How to Repair a Leaking Toilet: Easy Solutions for Every Homeowner

A leaking toilet is an inconvenience. If left unaddressed, it wastes water, increases utility bills, and damages the foundation of your home. You must act fast and resort to a running toilet repair service immediately. It helps restore normalcy on the premises, prevents damage to plumbing appliances and the home itself, and lets us lead a high-quality life. So, let’s discuss the steps for leaking toilet repair. We will also discuss how Parzival Plumbing offers a reliable solution to this problem. 

Common Causes of A Leaking Toilet

Many reasons lead to a leaky toilet issue. Here are some of them- 

Faulty Flapper:

It is a rubber component that seals the tank’s water from flowing into the bowl. If it is damaged or misaligned, water may leak, leading to this plumbing problem. 

Loose Tank Bolt

Remember, with time, bolts securing the tank to the bowl are damaged. It leads to water leakage. 

Damaged Wax Ring

It seals the toilet base to the floor. If it is damaged, you will experience water leakage around the toilet’s base. 

Damaged Tank or Bowl

If the toilet tank or bowl is damaged, it requires intervention from professional plumbers. If you face this problem, contact us at Parzival Plumbing. We offer all-inclusive plumbing services in Costa Mesa. As required, our plumbers will repair or replace the damaged tank or bowl. 

Overflow Tube

A damaged or improperly set overflow tube may lead to a water leakage issue in the toilet. Understanding the root cause of the problem will enable you to fix it immediately & ensure the proper functionality of the toilet again. 

Should I Call A Professional Plumber For Running Toilet Repair?

Of course, you should. Remember, unprofessional repair attempts can cause bigger damage to your toilet, causing expensive plumbing repairs later. Contacting Parzival Plumbing makes things easier for you. We have the required knowledge, experience, certification, and tools to perform the plumbing repair work quickly, efficiently, and safely, and make your toilet work like a new one. 

Which Tools & Materials Will You Use For Toilet Repair?

To repair a leaking toilet, our seasoned plumbers in Laguna Beach may use the following tools as required- 

• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdriver 
• Replacement flapper
• Replacement fill valve kit
• Replacement wax ring in case the leak is at the base
• Replacement wax ring if the leak is at the base
• Tank bolt kit
• Gloves for hygiene
• Plumber’s tape
• Towels or rags
• Sponge and bucket & 
• Toilet tank cleaner (for maintenance if required)

Step-by-Step Guide to Repairing a Leaking Toilet

Correct Diagnosis of The Problem

Correct diagnosis of the plumbing problem is the first step to restoring the toilet’s functionality. Therefore, our plumbers first identify the source of the leak in the toilet. They look around the base of the toilet. It may indicate a wax ring issue. Moreover, a hissing sound points to a running toilet caused by a faulty flapper or fill valve. If the tank is constantly refilling, the problem may be in the tank components. 

Turning Off the Water Supply

After diagnosing the root cause of the leak, our plumbers locate the shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise. It stops the water flow. They flush the toilet to vacant its tank and soak up remaining water with a towel or sponge. It dries up the space and lays the foundation for high-quality plumbing repair. 

Inspecting and Replacing the Flapper

Always remember, the flapper is a common cause for a running toilet. To fix it, our plumbers take the following action- 

• They remove the tank lid and locate the flapper
• They examine it for cracks, blockages, and leaks. If it is damaged, they replace it.
• They choose a new flapper compatible with your toilet model, adjust the chain length, and install it.
• Turn the water back on to test the flush. If everything is ok, the flapper is sealed tightly. 

Checking The Fill Valve

If the toilet leak is caused by the fill valve, we may take the following actions to fix it.

• We watch the fill valve while the tank refills. If water keeps overflowing into the overflow tube, it ensures the valve is faulty. 
• We turn the adjustment screw or slide the float clip to adjust the float height. 
• If the adjustment doesn’t solve the problem, we replace the fill valve with a new one. 
• At last, we turn on the water and flush to see if the toilet is working smoothly. If there are additional plumbing issues, we perform the repair work and ensure your toilet starts working smoothly. 

Tightening or Replacing Tank Bolts

Leaks between the tank and bowl are often caused by loose or corroded tank bolts. To fix them, we, 

• Examine the bolts under the tank for rust or looseness.
• Tighten the bolts slightly using an adjustable wrench. 
• If bolts or washers are damaged, we replace them with a tank bolt kit.
• Lastly, we reassemble the tank, look for leaks by flushing the toilet, and see if everything is ok. 

Replacing the Wax Ring 

If water is leaking around the toilet’s base, the wax ring may be damaged. To replace it, we-

• Turn off the water.
• Disconnect the supply line.
• Unscrew the floor bolts, remove the toilet, and rock it slowly to break the wax seal.
• Remove the damaged ring from the toilet base and flange.
• Install a new wax ring on the flange and reposition the toilet. 
• Secure the toilet with floor bolts, reconnect the water line, and flush it to look for water leaks. 

Checking for Cracks or Other Plumbing Issues

Always remember, a toilet leak may also happen due to cracks in the toilet tank or bowl. If this is the case, our plumbers may replace the damaged tank or bowl. 

Effective Tips to Prevent Leaking Toilets

A running toilet causes disorder in homes and affects your quality of life. Follow these recommendations to keep it in good condition and maintain its optimal performance- 

• Clean the toilet tank at least once a week. It will prevent mineral buildup that can affect the flapper and fill valve. If you can’t do this, opt for our toilet plumbing services in Lake Forest. We will perform the toilet maintenance drives regularly and stop minor plumbing issues from transforming into bigger ones. 
• Examine the component for at least 6 or 12 months. Take our help to replace the damaged spare parts of the toilet. 
• Properly flush the toilet after every use and ensure no blockage is being formed in its plumbing system. 

By following these tips, you can minimize the possibility of toilet leaks and other plumbing issues. 

Conclusion

Home toilet repair becomes essential as it causes many troubles to inhabitants. Ignoring the problem may lead to major plumbing issues. By following this step-by-step guide, you can easily fix a running toilet and lead a high-quality life. Parzival Plumbing is always happy to offer an instant solution to this plumbing problem. Contact us today and see your toilet working again like a new one with our help.