Leaking toilet

Leaking toilet

Are you dealing with a pesky plumbing problem? A leaky toilet can be an especially daunting issue to take on. We here at provide top-notch toilet repair services that will leave your loo in great shape! With our team of experienced and certified plumbers, we can tackle any job big or small and provide you with reliable solutions. We understand that this is a sticky situation, which is why we are available 24/7 to ensure that your plumbing problems get fixed quickly and hassle-free. Let us help you out and get everything back to working order without the added stress. Get in touch with us now for quality and dependable service!

Signs of a leaking toilet

Leaking toilets in Adelaide can be a common, yet tricky issue to detect. While there may be visible signs of a leak present such as visible droplets of water on the ground near a toilet, other signals can be more subtle and difficult to pinpoint. Oftentimes, the cause of a leaking toilet lies with plumbing connections or loose fixtures, or even corrosion in the tank. A telltale sign that homeowners might notice is if their water bills have been increasing over time for no apparent reason – this could indicate an unnoticed hidden leak from within their toilet. Additionally, some toilets may produce strange gurgling noises while flushed, caused by air bubbles that form due to inconsistency in plumbing pressure – indicating a possible leak somewhere along the line causing drainage back-up and weak flushing power.

Water pooling around the toilet base

If you notice water pooling around the toilet base, this is a telltale sign of a leaking toilet. The leak may be visible at the base or can also occur within the inner part of the porcelain bowl. To check for signs of damage and leaking, remove your tank lid and inspect for any excess water on the inside. If you can spot some wet patches, it likely indicates that the flapper valve needs replacing or there’s some sort of blockage in either your tank or the waste line causing a seal breach.

Water trickling down the sides of the bowl

Water trickling down the sides of a toilet bowl is an unmistakable sign of a leaking issue. It could be that excess water is coming out from the supply tube, or it might be due to a damaged flapper at the bottom of the toilet tank. In some cases, water could also be entering from gaps around the wax seal between the base of your toilet and flooring.

Sounds coming from the toilet when not in use

When a toilet is not in use and there are strange sounds coming from it, then it likely indicates that there is a leaking issue. This could be caused by one of several components within the toilet tank or bowl, such as a worn out flapper valve, fractures in the porcelain, worn barrel bolts, misaligned tanks and bowls or mishandled plumbing connections and seals.

Jiggling the handle to stop the water running

Observing a constantly running toilet can be an indication of a leak, and many people attempt to resolve the situation by jiggling the handle of their flush. Generally this technique will only cease to water momentarily as it fails to eradicate the fundamental cause.

Holding the handle down to empty the tank

If you notice that the tank of your toilet is not emptying completely when you hold the handle down, it is a sign of a leaky seal. You can troubleshoot this problem by shutting off the water supply valve to the toilet. Then flush the toilet and make sure to get any remaining water out of the tank before removing its lid and inspecting for leaks around both refill valves, fill tube, flushes valve or outlet, and overflow tube. It is worthwhile more regularly cleaning out your tank by flushing it while holding down the handle as this forces all existing water out. By doing so regularly you take advantage of preventative maintenance and avoid potential leaks caused by worn seals which at times can become brittle or develop deposits that break the seal between different components.

Toilets flushing on their own (phantom flushing)

Phantom flushing, or toilets flushing on their own, is an indication that there is a leak in the toilet’s seal or in its tank. Although, for toilets without a loose seal and with a properly installed flush valve, this may simply be a case of condensation that is building up inside the tank. If the phantom flushing occurs frequently or continuously and is accompanied by other signs such as unusually loud noises from inside the tank, water spots and puddles around the base area of the toilet toilet bowl and constant increase in your water bill then it would indicate that there could be a leak in the flapper valve or something else that needs immediate attention. Experienced professionals should be consulted to assess whether it is condensation or leakage as both can cause similar problems if left untreated. In some cases, excessive flapper valves can also prevent even tanks from draining which can eventually lead to potential leaks.

Water rising above the overflow pipe


Rising water above the overflow toilet pipe is a sure sign of a leak occurring. When inspecting for water leakage in toilets, checking the overflow pipe is an essential task as it indicates whether there is any sort of leakage happening or not. In some cases, when this pipe starts to backfill, it is an indication that there may either be due to excessive condensation aka ‘sweating’, forming on the toilet tank’s surfaces and spilling over. Alternatively, if water continues to rise beyond the overflow pipe, then it strongly hints at a major internal leak within the toilet bowl itself – likely due to corroded components that are unable to contain the inflow of water from the inlet supply valve resulting in backflow beyond this point. Further inspection using leak detection dyes and other methods such as infrared thermal imaging should be used to identify precisely where the source of the problem lies and rectify it before further damage ensues.

What causes a toilet to leak?

There are a number of different reasons for a leaking toilet. A leaking toilet is one of the typical household issues that cannot be neglected for long. Your toilet can develop leaks nearly anywhere, both internally and externally.

