To test for a leak, simply open the lid on the toilet tank and add a few drops of food coloring. Don't flush the toilet -- instead, wait an hour or two without using the toilet at all. Afterward, check the water in the bowl. If the food coloring has seeped into the bowl, you know you have a leak.
There are two major toilet parts in the tank that make this happen: the flush valve and the fill valve. The toilet fill valve is the mechanism that fills the tank with water. It's also known as the ballcock or refill valve.
Get some dye tablets from a hardware store or use food coloring. Put the tablets or coloring in the toilet tank and if the valve is leaking you will see the dyed water entering the main part of the toilet after a few minutes (wait about 10 minutes).
Under normal usage conditions, most toilet tank components endure for several years. Items like the flapper, however, might require replacement every 3 to 5 years because of wear from constant exposure to water.
However, cracks in the toilet tank can appear over time, no matter what precautionary measures are taken to prevent them.
The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper does not seat properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Often this leak will occur without being heard.
But how do plumbers find leaks? Plumbers use moisture meters and determine the area of the wall with the highest moisture levels. Sometimes, leaks are located using infrared cameras, which point out the coolest (and wettest) areas behind the walls.
Causes include a leaky flapper, too much water in the tank, or refill tube issues. Leaky Toilet: Expect to pay $100–$600 for leaky toilet repairs. Leaks happen where the toilet meets the floor, at the water supply valve, and between the bowl and tank. Clogged Toilet: Repairing a toilet clog costs $85–$600.
It is quite common for minerals such as calcium and lime, along with debris particles such as rust to build up in the rim feed and jet holes of the toilet bowl. Over time, these deposits restrict and block water from flowing into the toilet bowl which will cause a weak or incomplete flush.
Look for cracks in the bowl or the tank of the toilet. If you notice any, or if you hear constant running from your toilet, replace it right away before the situation gets worse. If you can't tell if there's a crack, put dye in the water of the tank or bowl and see if the dyed water makes it to the floor.
This type of leak detection costs can range from $150 to $1200; the average is $400.00.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
They detect temperature variations that indicate the presence of leaks, making this technology particularly useful for finding hidden leaks. Endoscopic cameras also provide valuable visual information, allowing for the inspection of pipes and fittings.
The two most common causes of a toilet leak are the flapper or fill valve. To check for these leaks, lift the tank lid and look at the back wall of the toilet tank. You will see a water line that marks the level at which water fills the tank.
The longer a tablet sits in a tank without a toilet being flushed, the quicker the damage can occur to the various parts of your toilet. Many people just drop these tablets in their toilet tank and leave thinking that the tablets are doing their job. In reality, these cleaning tablets are slowly damaging your toilet.
Replacing a toilet costs between $275 and $480 in most cases, and the average cost sits around $375.