6 Ways to Detect a Toilet Leak – Sobieski Services | DE, NJ, PA, MD

6 Ways to Detect a Toilet Leak

It can be quite a shock when you receive your water bill and the water usages has doubled or tripled. Leaking toilets have been found to be the number one cause of water waste in a home.

What do you need to do to detect a toilet leak?

  • The first step will be to add food colorant into the toilet tank. If the water in the bowl changes color, you have a leak.
  • Draw a line at the water level in the tank. If the water level has dropped below the line after 30 minutes, the water leak is most probably due to a faulty flapper. The flapper is the rubber valve that lifts-up when you pull the toilet handle to flush the toilet.
  • Check that the water level in the toilet tank is set correctly. If the level of the water in the tank exceeds the overflow level, excess water will leak into the overflow tube. This problem can be rectified by bending the float arm downwards to ensure that the water shuts down below the overflow line.
  • When you need to jiggle the toilet handle to stop the water from running, the handle, flush level bar or chain can be sticking. Check and adjust the nut that secures the handle to the toilet tank.
  • Water pooling around the base of the toilet indicates a leak. You will need to check the toilet tank and bowl for cracks. The leak may be the result of worn washers, bolts or the tank-bowl gasket.
  • Lastly you need to check all the pipes for cracks or rust damage. Damaged pipes and toilet assembly metallic areas need to be replaced by a professional. To detect a toilet leak is not very difficult and it is worth your while to check all of the toilets in your household for possible leaks every couple of months. Repaired leaks will save you money on your monthly water bills.

For expert advice about toilet leaks and other plumbing problems, contact Sobieski Services, Inc. We have been serving Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey since 1987.

Photo Credit: TerryJohnston via Compfight cc

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