A home’s toilet can seem like something we all take for granted. We know it’s there, and we know we can count on it when we need it. However, what do you do when your toilet starts to break down? One common sign of toilet failure is leakage, which may or may not need the assistance of a professional plumber. If your toilet is showing water at its base, there are many reasons why this may be happening. Here are four reasons that can shed some light on your leaky toilet’s issues.

Condensation

Whenever we see water coming out of our toilets’ bases, it immediately becomes a cause for concern. While your first instinct is to call your plumber and have the toilet leak sealed, it may not always be the best solution. If you live in an area with high humidity levels, the water coming from your toilet may just be condensation. To solve this mystery, wipe down your toilet’s base with a dry cloth. Afterward, flush the toilet; if your base stays dry, then condensation was the cause. If your base fills with water once again, you have a leak and should seek immediate professional assistance from your plumber.

Even when your toilet is showing signs of condensation, it is recommended to keep towels around your base to absorb any remaining moisture, as this could potentially damage your flooring.

Supply Line Hoses

The hoses attached to your toilet could be another culprit of your toilet leak mystery. These hoses connect to your supply line and require a secure connection from the wall to your toilet. Much like any other plumbing fixture, your water supply hoses can experience wear and tear over time, which could lead to loosened connections and subsequent leakage. If these hoses are not tightened properly, it could result in leakage. Before getting a plumber involved, try tightening the hoses’ connections gently. 

Loosened Toilet Bolts

Your toilet’s connection to your floor can play a pivotal role in figuring out where your leak is coming from. When a toilet gets loosened from its base, this increases the chances of leakage as there is now a gap between the toilet and the floor. To check for leakage under your toilet, look for two bolts on the base of the toilet. Remove the protective caps from each bolt and review the wax ring underneath your toilet for damage; a damaged wax ring could allow for water to leak through. After reviewing the damage, place the toilet back and gently tighten the bolts. 

It is best to avoid over-tightening the toilet’s bolts, as you run the risk of cracking or even shattering the toilet. You’re already trying to fix a toilet leak; the last thing you want is to add toilet replacement to your list of things to do.

Wax Rings

The wax ring is designed to create a water-tight seal between the toilet and the drain. A wax ring that is not working properly can cause pools of water to leak at your toilet’s base. In addition to leaks, a broken wax ring can emit a foul stench, indicating that the ring’s water-tight seal has been affected. To fix a broken wax ring, you will have to remove the toilet, replace the ring altogether, and place the toilet back on the base. Because this is a process that can take several hours to complete, replacing your wax ring is not something you will want to attempt to do yourself and is best left to professional plumbers. 

As you’ve just read, these four issues are not to be taken lightly and require professional assistance. If you’re experiencing problems with leaky toilets, look no further than the experts at ProFlo Plumbers. Our team of licensed, professional plumbers is dedicated to providing the Murrieta, Temecula, and Canyon Lake community with excellent toilet repair services, no matter how big or small the issue may be. For toilet issues that cannot wait until the next day, our 24/7 emergency plumbing services are the solution for you. To see how ProFlo Plumbers can help you, contact us today at (951) 327-7688 or visit us online.