Checking for Toilet Leaks
Toilets are often one of the biggest water users in your home and consequently often the biggest water wasters. Often
these leaks are silent and give only a few clues to being present. Malfunctioning toilets can lose 200 gallons a day without you even knowing about it.
Most toilet leaks occur inside the tank from either improperly adjusted floats or due to deteriorating or improperly fitting
flappers. The easiest and quickest way to check for toilet leaks is to place dye tablets in the toilet tank and wait 10
minutes before checking the bowl. Remember not to flush until after you’ve checked the bowl! In a pinch, you can substitute the dye tablets with a few drops of dark food coloring, powdered drink mix or soda to get the same result. If the dye leaks into the toilet bowl, then the flapper needs to be replaced. Make sure to replace the flapper with one designed for that specific model of toilet. Be careful to select the right flapper as some generic models may not fit your toilet properly and may end up leaking as much as or worse than the original flapper.
Here are a few more simple things that can clue you in and help you to discover and fix a leak in your toilet:
Check Your Bill
One of the first indicators of a leaky toilet is your water bill. Unexplained increases in usage, even if it only adds up to a
few dollars a month, could indicate water leaks in your home.
Ghost Flush
Another tell-tale sign of a leaky toilet is the “ghost flush”. This occurs when the toilet appears to fill even when the toilet
hasn’t been flushed and no one is around. This is caused when water leaks past a toilet flapper, from the tank to the bowl, the tank will slowly empty. When enough water has been displaced from the tank, the float in the toilet will reach a point and automatically refill the toilet in an endless loop. This is an indicator to inspect the toilet’s tank.
Check out the Toilet
One of the best ways to check for toilet leaks is to do a regular check of your toilet. This is a simple process that you can
work into your routine every three to four months. Begin by checking for water or corrosion on the water supply valve
and hose as well as on the floor and wall around the back of the toilet. Leaking hoses and valves can be replaced easily
with parts from your local hardware store. Also look for cracks and water seepage around the surface of the tank and
bowl. At a minimum this could indicate a leak but could also indicate a potentially catastrophic failure of the toilet. Also
repeat the dye test and inspect the water level inside the tank. If it is low, there may be a problem.
If at any point you notice water spilling into the overflow tube, adjust the float level screw until the water level stops
filling between 1” to ½” below the rim of the overflow tube.
Check the Meter
One final way to check for water waste and leakage on and in your property is to check your water meter regularly. To
inspect your meter, make sure there is no water being used in the home or property. Shut off faucets, hoses, ice makers, dishwashers and any other water using devices. Examine the dial on the meter. If the water flow indicator is spinning, then water is still flowing through your pipes.
Water leaks can be a costly problem and should never be left unresolved. In addition to the cost of the lost water, water
leaks can signify failing pipes and appliances, and could indicate damaged piping which can lead to severe flooding and
damage if left untreated.
Remember, saving water is everyone’s problem so share this information with your friends and family.
Learn more water conservation tips here.