Here are 3 of the most common ways that you can fix a toilet leaking. Click on each one for an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to fix these problems yourself:
- Toilet Leaking from the Base Because of Loose Bolts
- Toilet Leaking from the Base Because of a Worn Wax Gasket
- Toilet Leaking from the Tank
If your bathroom needs a partial of full renovation, contact us.
How to Fix 3 Common Toilet Leaking Problems
Is your toilet leaking? Follow these easy steps
Three of the most common reasons why your toilet might be leaking include:
- The closet bolts connecting your toilet to the floor are loose
- The wax gasket around the base has worn out
- The spud gasket on your tank has worn out
Learn how to fix these problems for yourself using our guide below.
1. How to Fix a Toilet Leaking from the Base Because of Loose Bolts
Solution: Tighten the closet bolts
Tightening the closet bolts is a very simple fix. Take the following steps:
1. Remove the caps: Remove the plastic caps that are covering the bolts on the base of your toilet. You can use a flat screwdriver or a putty knife to pry under them and lift them off.
2. Tighten the bolts: Taking turns, slightly tighten each bolt with a wrench. Just tighten each one a little bit at a time. Be sure not to apply too much pressure as that could cause your toilet’s base to crack.
The following video will show you the steps you can take to tighten the bolts on the base of your toilet.
If tightening doesn't work, then you may need to replace the wax gasket
3. Check for leaks: Dry up any water that remains around the base and wait to see if any more water forms there. If not, your problem is fixed. If your toilet is still leaking, then you will need to change the wax gasket.
2. How to Fix a Toilet Leaking from the Base Because of a Worn Wax Gasket
Solution: Replace the wax gasket
1. Turn off the water & empty tank: Shut off the water supply to the toilet by turning it in a clockwise direction. This valve is usually found behind your toilet. Remove the lid on your tank and flush the toilet. Hold the handle down to let as much water drain out as possible. Sponge out any remaining water.
The following video will show you how to find and turn off your water supply.
Turn off your water supply to your toilet
2. Disconnect the water supply: Disconnect the water supply line by loosening the nut on the shutoff valve using a wrench.
3. Remove the toilet bowl: Pry off the plastic caps covering the closet bolts with a putty knife or a flat screwdriver. Use a wrench to remove the hex nuts holding the bolts.
Gently rock to toilet back and forth to break the old seal. Carefully lift the toilet bowl up and set it to one side on some old towels, blankets or cardboard to protect your flooring.
4. Remove the old wax gasket: Remove the remains of the old wax gasket from the bottom of the toilet by scraping it off with a putty knife. Scrape what’s left of the old gasket off of the closet flange in the floor as well.
5. Examine the flange: Take a close look at the flange. If it is broken, you can either replace the entire flange, install a full replacement flange or fill in the missing piece with a repair strap.
If your toilet flange is broken, it will need to be replaced
6. Replace the wax gasket: Set a new wax gasket down on the closet flange. Make sure that it is completely centred. Most wax gaskets that you purchase are just a solid ring of wax.
7. Replace the toilet: Hold onto the bowl close to the seat hinges, lift it up and carry it over to the new flange. Carefully set the toilet on top of the wax gasket. Use the two closet bolts as your guide. Replace the washers over the bolts and replace the nuts.
Before you tighten them, use all of your weight to press down on the rim of the toilet. This will compress it to the wax gasket. Look to make sure that the toilet is parallel to the back wall. Take turns tightening each bolt until they feel snug.
Press down on the bowl again and then tighten the bolts a bit more. Repeat this process until you can’t tighten anymore, but be careful not to tighten too much. You don’t want to crack the base.
8. Reconnect the water supply: Reconnect the loose end of your water supply line. Turn the valve counterclockwise and let the tank fill up again. Flush the toilet a few times to make sure that it doesn’t leak. If there is a leak, press down on your toilet again and tighten the bolts a bit more.
3. How to Fix a Toilet Leaking from the Tank
Solution: Replace the Spud Gasket
Toilet leaking? Learn how to replace your toilet tank spud gasket
If your toilet tank is leaking, then the rubber gaskets around the tank bolts and/or the spud washer may have deteriorated. This can happen over time, especially if you have hard water.
Here are the steps to follow to fix toilet leaking from the tank.
1. Turn off the water & empty tank: Shut off the water supply to the toilet by turning it in a clockwise direction. This valve is usually found behind your toilet. Remove the lid on your tank and flush the toilet. Hold the handle down to let as much water drain out as possible. Sponge out any remaining water.
2. Remove the tank bolts: Using an adjustable wrench, hold onto the nut located on the bottom of the toilet tank. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw on the inside of the tank. It could be helpful to ask someone else to hold the nut while you unscrew it. Repeat this process for the second screw.
3. Remove the tank: Lift up the tank and lay it on its side. You can either set it on the toilet base or on some old towels or a blanket on the floor.
4. Remove the old spud washer: The spud washer is the large washer that is located around the large hole in the bottom of the tank. If the washer is hard to remove, use an adjustable wrench to loosen it. Use a wire brush to clean off any remains of the old gasket that may be stuck to the inside or outside of the tank.
5. Install the new spud washer: Place a new spud washer over the spud nut and tighten it. Also replace the old gaskets for each bolt with new ones.
6. Replace the tank: Place the tank back on the toilet bowl and insert each bolt through the holes. Replace the nuts on the underside of the tank and tighten them alternately by hand until the feel snug.
Tighten the nuts with a screwdriver and wrench until the gaskets are properly seated. Make sure you don’t tighten them too much or you will crack your tank.
Time for a Bathroom Renovation? Contact Graham's & Son
If you find that your toilet, vanity, shower, etc are getting old and causing problems it might be time for a bathroom renovation. If you are looking for a bathroom renovation contractor that you can trust to do the job right and at a price you can afford, contact us.
With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Graham’s & Son Interiors offers full bathroom and kitchen renovations as well as services to enhance your home like flooring, window treatments, and upholstery.
If you live in the Tri-City region of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo or any of the surrounding areas like Guelph, choose Graham’s. With Graham’s, you will receive quality workmanship and installation, friendly service and expertise.
What Our Customers Are Saying…
“We had an extensive home renovation completed by Graham’s & Son Interiors. The finished product is an amazing transformation which came alive with the help of the design team and especially the very hard work done professionally by their contractor.”
– Jacquelyn W.