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Is Your Toilet Cistern Leaking? Here’s How To Fix It! 

21 July

With the rapid increase in pollution, drinkable water is becoming scarce. Don’t you agree?

Over the years, a sharp increase in pollution has led to freshwater scarcity. Hence, wasting water is a big problem since water is scarce, and we depend on it. A leaking toilet cistern is a significant problem needing immediate addressing, not just your water bill. Wasting water is not an option anymore, but a leaking toilet cistern depends on various factors.

In Australia, one of the most common plumbing problems besides the new hot water system not functioning in winter or drainage problems is when you notice water leaking from your toilet cistern. Australia has a scorching climate throughout the year; hence, water is essential in the country, and thus, you need to fix a leaking toilet immediately.

However, it is hard to locate a leakage in the toilet bowl. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you check your toilet cisterns regularly. Locate the outlet valve, inlet valve, rubber seal, and other stuff and check them for problems. But you’re probably not familiar with such things, and with this in mind, we have curated this article on fixing toilet cistern leakage if you encounter one. So, let’s move to the next section without any further ado.

How To Identify A Water Leakage?

Person Pressing Flush Button On Top Of Toilet

One of the most common ways of identifying a bathroom leak is by checking the floor and seeing if it is slippery or moist all the time. A wet floor by your toilet cistern is a significant indication of a leaking toilet. Alternatively, if you notice your cistern is running without pause and water drains continuously, or it keeps the toilet flushing even if you don’t use it, there might be a leak in the plumbing systems.

Every toilet is built differently; however, every household’s plumbing system is similar. Therefore, you can quickly identify the causes by following our recommended steps. Also, most of these fixes don’t require professional experience in plumbing as long as you follow our guidelines perfectly.

Reasons That Might Cause Your Toilet To Leak And How To Fix Them

Modern Toilet In Corner Of Tiled Wall Bathroom

A. Check The Flapper

When you check a leaking toilet system, you might notice that the flapper is stuck open, causing the water to overflow into the bowl. One main reason is that the chain catches onto something in the tank, or the flapper is blocked by something. Additionally, it is possible that the flapper is not aligned with the opening, which results in an overflow.

Generally, it is recommended to gently align the flapper to its place so that the toilet flushes properly. If you notice that the flapper is covered in sediment, you should clean it carefully before placing it back. Also, you can replace the old and worn-out flappers for better results.

B. Regulate The Water Valve

If the water leaks, the problem might be with the valve regulating the water flow in the tank. Firstly, check the tank’s water levels and ensure they reach the required water line. Tanks that are falling short of water may need adjustment in the float.

On that note, the water valve should always be turned on so the tank receives the required water level to function normally.

C. Inspect And Adjust The Float Valve

The next step is to test the float valve and see if it is shutting correctly. We suggest lifting the float for that. If you see that the water stops running, you need to adjust the float’s level. Besides this, the washer of the inlet valve might require replacement.

Technically, excessive pressure in the toilet system can create an overflow problem that you can only resolve by adjusting the float valve. For this reason, we advise changing the valve till the flow moves down slightly. This allows the water to flow without any interference. Apart from this, some experts suggest turning the screw on top of the valve. It helps to regulate the flow of water.

However, this might not apply to all toilet models since every toilet is built differently. Moreover, if the problem persists, the leak might be from the outside rather than the inside. Over time, the leaks can damage the floor surface and damage your property.

D. Drainage System

As discussed earlier, the leak might be an external problem. For instance, one of the most common external leakage problems occurs in the drainage system. When the drain gets blocked, water overflows from the toilet, resulting in the cistern leaking.

In this context, we advise getting a professional plumber to fix the drain since the toilet must be removed. Repairing the drain by yourself may result in further damage, which would cost you more for the repairs later.

E. Fixing The Flush Pipe Seal

If you notice the leak is on a higher level, the flush pipe seal connecting the tank to the bowl is probably damaged. Old seals are usually prone to damage since the material degrades over time.

On that note, we recommend replacing the seal by lifting the tank away from the bowl and applying a new seal to the toilet system. If you feel uncomfortable, you can hire a professional to do the job.

Save Water And Call A Plumbing Expert Today!

With that, we have ended our extensive guide on toilet cistern leakage and how to fix it. As responsible human beings, we must always try to preserve nature by taking care of the available resources, and water is no exception. Enough water has been wasted.

One of the most effective ways of saving water is by ensuring that our plumbing systems are in top shape. Hence, you should always check your plumbing regularly and replace broken or old parts. Besides this, you can always find effective DIY plumbing solutions on YouTube.

If you’re faced with a more complicated emergency plumbing situation and you’ve tried everything, reach out to our plumbing experts and leave the work to us. Don’t ignore the signs you need a plumbing service—save water and yourself from further costly damage by contacting us!

That said, it’s a wrap. See you next time.