3 Top Reasons for a Leaky Toilet

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

3 Top Reasons for a Leaky Toilet

Every time you flush, you feel irritated by the leaking toilet at your home in Olathe, KS. A bathroom leak like this, however, can amount to more than a simple annoyance. Water easily finds its way through walls and floors wreaking havoc along the way. In order to prevent secondary water damage, don’t ignore the problem. Here are three top reasons why your lavatory is soaked and what to do next:

1. Loose Connection

Best case scenario, one of the connections to the toilet is loose. Before taking more extreme action carefully tighten the water supply hose and all bolts. Flush the toilet to check if the leak is gone.

2. Wax Ring

If water pools at the base of the leaking toilet or a foul smell emerges when you flush, a failing wax ring is likely at fault. The main purpose of the wax gasket is to form an airtight seal between the base of the toilet and the flange beneath. This prevents water, waste and sewer gasses from seeping through. The solution is to thoroughly scrape off the old wax and replace the seal.

3. Tank Flange

The flange is screwed tightly to the floor underneath the wax ring and connects the drainpipe to the toilet. Over time, it may crack or chip causing the wax seal to break. Depending on the type of flange you have, the age of the equipment and how tightly it is attached to the floor, you may need professional help to replace it. 

Hopefully, you solve the mystery of the leaking toilet at your home in Olathe, KS, before further water damage occurs. Signs of secondary damage include soft spots on the walls or floor, evidence of mold growth or water dripping through to the ceiling below. In this case, a water restoration specialist helps mitigate the damage that your annoying bathroom leak has caused.