Water Leakage at the Bottom of the Toilet? Reasons & Solutions
Introduction
Toilet leakage can be extremely exhausting, notably if spillage goes straight onto the floor from the bottom. If you notice such leakage, there is a likelihood that some plumbing fittings are not secure. Preventing a plumbing disaster that would render your toilet inoperable until fixed is better than coping with a toilet continuously leaking at the bottom, causing various types of water damage. If a little leak persists without being discovered for a long time, it may cause severe water, mold growth, and flooring deterioration. Even foundational fractures may be affected by the leaky water, which would weaken the construction of your house.
This article explains the causes of your toilet leak and how you can swiftly perform the repairs required for water damage restoration.
6 Reasons for Water Leakage at the Bottom of the Toilet
These are a few of the reasons behind water damage from toilet leaks.
1. Broken Flapper
A flapper is a synthetic or rubber component that sustains a vacuum to retain the water in the tank. It acts as a constraint between the toilet tank and the bowl. It is prone to warping, cracking, and breaking with time. If this happens, it will lose the ability to regulate the water flow. As a result, water frequently escapes into the bowl, making an irritating dripping noise. Your water bill is likely higher than it needs to be if you have this hidden leak. Listen for weird water noises when flushing your toilet to save money and water damage from toilet leaks.
2. Defective Supply Line
Water enters the toilet’s tank through a supply cold water tube. The supply line could rupture over time or under heavy water pressure. It is also the reason for bathtub overflow water damage. To reduce damage to your property and bathtub overflow water damage, repairing a damaged supply line frequently necessitates the quick aid of a plumber for water damage restoration.
3. Poor Floater
When the water in the toilet tank exceeds a particular level, it should quit pouring. When the water level reaches the required level, the float disengages the supply while floating on top of the water. A defective floater is likely to be responsible for the spilling of your toilet’s tank. Nevertheless, replacing a broken floater is a straightforward procedure. A substitute floater is typically simple to set up because it effortlessly slides into position without needing equipment or much exertion.
4. Worn-Out Fill Valve
If your tank overflows, and the floater isn’t the cause, you might have a deteriorated or faulty fill valve. The valve regulates how much water flows into it to ensure the tank gets filled to the proper volume. While changing the valve is simple, fixing the floater is typically more troublesome. The fill valve comprises several sections, each of which requires a closer look to determine whether it still functions or whether the complete fill valve system needs changing.
5. Faulty Connectors
Like any other plumbing appliance, your toilet includes many components that stop water leaks. Your bathroom floor can get wet if one of these components develops a leak. Upgrading these toilet components is typically a simple task that benefits from the expertise of a plumber. You must regularly inspect these components to avoid water damage from toilet leaks. If at all practicable, choose high-quality repair parts to increase your chances of keeping leaks at bay.
6. Defected Bowl
The leak could be coming from corrosion in your toilet bowl. The bowl controls the flow of water. In a breach, the water will ultimately spill onto the floor. If you use adhesive or plaster to repair a break in extensively used ceramic ware, the breach might not get tightly enclosed, and you could end up with unsanitary wastewater spilled on your surface. It is preferable to overhaul your toilet entirely if its components are broken and dripping. It is also best for any water damage restoration.
6 Ways to resolve Water Leakage at the Bottom of the Toilet
To effectively fix your toilet leak and protect your home from the various types of water damage it may cause, carefully examine these instructions.
1. Adjust the Tee Bolts
Your toilet’s undercarriage has two thin coverings, and you must start by removing these plastic coverings. Nextly, secure the tee bolts and torque them using an extendable open-ended wrench tool. There is a wax ring that locks the toilet drainage outflow that will get crushed if the toilet is shoved firmly against the surface. It may be necessary to completely dismantle and reassemble the bathroom to set up a fresh wax ring and new and improved tee bolts if they are too tight or cannot adjust.
2. Fix the Flapper
Although flappers are straightforward machines, they might not be durable. Investigating it takes only five minutes. Inspect whether the flapper is attached to the flushing lever by lifting the top of the tank. Often the chain only requires repositioning the lever after slipping off. The element that lifts the flapper vertically and horizontally might need replacement to ensure it functions as it should. Since the substitute flapper is a standalone item and frequently comes with a bathroom repair kit, a do-it-yourself fix is possible.
3. Rebuild a Damaged Tank
Installing a new toilet is the wisest option for efficiently fixing a damaged tank. Even while plaster and adhesives can momentarily prevent a leak, replacing your old toilet can provide you more peace of mind and safeguard your surrounding bathroom fittings from water damage. If your toilet is two pieces, you can replace just the tank instead of the entire thing. If you select a water-saving model, an improved toilet can even cost you less money.
4. Replace the Valve
Most substitute valves come with comprehensive guidelines if you decide to do it yourself. Often the best action for a faulty fill valve is to turn off the water stream and obtain the help of a qualified plumber or water damage restoration service before trying to fix it yourself because the process necessitates evaluating the feasibility of different elements of the toilet.
5. Insert a New One After Removing the Wax Ring
Remove the old wax with a palette knife. It must happen from the area surrounding the drainage entrance. Ensure that all of the old wax has gotten removed. Once the putty gets scraped up completely, place it in the fresh wax ring. Position the rubber tip of the ring such that it faces the sewer. Replace all the nuts and washers and tighten them as much as adequate for water damage restoration.
6. Seek Professional Assistance
You can opt for the various do-it-yourself techniques, but the wisest decision in most toilet leak scenarios is to call an experienced plumber or water damage restoration service. It will save you the cost of buying equipment and other replacement expenses. Also, there is less probability of any type of water damage if you let professionals handle it.
Hire Our Water Restoration Services
You can’t necessarily control toilet plumbing issues. Your concerns about toilet maintenance will reduce when you hire professional services. Fixing minor plumbing issues immediately, like a toilet that leaks at the bottom, helps to avoid serious problems later.
Want assistance with restoring water damage on your property? ONT services are available to assist. They are a reputable water damage restoration company that can handle all your plumbing issues.