Steps for Fixing Toilet Leaks

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

Residential sewage restoration in a Kansas City, home

A leaking toilet can be a frustrating problem to have. Fortunately, it's usually an easy problem to fix. A large amount of water will likely call for professional remediation. If you notice only a little water on the floor of your bathroom, however, you can probably remedy the issue by following these steps.

1. Identify the Source

Seeing water on the floor of your bathroom does not necessarily mean you need toilet repair, but the toilet is the likely culprit. Mop up the water with a towel and watch where the new puddle that forms comes from. That way you can identify if the toilet is leaking from the base or from somewhere else, such as a faulty supply line.

2. Remove the Toilet

If the water is seeping out of the base, you can sometimes tighten the bolts that secure it, and that fixes the problem. If it doesn't, however, you may need to remove the leaking toilet so that you can replace the gasket that seals it. Loosen the bolts and lightly rock the old toilet back and forth until it separates from the floor.

3. Remove the Gasket

Lifting the toilet off the floor leaves behind the wax gasket that provides the seal against leaks. You will probably need to scrape to get the gasket completely off. It is important that removal is thorough so that the new gasket will work.

4. Replace the Gasket and Toilet

After the toilet has been removed, you have the space to replace the gasket. Put it in place and then set the toilet back on top of it. Align it so that it will seal where it is supposed to seal and then replace the bolts to clamp the toilet firmly in place.

If you have a leaking toilet in your home in Kansas City,KS, it is generally pretty easy to fix the leak. Just follow the appropriate steps so that your toilet can function without problems.