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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Causes of a Leaky Toilet

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

Person working on a toilet. Sometimes a leak is quickly resolved with standard household tools.

A leaking toilet is a common problem in a home, and it does not always require the skilled hands of plumbing professionals in Austin, TX. Sometimes a leak is quickly resolved with standard household tools. However, before you can fix a leak, you must know where the leak is coming from. There are at least four likely sources for a leaky toilet.

Loose supply line or faulty shutoff valve
Cracked tank
Loose Bolts
Dry wax ring

Loose Supply Line or Faulty Shutoff Valve
One of the first things you should check when experiencing this type of bathroom leak is the supply line and the shutoff valve. It is not uncommon for these lines to loosen over time, causing a small leak. Also, the water shutoff valve can age and become less effective over time.

Cracked Tank
Next, check around the outside of the tank for any moisture or condensation. If you find any, then dry the area and wait a few minutes. If the moisture buildup reappears, then you might have a small crack in the tank that is causing your leaking toilet. If it is a crack, depending on the extent of the damage, you might need to replace the toilet.

Loose Bolts
If you notice pooling around the base of the toilet, then you might have loose bolts. The floor bolts are meant to hold the toilet tight against the wax ring underneath, preventing waste fumes and leaks. Check the bolts and try tightening those that feel loose. Then dry the area and see if water reappears.

Dry Wax Ring
If water reappears after tightening the bolts, then you likely have a dry wax ring. Unfortunately, this means that you will need to remove the toilet and replace the ring.


A leaking toilet is not always a sign of more worrisome issues. Sometimes it is just a loose element and nothing more. However, if you are concerned, then you can reach out to a plumbing specialist for an assessment.

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