Leaking Toilet Tanks & Bowls (Quick-Fix Solutions!)
A leaking toilet tank or toilet bowl is annoying at best and damaging at worst. And there are many reasons for the leak.
But fixing the problem doesn’t have to be frustrating or expensive.
Examples of Leaking Toilet Tanks & Bowls
On a hot, humid day, condensation dripping from the cool air outside the tank or bowl can be substantial enough to make a puddle. You can simply live with it or install rigid-foam tank insulation.
However, a chronic leak probably means a faulty water supply connection, spud gasket, or toilet wax ring. More often than not, you simply need to tighten the hold-down bolts to solve the problem.
A crack in a tank can sometimes be patched from inside with silicone sealant. On the other hand, a cracked toilet bowl should be replaced.
Regardless of the type of leaking toilet tank or bowl that you have, here are some solutions that can be handled fairly quickly and efficiently.
Solutions for 3 Types of Leaking Toilet Tanks & Bowls
Firstly, you will need wrenches, a screwdriver, a putty knife, and up to two hours of your time. No special skills are required. But again, be careful not to crack the toilet bowl.
1. Leaking Water Supply Line
If the leak comes from where the water supply enters the tank, first tighten the locknut. If that doesn’t work, follow these steps:
- Shut off the water supply to the tank
- Flush the toilet to drain it of water
- Sponge out any remaining water in the tank
- Disconnect the water supply line
- Remove the locknut
- Replace the old beveled gasket and rubber washer with new ones
2. Leaking Between Toilet Tank and Bowl
Extended use can cause the tank hold-down bolts to loosen enough to produce a leak at the spud gasket.
Use a screwdriver and wrench to tighten the bolts. This will squeeze the tank against the spud gasket, creating a better seal. If the leak persists, try this:
- Shut off the water supply to the tank
- Flush the toilet to drain it of water
- Sponge out any remaining water in the tank
- Detach the water supply line
- Remove the hold-down bolts
- Lift out the tank
- Replace the spud gasket
- Put everything back together
3. Leaking at Base of Toilet Bowl
If the bowl is cracked, you’ll have to replace it. No getting around that one.
If the bowl is fine, try gently tightening the hold-down nuts. If that doesn’t stop the leaking toilet bowl, then you’ll need to replace the toilet wax ring.
We have a detailed article on how to replace a toilet ring here. Here’s a summarized version of the steps involved:
- Shut off the water supply to the tank
- Flush the toilet to drain it of water
- Sponge out any remaining water in the tank
- Disconnect the water supply line
- Remove the nuts on the hold-down bolts
- Scrape away the old wax ring and any putty on the bottom of the bowl
- Press a new wax ring in place
- Reinstall the toilet
PRO TIP: In many old-style toilets, a fitting (pipe) connects the tank to the bowl. If leaks develop at either end of the fitting, tightening the nuts may stop the leak. If not, take the toilet apart and replace any worn-out parts.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, toilet tanks and bowls can leak in many ways. But as you can see, solving the problem can be relatively straight-forward. And the repairs don’t require any special skills or experience.
If you feel these projects are out of your comfort zone, you can always contact a trusted local plumber for assistance.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with toilet tank or toilet bowl leaks. We will repair, replace, or install fixtures at your convenience.
1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain, or water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
