Anyone Can Fix a Leaky Toilet

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

A leaking toilet should be a top priority on your fix-it list

Toilets are one of the most important appliances in your home. Although not glamorous, they utterly transformed daily life in the American household. If you have a leaking toilet in Adobe Hills, AZ, what can you do to fix it?

Diagnose the Problem

You've probably already discovered water on your floor if you are concerned about a leaky, old toilet. So, where's the water coming from? Clean the water up, sit back and watch. You may have to flush the toilet to get it going. If you have already sustained water damage, be sure to research a remediation specialist, as well. Common sources of leaking are:

• wax gasket or loose bolts
• loose supply tube
• faulty shutoff valve
• cracked tank
  

Wax Gasket

If you confirmed the water is pooling underneath the leaking toilet, the most likely culprit is a degraded wax gasket. This is what provides a seal between the base of the toilet and the floor, so you will need to remove the toilet. Be sure to turn off the water and drain the toilet before doing so. Disconnect the supply tube and remove the bolts, then rock toilet back and forth to break the wax seal. Scrape off the old wax and check the flanges before installing the new wax ring.

Supply Tube

While your toilet repair is underway, you may also want to take a look at your supply tube. If you see a crack or have a copper tube, which can sometimes be chrome-plated, you may want to consider replacing it. Stainless-steel enmeshed polymer is the latest in tube technology, and will last you a lot longer. When replacing, be sure to apply a coating of pipe-join compound to ensure it is sealed tight. Now you can go ahead and put your toilet back into place.
A leaking toilet should be a top priority on your fix-it list. Even if you've never attempted plumbing repair before, it is very doable for the average homeowner.