Finding the Source of a Toilet Leak

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

A toilet seal wax failure in Harrisonville, MO.

Discovering a Toilet Leak

A toilet is a simple machine that homeowners in Harrisonville, MO, often take for granted. When you have a leaking toilet, however, you may become acutely aware of how disruptive this dysfunction may be to your daily life. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to discover where the leak originates and thus the next steps to fixing it.

Possible Causes

A bathroom leak is not something you want to ignore. It only takes a small amount of water to cause damage such as rot or mold under your floor tiles. If water appears at the base of your toilet after a flush, know that it can be caused by several problems:

• Wax seal failure
• Improper installation of seal
• Faulty supply line
• Cracked tank
• Condensation on bowl
  
  

To determine which of these issues is causing the leak, dry off the area with a towel. Flush the leaking toilet again, and pay attention to where the water comes from. If it leaks out the bottom, you know the problem is with the way the toilet is fastened or sealed. If it leaks from the hose running from the wall or from the tank, you know the problem stems from that particular area.

Possible Solutions

When water is leaking from somewhere other than the base of the toilet, call a plumber to repair the source of the leak and water restoration specialists to assess and repair the damage it may have caused. You may be able to stop water from leaking at the base by simple tightening the bolts that secure it to the floor. If that doesn't fix it, you may need to remove the toilet and replace the wax seal to stop the leak.

A leaking toilet can throw off your day. Once you locate the problem, however, the solution may be fairly simple.

If you have any questions about water damage or leaking, SERVPRO of Harrisonville / Belton / Raymore is here to help. Call (816) 884-2240 or contact us HERE.