Despite being one of the most commonly used and essential items in every household, we often ignore paying attention to toilets and cisterns. When problems such as leaks arise, they become a major concern. Knowing about how to fix a leaking toilet cistern will help you deal with the problem effectively.
Toilets are generally made of several components including the bowl and the cistern. The cistern is usually located on the upper portion of the set-up and holds the water used for flushing.
A leaking toilet is not a small issue and can cause headaches if you ignore it. If you do not get it fixed, you leave yourself open to water damage, increased water bills, along with an unpleasant experience. In this blog, we will help you flush out the leaking toilet cistern problem and get it back in good working condition.
How to Know if Your Toilet Cistern Leaking?
It is important to recognise a leaking toilet cistern and address the issue quickly. Here are a few signs to tell if your toilet is leaking.
Unusual Sounds
It is normal to hear the sound of pressure building up in the pipes and water rushing when you flush the toilet. If this is happening when you are not using the toilet, it could mean that there is movement of water without the trigger of the flush.
Damp Toilet Floor
Bathrooms are generally wet but it can take only an hour or two of non-usage to dry the floors completely. If the floor around the toilet remains damp even when you have not used it for hours, it can only mean that there is a leak.
Water Stains
Water in the flush is just enough to clean the bowl, so it will not leave stains even if the water is not that clean. The stain will develop in the bowl when water is dripping longer than normal, which happens when there is a leak.
Rusted Metal Parts
Toilets are mostly made of ceramics but they do have some parts made of metal. While the metal can tolerate moist conditions, prolonged exposure to water will corrode them. If you see rust forming on top of the metals then they have been exposed to water for longer than they can tolerate. That can happen due to a leak.
Sewage Smell
If you pay attention, water is not the only fluid that can leak out of your toilet. The sewage from the septic pipe and tank can lead out as well, and it stinks. Do not ignore this kind of leak as they can cause health hazards.
Easy DIY Steps to Fix a Leaking Toilet Cistern
Here are the steps on how to fix a leaking toilet cistern:
Turn off the water supply
Before you do anything with the plumbing, make sure you turn off the water supply. Begin with the shut-off valve at the base of the toilet and follow it up with the main water supply.
Remove the lid of the tank
The tank lid might be fragile or heavy, be cautious while removing it.
Turn-off outlet valve
Find the outlet valve, which will be in the middle of the cistern as you look downwards and turn it off.
Water level inspection
If the leak is very bad, you will already see the water level declining. However, if you find the water level to be very high, you might have a problem with the float assembly or fill valve.
Leak tests
You can easily test for leaks by adding a few drops of food colouring into the cistern water. Instead of flushing, just wait to see if there are any signs of colour seeping into the bowl.
Float assembly and fill valve checks
You need to look for any visible damage, malfunctioning, or misaligned parts in the float assembly. Also, check whether the float is obstructed by anything or is moving freely.
Flapper valve test
Flapper valve is at the very bottom of the cistern which controls the water flow into the bowl. If it is leaking, you will notice signs of wear and tear as well as misalignment. This affects the watertight seal it needs to create.
Check flush valve seal
The flush valve is also at the bottom of the cistern; water will leak into the bowl if it is damaged or worn out.
Cistern connections check
You will see a lot of plumbing connections between the toilet bowl and the cistern. Visibly inspect for any damaged, loose, or cracked connections.
10. Turn the water supply on
Let the water back on allow the cistern to fill and then flush to see if the issue is fixed.
What Are the Common Causes of a Leaking Toilet Cistern?
Now that you know how to fix a leaking toilet cistern, let us learn about the most common causes of it:
Inlet/fill Valve
The fill valve controls the amount of water that enters from your supply line. A faulty inlet will result in water dripping onto the floor beneath the connection between the inlet valve and the cistern. It can cause a hissing sound or water to spurt out from the top of the cistern.
Outlet/flush Valve
The flush valve controls the release of water from the cistern into the bowl when the toilet is flushed. If this valve is damaged for any reason, it will cause a leaking toilet cistern.
Cracked Bowl/Cistern
If there is water leaking onto the ground, then you need to check the bowl for cracks. They can appear during the manufacturing process or simply over time due to wear and tear.
Poor Installation
A poorly installed toilet can leak in more ways than one. Leaks can be caused by the problem with the seal between the toilet and the sewer pipe. Consider inspecting the pan collar rubber for signs of damage and replacing it if necessary.
Blocked Toilet
A clogged or blocked toilet can also cause a leak. When the toilet pipe is clogged, pressure builds up, leading to water seeping out of the toilet base.
Tips for Maintaining a Leak-free Toilet Cistern
We have listed a few tips to help you avoid toilet cistern leaking:
- You can gently align the flapper to its place so that the toilet flushes properly.
- If you notice the flapper is covered in sediment, clean it carefully before placing it back.
- If the tank is falling short of water, adjust the float.
- Excessive pressure in the toilet system can create overflow. Adjust the valve till the flow moves down slightly.
- If you have a blocked drain, get it fixed to avoid cistern leaking.
- Replace old and worn-out seals by lifting the tank away from the bowl and applying a new seal to the system.
Need Emergency Toilet Repairs? Contact VCM plumbing Today!
You can contact our emergency plumbers in Melbourne at VCM Plumbing. As renowned professionals in toilet repairs, we can provide quick solutions. Call us on 0438 073 355 or email us at info@vcmplumbing.com.au to learn more.