leaky toliet

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O.K. I am no plumber, but, the toliet has been leaking in the bath for about a month now. My dad is in denial, so I believe it is up to me. I think it is leaking from the tank itself. There is a seal somewhere, can I caulk around it?If it is actually leaking from the tank, can I cauld where it is leaking? Do I need a special kind of caulking?Can this be done. I have no money for a new toliet now, so I either find a way to fix or put a pan to catch the drip.Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!-God Bless

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), December 17, 2001

Answers

First you have to find where the leak is comming from, it will be in one of four places. 1. the supply line that enters the tank and/or the shut off valve in that supply line. 2. the rubber gasket between the tank and the bowl. 3. under the base of the bowl. 4. from a crack in the bowl.

1. tighten the nut a bit gently, about 1/8 of a turn after resistance, clockwise. 2.shut off the supply, flush, mop out any remaining water in the tank, disconnect supply line and two bolts to seperate the tank from the bowl, find the gasket and take it to get a new one, reassemble. 3. as above and then unbolt the bowl from the floor, you will find a wax gasket that needs to be replaced after all the old gasket is removed from both contact points. 4. Go get a new one.

It is usually number one, if in the past someone has tightened it too much the soft sealing part can be cut be from too much pressure. Whatever part you find defective take with you to the supply house to get the right replacement. There is also a gasket where the threaded part goes through the tank that might need attention or replacement.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 17, 2001.


Thanks Mitch! I followed your directions and found it to be a small rubber-band type thing that goes around one of the bolts that holds the tank to the bottom.I took it with me and got a new one. It hasn't leaked yet!!!You saved me a plumbers house call for a .59cent part! Thanks again and God Bless!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), December 17, 2001.

One pink monkey wrench for Micheale! The truth is that allmost any household repair is a pennies priced part installed by a high dollar service person. In plumbing it is rubber gaskets, in appliances it is the switches or belts, in electronics it usually requires a skilled person. In electricity, do not procede without a knowledgeable persons guidance - you can procede once you know what you are doing, but not before. Remember touching a 9 volt battery to your tongue when you were a kid? Now imagine touching a 110 volt system. Electrical shock can be very unplesant, especially if you working on 220 volt items such as electric stoves, dryers, heating and cooling units, water heaters, ect.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 18, 2001.

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