When people have the problem of a leaking toilet, they can mean one of two things. Either the water continues to refill the bowl or the water has pooled around the outside of the toilet. These two problems are caused by different sources, so read below to learn how to fix a leaking toilet based on your specific symptoms.
Water keeps running
If your toilet continues to refill the bowl after you flush, you need to open the tank and inspect the parts of the toilet:
Does the overflow tube have holes?
Is the flapper stuck open? This allows the water to drain into the bowl. Simply push down on the flapper to stop it. You may need to readjust the chain to prevent it from happening in the future.
If the ball is not floating on the water level, pull it up. This should stop the water from flowing. If it doesn’t, check the shut-off valve across from it.
Water pools around base of toilet
If there is water on the ground around your toilet, it may be the result of a broken seal. To check if the water is coming from below the toilet and not a valve, clean up the existing water on the floor. Wait for more water to pool around the base; check that it’s coming from where the toilet meets the ground. If that is the source of the problem, you can fix it by adjusting the bolts. To do this, remove the covering over the bolt with a screwdriver. Then, use a wrench to tighten each bolt slightly. Work in a rotation and tighten each bolt little by little. You can crack the base if you tighten one bolt completely while leaving the rest loose.
If your toilet is still leaking, it’s time to shut off the toilet valve. The toilet shut off valve is located below the tank, just behind the bowl.
If none of these suggestions have worked, you may need to contact a professional plumber. If you use TalkLocal’s website, you’ll get immediate help for your plumbing problem. This free online service will contact plumbing services in your area who can help you.
