8 Tips for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank

Your toilet is constantly running, or you hear the slow drip of water from the toilet tank. You can see money going down the drain as your water bill grows. I've put a stop to many leaking toilet tanks over the years. Here are tips for fixing your leaking toilet tank.

Tip #1 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

Wipe off any water on or around the toilet and flush. Wait for approximately five minutes, then look for beads of water on the toilet tank or bowl. Condensation on the tank or bowl means the bathroom may be too hot, much like a can of soda "sweats." The good news is there's no leak.

Tip #2 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

A leak can occur around the flush valve, which is the rubber flapper that is pulled up when you flush the toilet. Test for a leak by putting a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. Watch for the colored water to appear in the toilet bowl. The flush valve may need to be cleaned or the flapper replaced.

Tip #3 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

Put the toilet seat down and look around the base of the tank. Leaks can be caused by the gasket getting old or bolts becoming loose. Feel around the for water. If water is present, tighten the bolts slowly. Dry the area, wait a minute, and feel for water again. If water is still leaking, you'll need to replace the toilet tank gasket.

Tip #4 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

The lines that carry water to the toilet tank may spring a leak. Check the lines going into the toilet tank using your fingers to feel for water. Use a pair of pliers to gently tighten the nuts connecting the water line to the toilet tank. Nuts that are tight may be caused by a cracked tank which will need to be replaced.

Tip #5 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

Look at the water level in the toilet tank. A high water level causing water to flow into the overflow tube may be due to a problem with the ballcock and rod assembly. A quick fix is to adjust the screw, which is found at the end of the rod opposite the ball. Slowly turn the screw a quarter turn clockwise until the water level goes down.

Tip #6 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

The chain attaching the flapper to the toilet handle may be too tight. This keeps the flapper up allowing water to leak out of the toilet tank. Adjust the chain so there's some slack in it. Adjust it one link at a time, flushing after each adjustment. If there's too much slack, it won't lift the flapper up.

Tip #7 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

A small rubber tube hangs down into the fill tube near the base of the ballcock and rod assembly. This tube may come out or come loose squirting water over the tube. Make sure it's clipped into place and pointed down into the tube.

Tip #8 for Fixing Your Leaking Toilet Tank:

Once you've identified the reason for the leak, you'll need supplies to fix it. Go to your local hardware store for gaskets, sealant and toilet repair kits, depending on what you may need to fix the leak.