How to Repair a Leaking Toilet

Fixing a leaking toilet can be simple and takes few minutes of work. Here are few ways to check the extent of the problem and work on fixing the leak by yourself:

Things You'll Need

• Pipe wrench
• Channel locks/adjustable wrench
• Replacement valve
• Replacement gaskets
• Replacement seals
• Replacement wax ring

Instructions

1. 

   Determine what is leaking by checking possible sources of water leaks in the toilet.

2. 

   Start by checking if there is water collecting on the floor close to the toilet valve. If there is, check the valve to see if it is the source of the leakage. If the valve is leaking, tighten it using two wrenches. If the leaking doesn't stop, replace the valve with a new one. But before doing this, make sure you shut off the main water source valve to prevent flooding.

3. 

   If the leak doesn't come from the toilet valve, check the hose that passes the water from the source to the tank for any breakage, tear, or kinks. If there's none of these, tighten the hose using channel locks. If it doesn't stop the leaking, tighten the nut that's holding the fill valve.

4. 

   If the above step doesn't stop the leak, the gaskets are defective and you need to replace them. Shut off the water first then drain the tank. Undo the hose, open the tank lid, hold the fill valve and untighten the nut on the bottom of the tank. Replace the gaskets with new ones.

5. 

   If the water is leaking between the tank and toilet bowl, then most likely the seal between them is not properly set or worn out. The seal may need to be replaced. Make sure to drain the water from the tank and shut off the valve first. Unscrew the bolts that are holding the tank and toilet bowl together. Pull out the tank upwards and inspect the seal. If it's broken, replace it. After replacement, put the components back together.

6. 

   If the toilet is leaking on the bottom base, most likely the wax ring may be worn out or the base is loose. First thing you might want to try is tighten the two screws that are holding the toilet base to the floor. If that doesn't help, you need to replace the wax ring. Make sure the water tank is empty of water first. Suck in all the water in the toilet bowl using a wet vacuum or anything you can use to drain the water out. Unscrew the two bolts on the bottom of the base. Lift up the toilet bowl and flip it sideways. Clean the existing wax off the toilet and the drain. Put the new wax ring into the drain hole. Put two bolts in their holding space. Lift the toilet bowl over the wax ring making sure not to move them. Set the toilet in place making sure the bolts are in their proper location. Wiggle the toilet base to seal it in properly. Tighten up the bolts, close up the cover, then turn the water back on.

7. 

   If you still can't able to fix the leak, it's best to call a professional to do the job for you.