Fix a Leaky Toilet Tank
Water pooling around the bottom of a toilet may come from a variety of locations on the tank. Determine the location of the leak and then proceed with the appropriate repair.
Steps
Fixing a Leak from Where the Tank and Bowl Connect
Fixing a leak in this location involves simply tightening the nut or replacing the washer.
- Find the nuts that connect the tank to the bowl.
- Use a flathead screwdriver to steady the bolt.
- Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the nut.
- Replace the washers if water continues to seep out. Start by removing the nut with an adjustable wrench
- Replace the washer.
- Replace and tighten the nut.
Fixing a Leak from the Toilet Handle
Toilets control water height using a float ball, a water-intake assembly or a metered fill valve. Any of these may cause leaks from the toilet handle. The overflow pipe may also be too long.
- Adjust the positioning for the float ball. Check to see if the float ball is too high. If the ball is too high, water is running into the overflow pipe and out of the handle.
- Bend the float ball arm down slightly so that the water comes up to about 1” below the overflow pipe.
- Flush the toilet to ensure that enough water gets into the bowl. If the water level is insufficient, then adjust the float ball arm up slightly until the tank fills with water.
- Lower the water level by adjusting the Water-Intake Assembly.
- Pinch the clip attached to the thin metal rod.
- Slide the clip and the cup down to lower the water level. Move 1” at a time.
- Flush the toilet to ensure that enough water gets into the bowl. If the water level is not sufficient, adjust the cup slightly upward.
- Adjust the knob of the Metered Fill Valve.
- Turn the knob counterclockwise 1/4 of a turn using a screwdriver.
- Adjust the knob 1/4 turn counterclockwise until the water is below the overflow pipe.
- Flush the toilet to ensure that enough water gets into the bowl. If the water level is insufficient, adjust the knob slightly clockwise until enough water fills the bowl.
- Check the Overflow Pipe.
- Check to be sure that the overflow pipe is 1/2” below the handle.
- Use a hacksaw to shorten the pipe, if needed.
Fixing a Leak Around the Flush Valve
A damaged flush valve assembly will have to be replaced. This will require removing the toilet tank.
- Place towels on the floor to catch excess water.
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
- Flush the toilet to drain the tank.
- Loosen the nuts for the supply tube using an adjustable wrench.
- Loosen the nuts that hold the tank on the bowl, keeping the bolt stable with a flathead screwdriver.
- Lift the tank off of the bowl. Lay the tank on top of the towels that you have already placed on the floor.
- Replace the flush valve assembly by first removing the old flush valve assembly and unscrewing the locknut on the bottom of the tank.
- Cut the pipe to 1/2” below the top of the tank using a hacksaw.
- Place plumber’s putty on the washer at the foot of the new flush valve assembly.
- Push the assembly against the tank opening. Scrape off any excess putty.
- Tighten the locknut with a monkey wrench. Replace the gasket over the locknut.
- Replace the tank by first placing the tank back on top of the bowl and tighten the nuts that connect it to the bowl.
- Turn back on the water supply and fill the tank.
- Flush the tank to ensure that the leak is gone.
Fixing a Spraying Ball Cock
The ball cock is attached to the float ball and controls the flow of water into the tank.
- Turn off the water supply to the toilet.
- Flush the toilet to empty the bowl.
- Remove the screws that surround the ball cock assembly.
- Move the float arm out of the way, if needed.
- Remove the washer or the diaphragm from the valve plunger with a screwdriver. Check the pieces for damage. If the washer or diaphragm is damaged, then it should be replaced.
- Clean sediment from around the ball cock using white vinegar and a small brush.
- Replace the washer or diaphragm and the ball cock.
Fixing a Spraying Refill Tube
Simply replace the tube and cut it to the appropriate length to stop the spraying.
- Purchase one replacement refill tube of the same diameter as the old tube.
- Remove the old tube. Cut the new tube with a hacksaw, matching the length of the new tube to the length of the old tube.
- Replace the old tube.
Fixing a Leak from the Shutoff Valve
Before disassembling the entire valve, try tightening the packing nut in the center of the valve 1/8 of a turn clockwise to see if that seals the leak.
- Remove the packing nut to disassemble the shutoff valve.
- Turn the valve stem to remove the piece from the wall using groove joint pliers. Leave the toilet and the supply lines intact.
- Remove the washers that encircle the valve and clean them. If these washers are damaged, take them to the home improvement store and purchase new washers.
- Replace clean washers or install new ones and then reassemble the valve.
- Turn the water supply back on to check for leaks. If the leak remains, then purchase a new valve at the home improvement store.
- Install the new valve according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Finished.
Tips
- Toilets may develop condensation on the exterior of the tank during hot weather or when you’re taking a very hot shower. This “tank sweat” is harmless. However, you can eliminate the problem by insulating the interior of the toilet tank.
Warnings
- Nuts can be easily damaged during the repair process. Wrap masking tape around the grips of wrenches and pliers to avoid damage. Also, do not turn the nuts too forcefully, or you will risk breakage.
Things You'll Need
- Flathead screwdriver
- Adjustable wrench
- New washers for the underside of the toilet tank, if needed
- Hacksaw to trim pipes, if needed
- Towels to catch excess water
- Plumber’s putty
- Monkey wrench
- White vinegar
- Small brush
- New flush assembly, if needed
- New refill tube, if needed
- New washers for shutoff valve, if needed
- New shutoff valve, if needed
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