Toilet Leaks

Toilets are one of the most common sources of water leaks in homes. A toilet leak can waste up to 5 gallons of water every minute (7,200 gallons per day!).

If that much water were leaking from the toilet onto the floor in the bathroom, it would be very noticeable. However, toilet leaks flow from the tank on the back of the toilet into the bowl, and then into the sewer. They may not make much, if any, noise. A toilet leak doesn't just waste water, it costs you money. Both the water that went down the toilet and the sewer treatment for that amount of water show up on your water bill.

To check for a toilet flapper leak follow the steps below

1. Take the lid off your toilet tank
2. Put in a few drops of food coloring or a few dye tablets
3. Wait 25-30 minutes
4. Look in the bowl, if the coloring has seeped from the tank into the bowl, you have a toilet leak.

*Check the flapper. If black residue rubs off when you touch it, you need to replace it.

Other toilet parts to check include:

1. If the float is not adjusted properly, water can continue to fill into the tank, and drain down the overflow tube. Pull up on the float. If the water stops running, you might need to adjust the float.
2. The fill valve / inlet valve is not set properly or has malfunctioned. This sometimes causes a hiss or a squeal when filling. Try adjusting the fill valve. You might need to replace it.
3. Do you need to jiggle the handle to make the water stop running? You need to adjust the chain attached to the handle so that the flapper sits in the valve seat properly.