How to Detect a Leaky Toilet

Leaking toilets are the number one source of wasted water in the home.  A leaky toilet tank wastes between 300 gallons (slow leak) and 60,000 gallons (running toilet) per month.  To detect a slow leak, put 10-15 drops of food coloring or a dye tablet in the toilet tank and wait 30 minutes without flushing.  If the water in the bowl turns color, your toilet tank is leaking. Replace the parts inside your toilet tank.  Repair kits are inexpensive and are available at most hardware and home improvement stores.  To safeguard against this problem, it is highly recommended that you perform this test at least twice a year.  Catching a toilet leak at its earliest stage can save a lot of water from being wasted as well as money on your water bill each month.

Flapper Valve Leaks

The most common reason for a leaking toilet is one that has an improperly working or sealing flapper.  The flapper is the rubber valve in the bottom of the tank that lifts up when the toilet is flushed.  If the flapper is worn or cracked, it allows water to continuously flow from the tank into the toilet bowl without flushing.

Flush Handle Problems   If the handle needs to be jiggled to keep the toilet from running, the flush level bar and chain (or the handle itself) may be sticking.  Adjust the nut that secures it in the toilet tank.  If that does not work, the handle may have to be replaced.

Overflow Tube Leaks

Ideally the water level should be set so that it is about even with the fill line on the back of the toilet tank (approximately ½ inch below the overflow tube).  If the water is too high in the toilet tank and is spilling into the overflow tube, the water level can be adjusted by turning the adjustment screw or by very gently bending the float arm down so that the water shuts off at a level below the overflow tube.