Mar2

By Dave Bangar

5 Possible Reasons Your Toilet Is Leaking

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Most Common Causes of Toilet Leaks

From a sky-high high water bill to water damage, mould, and difficulty flushing, a leaking toilet can have serious consequences if it isn’t addressed quickly. 

While a plumber can help you fix the problem when it occurs, it’s important for Kelowna homeowners to have a solid understanding of what caused the toilet leak in the first place. This will help you be prepared when a leak occurs and take steps to prevent the issue from recurring. 

In this article, we will cover the topic of leaking toilets and provide a rundown of the most common reasons toilets in the Okanagan end up leaking. 

What Are the Signs of a Leaking Toilet?

You might be wondering, how do I tell if my toilet is leaking? For some, it may be obvious, but for others, this issue can be hard to spot, leading to extensive water damage and other plumbing issues.

Here are a few signs that every Kelowna home or business-owner should be on the lookout for:

• There are loud, strange sounds coming from your toilet when it is not being used
• The tank fully empties when you hold down the toilet handle
• Your toilet is flushing on its own without anyone holding down the handle
• Water is trickling down the side of the toilet
• There is a water stain on your ceiling below an upstairs bathroom

For further reassurance, you can also do a quick test to see if your toilet is functioning properly.
Simply get some food colouring (any colour will do) and pour 10 to 15 drops of it into your toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. If the dye ends up in your toilet bowl, you have a leak.
If you notice any of the above issues and/or your toilet fails the dye test, contact a plumber immediately.

Why Your Toilet Might be Leaking

Once you have established that you do, in fact, have a leaking toilet, it’s important to find the source of the problem. Here are a few of the most commons reasons toilets leak:

Cracks in the Bowl or Tank

Sometimes, toilet bowls and toilet tanks can develop small hairline cracks due to age and other factors. When this happens, you may notice small amounts of water pooling around your toilet. Depending on the severity of the cracks, they could potentially be patched. However, with more severe cracks, the toilet will likely need replacing.

Rusty Pipes

With age and excess moisture, it’s normal for pipes to get rusty. However, when too much rust forms around your pipes, it can cause small cracks to form. When cracks form, you will have a leak on your hands.

Loose or Worn Out Seal 

If you notice water pooling up around the base of your toilet, the seal that binds your toilet to the floor may have become loose and worn out due to age. 

Broken Flapper

A broken flapper can also cause a toilet to start leaking. The flapper is what prevents water in the toilet tank from entering the bowl when the toilet is not being flushed. This means that when it breaks, water inevitably leaks into your bowl.
This can be a major problem, as it is difficult to spot until it is too late.

Cracked Supply Line

The supply line is what connects your water supply to your toilet. When cracks form in the supply line or the joints come loose, it can cause leaks. Supply line issues are often caused by age or high water pressure. 

What to Do If You Discover a Leak

If you suspect you have a leaking toilet in your Kelowna home or business, you have an emergency situation on your hands that needs immediate attention from a licensed Kelowna-based plumber.

At My Plumber Kelowna, we have a team of licensed, trained, and highly experienced plumbers who can diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve your plumbing issues any time of day.

Call us today at 250-601-0000 or fill out a form on our website and we will be in touch ASAP.