If you’ve ever had a leaky toilet, you know it’s not a fun experience. Not only is it inconvenient to have to deal with water everywhere, but it can also be expensive to repair. If you’re noticing that your tile floor is constantly wet, even after cleaning it up, there’s a good chance your toilet is the culprit. In this blog post, we’ll tell you how to tell if toilet is leaking under tile and how to fix it. Leaks can often be difficult to find and diagnose, so read on for some tips.
What Causes a Toilet to Leak Under Tile?
There are a few different things that can cause your toilet to leak under the tile, including:
A Cracked Toilet Bowl
If your toilet bowl is cracked, water is likely seeping out and onto the floor. This is usually easy to spot, as you’ll likely see water on the floor around the toilet. Cracked toilet bowls can be caused by various things, such as dropping something heavy on the toilet or simply having an old and worn-out bowl. In any case, it’s important to fix a cracked toilet bowl as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
A Leaky Toilet Base
If your toilet is leaking at the base, it’s probably because the wax ring that seals the connection between the toilet and the sewer pipe is damaged. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, usually caused by the toilet being installed incorrectly or by using a too-small wax ring.
A Leaky Toilet Tank:
If your toilet is leaking from the tank, it’s likely because the tank bolts are loose or the gasket that seals the tank to the bowl is damaged. Tank leaks are usually easy to spot, as you’ll see water on the floor around the toilet.
A Leaky Supply Line:
If your toilet leaks from the supply line, it’s likely because the O-ring that seals the connection between the water supply line and the fill valve is damaged. This is a common problem, and it’s usually caused by using an improper size O-ring or not tightening the connection enough.
A Leaky Flush Valve:
If your toilet leaks from the flush valve, it’s likely because the gasket that seals the connection between the flush valve and the toilet bowl is damaged. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, usually caused by the toilet being installed incorrectly or by using a too-small gasket.
Things You’ll Need
- Toilet plunger
- Toilet brush
- Old towel or rag
- Bucket
- Sponge
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
Some Effective Ways How to Tell if Toilet Is Leaking Under Tile
1. Check the Tile Around the Toilet
The first thing is how to tell if toilet is leaking under tile; you’ll want to look at the tile around the toilet. If you see any water on the floor, it’s a good indication that your toilet is leaking. To thoroughly check, use a toilet plunger to suction any water off the floor and then use a toilet brush to scrub the area clean. Once you’ve done this, take a look at the tile again. Again, if you see any watermarks or stains, it’s a good indication that your toilet is leaking.
2. Check the Ceiling
If your toilet is on an upper floor, look at the ceiling below the bathroom. If you see any water stains or leaks, it’s a good indication that your toilet is leaking. Use a flashlight to get a better view of the ceiling, and if you see any signs of leaks, call a plumber immediately.
3. Check the Walls
If your toilet is located against a wall, take a look at the wall for any water stains or leaks. For a thorough check, use a flashlight to look for any wet spots or water stains on the wall behind and around the toilet. If you see any, that’s a good indication that your toilet is leaking.
4. Inspect the Toilet Bowl
The most obvious sign of a toilet leak is water on the floor around the toilet. If you see any water, it’s a good idea to check the toilet bowl for leaks. To do this, flush the toilet and then put your hand over the top of the bowl. If you feel any water leaking out, that’s a good indication that your toilet is indeed leaking.
5. Check the Tank
Another way to check leaks is to remove the tank lid and flush the toilet. As the tank is filling back up, put your hand over the fill valve (the pipe that goes from the tank to the bowl). If you feel any water leaking out, that’s a good indication that your toilet is indeed leaking.
6. Check the Base of the Toilet
If your toilet leaks at the base, it’s likely because the wax ring that seals the connection between the toilet and the sewer pipe is damaged. To check for this, remove the toilet bowl and look at the wax ring. If it’s cracked or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Use a putty knife to remove any old wax from the toilet’s base, and then install a new wax ring.
7. Check the Toilet Seat
If your toilet is leaking around the seat, it’s likely because the rubber gasket that seals the connection between the seat and the bowl is damaged. To check for this, remove the seat and look at the gasket. If it’s cracked or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Use a putty knife to remove any old gasket from the seat, and then install a new one.
8. Check the Water Supply Line
If your toilet is leaking from the water supply line, it’s likely because the O-ring that seals the connection between the line and the fill valve is damaged. To check for this, remove the line from the fill valve and look at the O-ring. If it’s cracked or damaged, it needs to be replaced. Use a putty knife to remove any old O-ring from the line, and then install a new one.
9. Check the Flush Valve
If your tile floor is near the toilet, you might have a leaking flush valve. The flush valve is the large, round mechanism at the bottom of the tank that controls how much water enters the bowl when you flush. If this valve is damaged or not sealing properly, it can cause water to leak from the tank and onto your floor. To check for this, flush the toilet and then remove the tank lid. Once the water has stopped running, put your hand over the hole at the bottom of the tank. If you feel water leaking out, that’s a good indication that you have a damaged flush valve.
10. Check the Tank Bolts
If your toilet is leaking from the tank, it’s likely because one of the tank bolts is loose. These bolts are what secure the tank to the bowl, and if they’re loose, water can leak out. To check for this, remove the tank lid and flush the toilet. Once the water has stopped running, put your hand over the tank bolts (there are usually two of them). If you feel water leaking out, that’s a good indication that your tank bolts are loose.
11. Use Food Coloring to Check for Leaks:
If you’re still unsure whether your toilet is leaking, you can use food coloring to help you out. Simply add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait a few minutes. If you see color in the bowl, your toilet is leaking. On the other hand, if you don’t see any color, then your toilet is probably not leaking.
12. Use a Toilet Leak Detector:
If you want to ensure your toilet isn’t leaking, you can buy a toilet leak detector. These devices are designed to detect even the smallest leaks and can be a great way to give you peace of mind. If you’re unsure which leak detector to buy, you can ask a plumber for recommendations.
You Can Check It Out to Keep Garden Flag from Flipping
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaking Toilet?
The cost of fixing a leaking toilet depends on the cause of the leak. If it’s something minor, like a loose tank bolt, you can probably fix it yourself for free. However, if the leak comes from the wax ring or flush valve, you’ll likely need to hire a plumber to fix it. Plumbing repairs can be expensive, so be sure to get a few estimates before you hire someone. Normally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $300 for a plumber to fix a leaking toilet.
You Can Check it Out Plug a Toilet Drain
Conclusion
Water damage can be a serious issue, so it is important to know how to tell if toilet is leaking under tile. If you suspect a leak, call a professional right away for assistance. By catching and repairing the leak early on, you can save yourself time, money, and potential water damage in the future.
