Ten Easy Steps to Fixing a Leaking Toilet Tank

I would like to start this article with telling you about my expertise in this particular area. My husband and myself of all of our own home repairs and renovations ourselves, unless we have determined that we cannot fix the problem at hand. We have done everything from re-finishing hardwood floors, installing new kitchen cabinets, and remodel bathrooms including replacing the toilet ect.

A leaking toilet can cause troublesome problems that can lead to other more sever issues if not taken care of in a timely fashion. Sometimes the toilet may appear to be leaking by producing water beads on the outside of the tank, this is most likely built up condensation and is not a true leak. In my experience a toilet tank can only leak from a few places. One being the shut-off valve, two is at the wall on the bottom of the tank where the water line comes from and the last and easiest to fix problem comes from under the tank where it connects to the toilet, The last of the three trouble areas is the most common leak on the tank of the toilet.

You will first want to completely dry the toilet and all the components, like the shut-off valve and the under side of the tank. This procedure will allow you to identify where the leak is actually coming from. After you discover where the leak is you will want to make sure you have all the correct tools and hardware parts to perform the repairs.

Tools and hardware that may be needed:

• Adjustable wrench
• Socket wrench
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Washers
• Spud wrench
• Gaskets
• Beveled cone shaped washer

Keep in mind it is good to have all the above tools and hardware on hand even if you will not require the use of them all, it is always better to be prepared for anything.

Ten Steps to Fixing a Leaking Toilet Tank:

Step one: This being the first and most important, turn off the water supply.

Step two: Drain the toilet tank of all its water by flushing it.

Step three: using the flat-head screwdriver, steady the bolt and tighten the nuts on the underside of the tank, using the adjustable wrench. If you notice that this has fixed your leak, then you are finished. Most leaks are not that easy, if this does not fix the problem follow the next few steps.

Step four: You will want to remove the nuts with the adjustable wrench and flat-head screwdriver so you can change the washer.

Step five: Remove the nut that mounts the fill valve at the tank and take out the fill valve.

Step six: Clean the washer and gasket or replace them if necessary. In my opinion I would go ahead and replace these parts even if they appear to be good.

Step seven: You will want to hold the valve in a vertical position and insert it in the center of the hole.

Step eight: Replace the mounting nut and tighten it, do not over tighten this nut or you will cause the tank to crack at this point.

Step nine: Now you will reconnect the water supply tube

Step ten: Time to turn the water supply back on and check your work.

Replacing these components usually will take care of most leaks in your toilet tank, if your tank is still leaking you may have a hair line fracture in it and the tank itself will need to be replaced.

References for this article came form toiletology.com and homerepair.about.com