4 Causes of a Leaky Toilet
A leaky toilet is a fairly common problem, and it’s really more annoying than dangerous — although like all household issues with freestanding water, if it’s not dealt with quickly, you risk bigger problems.
Water damage from a leaky toilet can put you back thousands of dollars, and nothing is more important than your family’s health. If your toilet is leaking, it’s important to diagnose and repair the problem right away.
Here are a few common causes of a leaky toilet:
1. Toilet “Sweating”
Just as a cold glass of water will “sweat” when it comes into contact with hot, humid air, your toilet can produce condensation under the same conditions. If you and your family love to turn the bathroom into a veritable steam room whenever you take a shower, you may be creating a sauna that’s making your toilet bowl sweat.
Luckily, this problem can be remedied by adjusting the water temperature when bathing and making sure to run your bathroom fan when hot water is running. You can also install an anti-sweat valve — a device that adds warm water to the toilet bowl to prevent condensation.
2. Old Wax Ring
The wax ring seals your toilet to the floor and prevents dirty water from seeping out. Over time, it can disintegrate or loosen, which can lead to leaks from the base of your toilet. Installing a new wax ring can be complicated, so it’s best to contact an experienced plumber if you need to replace your wax ring.
3. Rusted Pipes
Sometimes, a leak that appears to be coming from your toilet is actually due to damage to the connecting pipes. Pipes can begin to rust for any number of reasons over time and will eventually lead to cracks in your pipes, which can allow water to leak around your toilet.
4. Loose T-Bolts
Toilet bolts, also known as t-bolts, anchor your toilet to your bathroom floor. These are usually covered with plastic caps for protection, however, they can loosen over time. If your toilet is wobbly and you suspect your bolts are loose, remove the plastic caps and tighten the bolts. Just be careful not to overtighten the bolts, which can crack the porcelain toilet base.
What plumbing services does CroppMetcalfe offer?
In addition to repairing leaky toilets, CroppMetcalfe offers a variety of solutions and services to meet any plumbing need. If you’re having trouble unclogging your shower drain or need to install a new water filtration system, call the plumbing experts at CroppMetcalfe.
CroppMetcalfe’s plumbing services include:
Does CroppMetCalfe offer emergency plumbing services?
When it comes to plumbing emergencies, the sooner you get help, the better. Unlike a loud HVAC unit or a dead electrical outlet, plumbing problems can have very immediate and stress-inducing consequences.
Read more: What is considered a plumbing emergency?
CroppMetcalfe offers emergency plumbing services to homeowners across the DMV. Our 5-Star Technicians have handled every plumbing emergency imaginable, so you can trust your home is in good hands.
CroppMetcalfe Plumbing Service Plans
CroppMetcalfe’s Plumbing Service Agreements grant homeowners peace of mind knowing they’ll be taken care of should a plumbing issue ever arise. All residential homeowners may be eligible for coverage under our plumbing Preferred Service Plan. Benefits include:
- Priority Emergency Service. CroppMetcalfe Services our Preferred Service Plan customers first, so you can be sure your issues are resolved promptly.
- Annual Planned Maintenance Inspection. Our Preferred Service Plans include an annual maintenance inspection. Our plumbers will advise you of any needed repairs plus make recommendations to ensure your plumbing system is operating properly.
- 10% Discount on Repairs
- 50% Discount on Diagnostics
Call to speak with one of our plumbing experts or contact us online to schedule plumbing service.
What areas does CroppMetcalfe provide plumbing services?
CroppMetcalfe provides plumbing services to the entire D.C. metro area including: