Detecting Leaks

Ways to identify a leaky toilet

An undetected toilet leak can waste as much as five gallons of water per minute, which can cost up to $100 per month. Toilet leaks occur in two ways and are often very difficult to detect.

The most common toilet leak, and often the hardest to detect, is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper valve does not seat properly and form a water tight seal, water will leak around it into the toilet bowl. Often, this leak will occur without being heard.

toilet

Solutions to fix flush valve leaks:

  1. Remove the lid from the tank.
  2. Flush the toilet.
  3. Wait until the tank and bowl have refilled completely and the water has stopped.
  4. If the water will not stop then there is no need to proceed with the test -- you have a leak and the flush valve needs to be replaced.
  5. For slower, more difficult to detect leaks, add one toilet leak detection tablet (these tablets are available at Utilities) or a few drops of food coloring can be used in place of the dye tablet.
  6. Wait several minutes for the tablet to dissolve or the food coloring to completely color the water in the tank.
  7. If any of the colored water from the tank finds its way into the bowl, the flush valve is not sealing properly and needs to be replaced.
  8. If no leaks are detected, simply replace the tank lid.
  9. If a leak is detected, you must determine what type of flush valve you have and replace it.
  10. There are several different styles of valves, know what you have before going to the home improvement center.