Repairing a leaking toilet tank

 

Many problems occur in the bathroom, but one of the most common is a leaking toilet tank. The good news is that a simple solution is to adjust the toilet tank pipework to repair leaks in the tank. If you notice water leaking onto the floor or between the tank and bowl, you should try to fix the leak quickly. If you ignore the leaks, your water bills will become more expensive due to excessive water wastage and the water could damage your floor. 

Start by

Turn off the tap near the toilet tank and lay a large towel on the floor to dry the leaking water. If you cannot find the valve, you will need to turn off the main water supply.

Empty the tank and remove the water hose

Remove as much water as possible from the tank by flushing it out in the toilet. The tank will not refill when the water supply is switched off. Dry off the remaining water in the tank with a sponge or cloth. Remove the water hose from the side of the tank using pliers.

Change the seals

The toilet tank is held onto the bowl with a series of screws. Once you have pulled out the tank, carefully lay it on the towel that you placed on the floor beforehand. You will need to remove the old seals and replace them with new ones. Be sure to clean the surface of the tank before installing the new seals. This is the area that needs to be sealed by the gaskets. Apply some sealant around the gasket, then remove the excess sealant and insert the gasket.

Insert the washers and tighten the screws

Insert the rubber washers into the tank to securely seal the bolts. Make sure they are tight enough before inserting the nuts and washers into the tank.

Place the toilet tank back on the bowl

Place the tank back on the bowl and seal all screws with a washer and a nut. Check that the nuts are tight. Shake the tank gently and tighten the nuts more firmly if the tank moves. Do not overtighten the bolts as this can cause cracks in the tank.

Reconnect the water pipe

Once you have tightened the nuts and bolts, you can reconnect the water pipe. Remember to fill the tank slowly with water and check it for leaks. Open the water valve or turn the main water pipe back on and check for leaking water. You can also flush the toilet and check the area around the seal and bolts for leaks. 

If there are no leaks, you can turn the valve or main supply back on to fill the tank completely. If you cannot fix the leak yourself, it is advisable to call a professional to do the repair for you.

Call the Emergency Plumber in Cardiff. We are available around the clock. Contact us now, 02922550417.