When the Base of a Toilet Starts Leaking: A Guide to What To Do

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the water restoration professionals for water damage caused by a leaky toilet.

A small leak at the base of a toilet can result in thousands of dollars worth of damages.

Every homeowner knows that many problems can arise when owning a home and a toilet leaking is one of them. Unfortunately, toilets sometimes leak from the base; it's important to know what to do in case this happens so you can get your toilet up and running and avoid unwanted water damage. 

The following blog post is intended for those currently finding a leak at the base of a toilet. 

Why does a toilet leak at the base? 

There are four major causes for a leak at the base of a toilet:

1. A damaged toilet seal
2. A clog 
3. Loose T-Blots 
4. A crack 

A leaky toilet seal

The most common reason why there is a leak at the base of the toilet is due to a leaky toilet seal. Toilet seals are made of wax and rubber, which will wear out over time. 

A toilet clog

Another major cause of a toilet leak is when there is a clog in the toilet piping. Toilets consist of pipes that run into the floor in order for the contents to go down properly - these pipes may become blocked by limescale or other contaminants, causing a leak at the base of a toilet.

Loose T-blots

The purpose of t-bolts is to connect the toilet to the floor. When the t-bolts become loose, water will leak out from the bottom of the bowl. If loose t-bolts are the cause of your toilet leak, you can use a wrench to tighten the bolts.

A cracked toilet bowl 

A crack in the toilet bowl will also result in a water leak at the base of the toilet. Therefore, when you find a crack in the toilet, it is clear that it is time to purchase a new toilet bowl. 

Avoiding toilet leak water damages

The best thing to do is stop using the toilet and turn off the water supply valve located under or near the toilet bowl at the first sign of a toilet leak. The water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO of North Fulton have responded to many small toilet leaks that appear to have been left to sit for months. Unfortunately, the damages resulted in rotting subflooring and mold growth throughout the bathroom. 

Most water damages caused by a leak at the base of a toilet are categorized as category three water damage. Category three water damage is the most severe type of water damage because the water is contaminated with pathogens and bacteria. When water damage professionals arrive at a category three water damage, they will show up in full PPE to avoid direct contact with the highly contaminated water. In addition, all contents that have been affected by category three water will need to be properly discarded. 

Who to call to fix a leaky toilet 

A leaky toilet needs to be fixed by a professional plumber. Toilet leaks can be very serious and may lead to a significant rise in water bills and cause water damage to your home. Therefore, you must call for help if you have noticed any signs of leakage at the base of your toilet.

Who to call for water damage restoration

You can count on the help of SERVPRO of North Fulton when you find yourself in a situation where there is water puddling at the base of the toilet. The professionals at SERVPRO offer water extraction services and have experience handling any type of water damage situation. When you contact SERVPRO, an IICRC certified professional will quickly locate the cause of the loss and determine the severity of the water damage. 

Contact us today!