same-day support.
Call us today at (913) 631-5201 or use our online contact form to schedule service.
