A common plumbing issue often encountered by homeowners is a leaking toilet. When such a problem does occur, it can bring nothing but inconvenience and irritation while also possibly causing extensive costly damage if left unaddressed. But how exactly does one know if they do have a silent toilet leak? And is it possible to detect one before any serious damage is done? Fortunately for homeowners, there are plenty of tests that can be done to verify if they do have a toilet leak.  

The Consequences of a Toilet Leak

A silent toilet leak can be impactful and costly for homeowners for many reasons. Not only are toilet leaks a burden to a homeowner’s wallet, but they are also detrimental to the environment. A toilet leak is one of the most wasteful types of leaks and is why so many gallons of water are wasted yearly by households. With increased waste also means higher usage of water for homeowners. Toilet leaks can be quite expensive to deal with because of the impact they contribute to your monthly water bill. Leaks can add up to hundreds of dollars to your water bill, which can accrue over time into a costly sum. That’s why it’s so necessary to identify a silent toilet leak and address it as soon as possible.

Dye Test

A simple dye test can help you determine if you have a silent toilet leak. With this approach, homeowners need to purchase a dye test and place a colored tablet from the dye test into their toilet tank. After approximately ten minutes have elapsed, take a look at your toilet bowl to see if any color is in it. If there is color in the toilet bowl, that indicates there is a leak, which creates the need for professional toilet repair.

Water Leak Sensor

A water leak sensor is an inexpensive tool useful for detecting silent toilet leaks. With the use of a water leak sensor, homeowners can be informed when their toilet suffers leakage. When your toilet is operating as it should, the sensor will show a green light. However, if your toilet is leaking, the sensor will flash a red light and blare out a beeping sound to alert you.

Use a Pencil

If you suspect that you do have a leaking toilet, but are unsure of where the source is located, a simple way to detect this is with a pencil. Use your pencil to draw a line at the highest level of the water in your toilet tank. Then turn off your water supply for about 30 minutes. If the water level is below the marking you’ve made, that means the flush valve is responsible for the toilet leak. If the level has stayed the same, this points to the refill valve as the one to blame.

Detecting a Fill Valve Leak

Although any toilet leak can be difficult to detect, those involving your fill valve can be particularly tricky to spot. Detecting a fill valve leak starts with removing the toilet tank’s covering and checking your overflow tube. If the water is flowing in the overflow tube, that means there’s a leak involving the fill valve. Your next step should be to contact a plumbing company to address the issue. 

Leave plumbing issues like toilet leaks in the hands of professionals such as ProFlo who can provide a long-lasting and reliable solution for your problems. ProFlo has worked with countless Murrieta, Temecula, and Canyon Lake residents to provide excellent plumbing services that are of the highest quality and dependability. Our experienced team can assist you with all of your residential and commercial plumbing needs. To see just how reliable our services can be, call us today at (951) 327-7688 to schedule an appointment or to request a free estimate.