A leaking toilet is a major plumbing issue for a bathroom. Although the leak might look small, the amount of damage it can do to the flooring is immense—possibly even leading to partial floor collapse. These leaks also encourage the growth of mold and mildew, and of course, it’s a waste of water.
There are a number of reasons for a toilet to start leaking. It’s best to leave the actual diagnosis of the problem to a professional plumber. You’ll need a licensed plumber to fix the leak eventually, so as soon as you notice the leak, call for one.
Some of the Reasons for a Leaking Toilet
- Problems between the tank-to-bowl gaskets: This is one of the more common causes for a leaking toilet. If the gasket between the tank and the toilet bowl wears down or becomes loose, water from the tank will start to leak out. A professional plumber can detach the tank from the bowl and replace the gasket.
- Deteriorated wax seal on the base: Around the base of the toilet is a wax seal to prevent water from escaping. If you notice that the leaking seems to come from around the toilet’s base, the wax seal may have started to crumble. Fixing this will require the plumber to loosen the toilet from the floor and replace the wax ring.
- Loose feed line: The feed line brings freshwater into the toilet. If its connections are loose, it will lead to water leaks. Turn off the feed line to see if that stops the leaking. Then call for plumbing repairs.
- Cracks in the porcelain bowl: Damage to the bowl itself can cause water to escape. In this case, it’s best to have the bowl replaced entirely. Sometimes, you’ll need to have a new toilet installed.
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