How to Identify a Leaky Toilet Before It Becomes a Problem

Although toilets are among the regularly used fixtures in the home, they are lowmaintenance, where the problem lies. As we don’t pay much attention to the performance or maintenance of the toilets, potential leaks can very easily go unnoticed.

Your toilet can leak any time, and if left undetected, can put a big dent in your pocket. Put simply; a leaky toilet can cause a great of water damage before you know it.

Therefore, to help you avoid costly repairs and replacements in and around your home because of a leaky toilet, we have curated this how-to guide. As experts in home restoration after water damage, we are here to share with you the red flags or signs of a leaky toilet and how to spot and fix it before it becomes a big problem.

How to Identify a Leaky Toilet—Common Signs to Watch Out for

Here are some common signs to identify a leaky toilet:

Strange noises

When you flush the toilet, you hear the sound of rushing water and pressure building inside the pipes. That sound is entirely normal. However, what may be peculiar is hearing such sounds when the toilet is not in use.

This noise means that the water is still running and not triggered by the flush valve. As a result, there can be a leak. You must get it fixed right away because the problem can be severe as a large quantity of water is needed to create pressure that can cause vibration in the pipes to make a sound.

Damp floor even when you have not used the toilet for hours

Indeed, bathrooms are the wettest places in any home. However, it only takes a few minutes or an hour for the bathroom floor to dry up once used. But what if the floor remains damp even for a long time.

This is a sign that you have a problem with a leaky toilet. The sign of dampness can also be accompanied by other red flags like stains and rippling around the toilet base.

All these issues are indicative of a toilet leak and, therefore, should be addressed without any delay.

Sewage smell from the toilet

Sometimes sewage from the septic tank and pipes can also leak out of your toilet. This is alarming and must be fixed immediately. Similarly, there could be a problem with the vent pipes installed behind the toilet.

These leaky pipes can release natural gasses from your sewer into your house. Natural gasses like methane are detrimental to health. Hence, don’t avoid the smell; get your toilet checked and fixed by a professional to ensure the problem doesn’t put the safety of your family members at risk.

Rusted metal parts

Although ceramic is used to make toilets, some of the parts are made of metal too. These metal parts are primarily alloys of steel. The manufacturers anticipate that the metal parts of the toilet will become wet over time; therefore, they heavily rely on steel alloys that can tolerate the moist and damp conditions for the longest time.

However, excessive and prolonged exposure to trickling water can speed up the process of corrosion. And this is when you know you are dealing with a leaky toilet issue. When you spot rust forming on the surface of the metal parts, it is indicative that these parts have been exposed to moisture. So, without any delay, it is best to get the problem checked and resolved.

Skyrocketing water bills

This is a huge problem. If you can spot any of the aforementioned signs in combination with soaring water bills, you may have a leaky toilet. Moreover, it can lead to severe water damages resulting in costly repairs around the house.

Top Causes of a Leaky Toilet

Some of the top causes that may trigger a leaky toilet are as follows:

Crack on the bowl or tank

Water may trickle down the tank or toilet bowl because of cracks. It often starts as a hardly noticeable hairline crack, but it can develop into something serious over time, resulting in costly water damages to your bathroom’s functionality and aesthetics. That is definitely something no homeowner wants.

Worn out or loosened seal at the toilet’s base

This is yet another cause of toilet leaks. The bowl and tank in two-piece toilets are connected and bound together with the help of gaskets, bolts, and nuts.

If any of these parts wear out or become loose, leakage of water is inevitable. When leaks develop, you are likely to spot rusted pipes and damp floor issues near your toilet.

Damaged flapper

The toilet’s tank holds water until it is flushed. When you flush, the flapper inside the tank is lifted. The water passes through into the bowl. Made of plastic or rubber, the flapper holds a seal that stores water in the tank.

In other words, it creates a barrier between the bowl and the tank. However, over time the flapper can crack, break, and warp. It may no longer be able to hold water in the tank. As it acts like a silent and hidden leak, your water bill is likely to shoot up. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the sounds of water flowing in your toilet after you have flushed.

Regardless of the cause, if you have a leaky toilet, contact us. At 911 Restoration of Chico, our team can help you fix the problem and water damages caused by the leaks. Let our team of experienced and certified home restoration consultants assist you. Schedule a service today.