Why is my toilet flush leaking?

You typically never want to think about the contents inside your toilet. Unfortunately, when you go to flush a toilet and water leaks, you will have a pressing issue on your hand. Leaks that occur when a toilet flushes can happen for a number of reasons. Professional plumbing services can help determine the root cause and make the repairs necessary to help your toilet. In some cases, you could have multiple problems that contribute to the leak issues.

Loose Tank Bolts

A traditional toilet features two main bolts that help keep the toilet secure and in place. After years of use, these tank bolts could become loose and create issues with your tank. If the toilet becomes too loose, then you may notice water leaking out of the base each time you flush it. The water that leaks could be a tiny puddle or a significant amount that spreads across the base. Unfortunately, this water comes directly from the toilet bowl and is often contaminated, creating possible health issues with each leak.

A toilet will typically have plastic covers over the bolts that protect them. If you have an older toilet without the plastic covers, then you may run into issues where the bolts become rusty or corroded. Not only will the bolts loosen, but they will not tighten, either. A professional plumber can remove rusted and corroded bolts and replace them with new ones. The new bolts will offer a more secure connection for your toilet and help prevent leaks.

If the bolts are not corroded, then a simple tightening can secure the toilet back to the ground and prevent water from leaking with each flush. A plumber may replace nuts to make them more secure or add a second nut that adds more strength and security.

Toilet Seal Leaks

Along with loose bolts, the bottom of a toilet will often include a seal that helps prevent water leaking and guides toilet bowl contents down an open drain. If your toilet has a leak, then you could have an issue with the seal.

If you had loose bolts, then the toilet’s seal could have become unseated. The seal may not sit directly in the drain like it should. On older toilets, the wax ring seal could have worn down, cracked, or fully broken apart in specific areas.

A plumber can take your toilet off and replace the wax ring. A new seal installation will offer full protection and help prevent toilet leaks each time you flush. A seal will prevent any excess moisture in the air and help extend the life of your toilet bowl.

In some cases, you may notice your toilet flushes better with the new seal. The water will go down faster and you will not need to rely on the use of a plunger as often.

Water Supply Connection Leaks

The main water supply to your toilet fills the tank each time you flush and empty the contents. Unfortunately, the water supply could also be the source of your problem.

A leak could occur at the connection point to the toilet. The connection line should include a rubber seal and a bolt to tighten either outside the tank or in the tank. If the bolt is loose in any way, then water could leak out each time it runs through the line. If a rubber seal has worn down or does not have the proper alignment, then a leak could occur as well. In some cases, these leaks may occur for longer than just when you flush the toilet. The leaks could continuously drip out when taking water from the main line. If you notice a continuous leak, then you should turn the shutoff valve next to the toilet to the “off” position and refrain from using that toilet until a plumber completes repairs.

The shutoff valve could also be another area where water leaks. Exposure to condensation and moisture in the air could cause a toilet shutoff valve to corrode. Often stuck in the “ON” position, water could leak out of the valve. Any attempts to turn a corroded valve could lead to additional leaks. For example, the valve itself could snap off or break when you try to turn it. This could lead to bigger leaks.

If you cannot shut off the valve next to the toilet, then you should shut off the main water supply to the house to help prevent any flooding or water damage. Emergency plumbing services can help repair the issue and ensure a new shutoff valve operates correctly.

Once a plumber repairs the leak, they can replace the shutoff valve so you have one that operates smoothly and avoids those problems in the future. A newer shutoff valve will include erosion-preventative materials and easier ways to turn the water on and off.

Toilet Tank Leak Issues

When you flush a toilet, you may notice that water constantly runs in the tank. The quiet stream of water may be hard to notice at first, but it could grow bigger/louder over time. While the tank leak may not directly reach the floor, you could put a lot of wear on your toilet and plumbing system.

A constantly running toilet could increase your water bill or use up a lot of your well water if you live on a property with a well. If you have hard water, then you may notice more frequent hard water stains that impact the water.

The constant leak into the toilet tank is typically a result of the flush valve at the bottom of the toilet tank. Also known as the flapper, this piece rises and lowers each time you flush the toilet. If the flapper does not sit properly or has gone through some wear, then your toilet may constantly let water out of the tank. As water escapes the tank, it must constantly refill, creating an endless cycle.

A plumber can replace the parts inside the toilet tank so the water only escapes when flushed. Along with the flapper, a plumber will inspect other parts inside the tank to ensure they work properly and you won’t run into any problems in the future.

Water leaks are not something you should ignore. Rely on professional service to help you with all your toilet leak needs. Along with the contaminated water, you may deal with the formation of mildew and mold if you do not quickly fix any issues.

Our professional plumbers at Access Heating & Air Conditioning can help you with all of your plumbing needs. Along with leaky toilets, we offer a wide range of other plumbing services including faucet leak repairs, tankless water heater installations, and other emergency repairs. Our All Access Club gives you one free service appointment per year along with two free tune-ups, and 10% off all repair costs. We also provide a wide range of HVAC services like furnace repair, duct replacement, and thermostat installation.

Contact us at Access Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a service appointment today!