Being able to have plumbing repairs done in time relies heavily on you being able to spot problems in the first place. Most of the time, this isn’t a big deal, since plumbing issues typically have obvious signs. For instance, you can hear dripping water coming from a leaking faucet, or you’ll see that water isn’t draining as quickly as it used to from a tub or sink, signalling a clog.
So what happens if you’re dealing with a problem that has barely any signs, such as a silently leaking toilet? The good news is that a leaky toilet is one of the most common plumbing problems that homeowners in Sydney face. Because of that, there’s a lot of advice available on determining whether or not you have a leak. That said, here’s how to check.
Test the handle or button
Whether your toilet uses a handle or a button to start flushing, you’ll want to look out for the same signs. That is, having to jiggle it to get the toilet to stop running, or holding it down in order for the tank to empty properly. If you notice that you’ve started having to do either one, it’s highly likely that there’s a leak in the tank that’s subsequently causing the toilet to stop flushing properly.
Try the food colouring test
A food colouring test is used most often when trying to see whether or not a toilet is leaking because it’s hard to make a mistake when carrying it out. All you have to do is take some food colouring and add a few drops to the toilet’s tank, then leave it alone for about an hour. Afterward, check the toilet bowl. If there’s traces of food colouring, then that means you have a leak somewhere in the tank.
Keep an eye on the bottom of the toilet
The area where the stem of the toilet meets the floor is usually sealed, and that’s usually enough to keep water where it’s supposed to be. However, the seal can break or become worn out, and that increases the risk of a leak. The water tends to seep out from between the toilet and the floor, though, so you won’t hear or see any dripping.
If you suspect your toilet is leaking, check the floor and see if there’s a puddle of water where there shouldn’t be one. pect your toilet is leaking, try checking the floor first and see if there’s a puddle anywhere near the seal or around the toilet where there shouldn’t be one. If there is, then you do have a leak, and it’s somewhere near the bottom and not elsewhere in that fixture.
Final Word
If you’re dealing with a toilet leak that isn’t silent, you could hear sounds coming from the toilet when no one’s using it, or hear it flushing on its own, also known as ghost flushing. But if the leak is virtually silent, use the steps above to see if there is a leak or not. Otherwise, you’ll be spending money by calling for toilet repair Sydney services when you don’t need to, or else paying more for your water bill because of an undetected leak.
