7 Causes of a Leaking Toilet

Many of us have to deal with a leaking toilet at some point. It is one of those household problems that cannot be left unattended for long. Detecting the cause of leakage can be somewhat of a challenge. Quite often, you’ll do some repair only to find that the leakage recurs. It helps if you have some idea of the common causes of the leakage. This will help you troubleshoot more effectively and undertake necessary repairs whenever you spot a leakage. Below are 7 possible causes of toilet leakages.

1. Leaking Supply Line

Quite often, a faulty supply line will cause the toilet to leak. When joints in the supply line become loose or wear out, they allow water to seep through. The rubber lining in the supply line used to guard against leakage may also wear out or rupture. Mechanical damage caused to the supply line can also cause leaking.

2. Broken Toilet Tank

An accidental impact on the toilet tank may create a crack which will cause perpetual leaking. The toilet fill valve will continue to replenish water as usual regardless of the fractured tank. This causes constant leakage through the broken tank. Sometimes the crack may not be quite visible. It is more difficult to detect a hairline crack which can cause persistent leakage.

3. Stuck Flapper

This can cause one of the more serious toilet leakages. A stuck flapper can cause huge amounts of water loss. Usually it is caused when the flush handle gets stuck. When turned to the down position it remains there instead of swinging back up. Meanwhile, the fill valve continues to supply the toilet tank with water. An overflow results which causes constant and severe leakage.

4. Faulty Connections

The various toilet connections tend to become loose with time. Rubber linings used to ensure watertight connections also wear away, causing toilet leakage. It is best to replace any worn out or damaged parts to prevent leakages. It is a good idea if you check your toilet connections periodically to make sure they're in good condition.

5. Warped Flapper

Leakage caused by a warped flapper can be difficult to detect. It is often referred to as a silent leak. With time, the flapper will get worn out. Mineral buildup on the flapper especially contributes to the wear and tear. Water authorities must constantly add chemicals to the water to purify it. Cleaners used in the toilet tank also add chemicals to the water. This causes the flapper to gradually wear away. Water loss will depend on the extent to which the flapper is worn out.

6. Faulty Fill Valve

The fill valve wears down with time. Accumulation of mineral deposits also causes the fill valve to be less effective in water supply. It may fail to shut off completely, leading to toilet leakage.

7. Faulty Float

The float is a hollow ball that floats on the water surface in the toilet tank. When cracked or not well aligned, it causes the fill valve to run continuously. This causes toilet leakage.