One of the most common causes of a toilet leak stems from your flapper. The flapper is a device within the tank that blocks the water from entering your toilet bowl. If your flapper becomes worn out or stuck, not only can it cause one of the more severe toilet leaks, it can also cause a huge amount of water loss.
Loose or worn out tank-to-bowl connections.
The tank and bowl in two-piece toilets are bound together by a collection of gaskets, nuts and bolts. If any of these parts come loose, a leak can develop at that area in the toilet.
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.
About 20 percent of all toilets leak. Most toilet leaks occur from the tank on the back of the toilet into the bowl, and then into the sewer. They might not make much, if any, noise. While common, toilet leaks are usually easy to fix.
On average, most toilets will have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, even with regular use. The lifespan may vary depending on the toilet model and the wear and tear it experiences over the years. Most toilets will start to give you warning signs indicating the time for replacement is near.
One reason for a toilet leak from the base might be a loose connection where the tank meets the toilet. Check the connecting bolts. If they seem loose or you can see water gathering in that area, use the screwdriver to tighten them. Approach the bolts from inside the tank and screw downward to create the best seal.
The wax ring is exactly what it sounds like: a ring made of sticky wax that helps form a watertight seal between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer pipe. It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble, and fail prematurely.
Again, leaky water is a telltale and common sign of a bad wax ring. If you do not regularly see moisture or puddling water under your toilet, you may be fine. Leaks can, however, happen where you do not see them, under the finished floor and into the subfloor.
If your toilet is causing a wet floor, you could end up with rotted floor boards, damage to the ceiling below, and other structural damage, which could end up being disruptive and expensive to repair.
Since the water flows down the sewer, leaking toilets don't necessarily leave any signs of a leak, until you get the bill. The average leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water per day. That's over 6,000 gallons a month ($70.06*) for just one leaking toilet!
Finding a leak in your bathroom is a common, yet frustrating part of homeownership. Leaks in the sink, toilet, shower, or tub can easily cause stress and provoke an emergency response in a homeowner.
Here are some possible reasons why your toilet is leaking at base anytime you flush: Your fill or supply valves are loose. A cracked toilet tank. The flapper isn't shutting as it should over the valve seat, causing the flush valve to leak.
Like many things in the world of plumbing, a wax ring (aka wax seal) on a toilet is an inexpensive part by itself. However, the expertise and time needed to replace it often necessitate using a professional plumber to do the work.
In conclusion, the wax ring on your toilet will most likely never need to be replaced for the lifetime of the toilet. But, it will if you find that the base of your toilet is leaking. Sometimes, leaks at the base can be caused by the bolts being too loose. On the other hand, it could be because of a faulty wax ring.
🚽 Caulking Prevents Water Contamination
It could be water splashing out of a bathtub, mop water, water from a shower and even misguided potty training from your young boys who seem to miss the toilet bowl every single time! Without caulk around the toilet base, water can get under there and sit for a long time.
$90-$120 is a good ballpark.
If you are having other plumbing work done, they might do it cheaper, and if they have a large travel fee, you may pay closer to $150. Unless there is a problem, it should take them under a half hour, whereas, it might take a novice 1.5-2 hours.
Replacing the wax ring is as easy as sliding the new piece onto the bolts in the floor, then sliding the toilet down to make a tight seal.
Determine if the Wax ring is possibly bad by inspecting the floor for water or a foul odor of sewer gas. Use food coloring. If are unsure of where water is coming from you can add food coloring to the toilet tank. If the floor's water is the same color, then you likely will need to install a new wax ring.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak.
Wax rings come in two diameters, 3 and 4 inches, to comply with the standard size for toilets in the United States. Thickness is also a specification that should be considered. Again, you have two options: regular and extra thick.
How often should you replace your toilet? Toilets are hardy devices that can last for up to 50 years if they're well-maintained and gently used. However, with daily use, you can expect a toilet to last about 20 to 30 years before it needs to be replaced.
While toilets are meant to last several decades, they do have a limit. If you know your toilet has been around longer than you've been alive, then there's a chance that it's likely on its last leg already. A general rule of thumb is to replace a toilet around every 25 years, though your mileage may vary.
Cleaning, clogs and flushing
Cleaning your toilets regularly is the foundation of a good toilet maintenance checklist, but monthly is more realistic. Wipe down the entire toilet at least once a month, and don't forget to clean the rim jets, located under the rim of the bowl. They're a little tricky to reach.