A toilet is one of the most important items in any Nanaimo home. That makes it all the more frustrating when your toilet malfunctions in some way. If you’ve ever had a leaky toilet or your toilet is currently leaking, there are a few possible causes, some of which you may be able to repair yourself. To determine whether your leaky toilet warrants a call to Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas for assistance, keep reading to see if your leak matches any of these descriptions.

Leak Around the Base

One location where you may notice a leak is around the base of your toilet, where it meets the floor. This is most often caused by a problem with the wax seal that creates a watertight connection between the drain in your toilet and the drain in your floor. Over time, this wax seal can break down, allowing small amounts of water to seep out and onto the floor. If there is a problem with the wax seal, you might also notice that your toilet rocks from side to side when you sit on it. It’s important to fix this leak quickly since a break in your wax seal could allow sewer gas into your home.

Internal Leak

An internal leak is most often characterized by “ghost flushing.” In other words, your toilet will occasionally flush by itself. This often occurs when the flapper in your toilet’s tank malfunctions. The flapper is a rubber gasket that prevents water from the tank from running into the bowl. If it becomes cracked or warped, small amounts of water will run out of the tank until the water level drops, and the fill valve engages to add extra water. The good news is that replacing the flapper is a straightforward home repair. Problems with the fill valve itself can also cause leaks and intermittent flushing, so it’s good to check this component as well.

Leak Around the Bottom of the Tank

If you have a two-piece toilet, there’s a chance that you could get a leak at the point where the tank meets the bowl. Most toilets have a rubber gasket underneath the tank that compresses when the tank is placed on the bowl. As with any gasket, this one can become brittle over time, making your toilet vulnerable to leaks. Replacing the gasket requires disassembling your toilet. Although you can definitely take on this task yourself, calling a professional from Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas will make it easier, especially considering the weight of the porcelain tank and the hard-to-reach bolts.

Leak at the Supply Line

Another possible culprit of a toilet leak could be your water supply line. Since this line is repeatedly exposed to rapidly changing water pressure, it can eventually wear out. One way a supply line can leak is if it develops a hole in its exterior wall. If your home has higher-than-normal water pressure, this is likely the problem. On the other hand, if you have hard water at your home, a corroded fitting where the supply line meets the tank is likely to blame. When you repair the supply line, make sure to turn off the water first to help avoid a major mess.

Leak From a Random Location

If you’ve looked at all the above possibilities and still can’t pinpoint the source of your leak, we recommend taking a close look at the entire toilet. Although porcelain is quite durable, there is always a chance it can crack. If you drop something heavy on your toilet, it could develop a hairline fracture that is undetectable until it starts to leak. This leak will tend to get worse over time as the cool water causes the crack to expand. In most cases, a crack in the porcelain will require replacing your toilet, a task that our crew would be happy to help complete.

Here to Fix Your Problematic Leaks

Regardless of the size or cause of your toilet leak, the experts at Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas are here to help. We can assist you with toilet repair and installation, drain clog removal, backflow protection, water heater installation or HVAC repair, installation and maintenance. For over 15 years, we’ve been proud to serve the Nanaimo community with exceptional plumbing repairs and top-notch customer service. Our commitment to our customers is one big reason why we consistently receive five-star reviews from them. If you need some assistance with your toilet, don’t hesitate to give us a call at Twin Peaks Plumbing, Heating & Gas today.

company icon
Categories: