How To Fix a Toilet Leak
Got a suspicious pool of water by your toilet? Hear the telltale hissing of an escaping spray of water? You may have a toilet leak. It’s not the most fun chore in the household, but fixing a leaky toilet may be one of the most important. Wasted water drives up the cost of utilities and can damage flooring. Fixing toilet leaks as soon as they happen is a smart move for maintaining your home’s value and protecting your wallet.
Luckily, they’re pretty easy to fix. Even if you’re not familiar with the engineering magic of the modern toilet, there’s no reason to panic. The most common leak types don’t require the service of a professional, although a modest investment usually under $20 may be necessary.
Leaks can come from many different sources. They arise from spent flappers, old faucet washers and gaskets, and poorly-fitted valves. No matter the problem, however, the process begins with a few simple steps. Most of the time, a handful of basic tools plus a DIY attitude will have your throne in good working order in no time.
First you will want to interrupt the supply of water to the toilet. The shutoff valve or “closet stop” is the knob underneath and behind the tank near the wall. Cut off the water supply line by rotating the shutoff valve clockwise to the right. This keeps water from entering the fixture while you operate on the leak.
Next, you’ll need to empty the toilet tank to make sure the water is completely blocked off. Just flush the toilet and let the water drain down through the bottom of the tank; it should not refill.
Ready to learn more? Check out our next video in this step-by-step series on how to fix a toilet leak.