Damaged flapper

The flapper is a rubber or plastic seal that sits between the toilet tank and bowl. Its main function is to open and close to allow water to flow from the tank to the bowl when the toilet is flushed. However, flappers can become damaged due to wear and tear, such as stretching, cracking, or breaking. When this happens, the flapper may not properly control the flow of water, leading to frequent leaks and a trickling noise. It is important to regularly check and replace the flapper if necessary to ensure proper functioning of the toilet.

Stuck flapper

Even if a toilet flapper is in fine condition, it may not be doing its function properly. Flappers frequently stick open, allowing water to continuously flow from the tank into the bowl. If this occurs with your toilet, the flushing handle will most likely become slack and unresponsive.

Bad float

The float in a toilet is a device that measures the water level in the tank and shuts off the supply when it reaches a certain level. This is important to prevent the tank from overflowing. If the float is not working properly, it can cause the water level in the tank to rise too high, resulting in an overflow. Fortunately, repairing a faulty float is usually a simple task. In many cases, the replacement float can be easily installed by sliding it into place without the need for any tools or complex procedures. If you are having issues with an overflowing toilet, checking and potentially replacing the float is a good place to start.

Rusted fill valve

If your tank overflows and the float isn’t to blame, the problem could be a rusted or faulty fill valve. When combined with the float, the valve controls the amount of water flowing into the tank, ensuring that the tank is full to the required number of gallons at a time. Although replacing the valve is not difficult, it is frequently more difficult than mending the float. The fill valve is made up of several sections, and each one must be evaluated to see if it still functions or if the complete fill valve unit needs to be replaced.

Broken connectors

Your toilet, like any other plumbing equipment, has numerous connectors that prevent water leaks. Water may end up on your bathroom floor if any of these connectors lose their seal. Replacing connections is normally a simple task, though it may necessitate the intervention of a plumber.

Water meter movement

This method is the easiest way to tell if you have a leakage. If you have all the water off in your home or business, but you can still see the water meter moving then you probably have a leak.

Bowl damage

Your toilet bowl damage could be the source of your leak. Because the bowl is designed to hold water, if there is a crack, it will most likely leak right onto your bathroom floor. A fracture in severely worn porcelain or ceramic ware will not be completely sealed with putty or glue, and you risk pouring harmful waste water on your floor. It is recommended to replace the entire toilet if any structural portion of it is cracked and leaking.

Damaged flush valve

As one of the most common causes of a leaking toilet, damaged flush valves can happen over time due to general wear and tear. However, there are other factors that can contribute to this issue such as calcium deposits within the tank, incorrect installation or use of faulty replacement parts. Flush valves contain seat washers and seals, which when damaged or worn away cannot properly shut off the water supply resulting in tank leakage. Homeowners may notice a steady trickle of water going through the valve, visible damage caused by calcium deposit buildup or misalignments on the new replacements pieces.

Loose tank bolts

Loose tank bolts are a leading cause of a leaking toilet and can almost always be identified as the root problem without having to run through more complicated troubleshooting procedures. Loosening of the tank bolts over time is perfectly normal because of the regular water pressure fluctuations and thermal expansion and contraction which occur during normal daily use. Over-tightened or incorrectly installed tank bolts can not only easily become loose due to these pressure fluctuations, but can also lead to damage in other parts of the system such as the flush valve, tank gasket, drain pipe & seal, resulting in higher water leakage and more expensive repairs.

Worn out supply hose

A supply hose is a flexible pipe connection between the water supply valve and the toilet fill valve, allowing for changes in height and position of the tank above or below the household water line. Worn out hoses will result in water leaking from the connection at nozzles or from joints that become loose with age and not tightened enough to prevent leakage through small gaps between pipes. Signs of a faulty hose can include an increased amount of dripping, evidence of staining around the nozzle, discoloration on the rubber seal and even mould buildup on fixtures when it has been installed incorrectly. It is important to check these hoses regularly as they are prone to wear and tear over time due to constant exposure to running water.

Damaged wax ring

A damaged wax ring can cause a toilet to leak, leading to possible water damage and other serious issues in the home. Wax rings are most commonly used on toilets when they are being installed due to their strong adhesive properties and ability to form a long-lasting seal. However, over time, wax rings may become brittle and could break, leading to leaks. Additionally, common plumbing issues like shifting of soil or relocation of the toilet may have an effect on the wax ring and its capacity to remain intact. If a wax ring becomes damaged by any means, it will be necessary to have an Adelaide plumber replace it in order for it to create an effective seal and prevent water from leaking out onto the surrounding area.

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I had issues with my toilet drain blocking up at my place of business, Royal Flush came out and saved the day on a Sunday morning before an event I had planned Later on in the evening. I had a chat to Matt about renovating the toilet and adding on an additional toilet and a new shower/bathroom and to my amazement he made this happen and I couldn’t be happier. Royal Flush, nit only provided the plumbing removal and install of this little project….
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