How to Repair a Leaking Toilet | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains what may be causing a leaky toilet and possible solutions. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)

Shopping List for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet :

Tools for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet:

Steps for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet :
1. To diagnose a leak, check out a few places on the toilet.
2. First check out the water supply line. It’s possible there could be a loose nut or a leak on the supply hose.
3. Next check the line between the tank and the bowl. Bolts may be loose, causing the leak to appear just below the tank.
4. If the leak is most prominent on the floor around the toilet (or on the ceiling below), check the wax ring seal between the toilet and the flange.
5. If the height of the flange is too low, you may have to get a higher wax ring to compensate.
6. Alternatives to the wax ring are a foam seal or a plastic seal.
7. Other options for raising the flange: Adding flange spacers or adding a flange insert.

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How to Repair a Leaking Toilet | Ask This Old House

[UncommonNews]

Probably the most informative 3 minute video I have seen on this subject. Thanks!

[Huertas]

Thank you, thank you, thank you . . . short, to the point, extremely useful information, and very practical. I followed these steps and now my wife think that "I am a genius". Great advise!

[petermcgill]

That was really good instructive video. Clearly showed problems and solutions in a concise, efficient way. I think a lot of other YouTubers could learn from how well this man showed us things.

[EnligUlv]

Excellent visuals with the cutaway and various adaptors.

[NickSlauson]

Here I am watching this as someone who just replaced my wax ring, but I thought the flange MAY have been a little low. Luckily i didn’t caulk the base and had a couple flushes…. Still leaks! Looks like I am pulling again and building that flange up!!

[ricko]

I learned a lot from this video. Thanks for your knowledge. I was finally able to properly install a wax ring because the previous homeowner redid the floor and the flange was too LOL.

[kevinmason]

Good video. Short and to the point. Hit the highlights. 30 minutes later my problem solved.

[austinmraske]

Only one to beat this instruction is a new hit show called, "Tool Time".

[JohnSmith-tdhd]

My toilet rocked (not in the good way) since I was little, before my mom got the whole toilet replaced for some reason (probably a salesman). Thanks for letting me know how bad that is and to do something about it! Also, my toilet is leaking, so you've armed me with more info on that too :)

[Radar]

Comprehensive, organized, concise ! what more could we ask for ?

[pavelkolomiyets]

My barely rocking toilet was putting enough stress on the tee the water line was connected to to cause it to fail and flood the bathroom. Thankfully it was a final sit down that did it and I was able to sprint to the shutoff valve before much damage was done. Don't let em rock, especially if you have pvc supply lines in your walls.

[fanyinU]

Thanks for posting this kind of useful tutorials. Now i can fix the leaking toilet by myself.

[cronos]

Good lord why didnt I see this channel before??? Thank you soo much

[lhimelligot]

This video saved me a lot of time and money. Thank you!

[YouzTube]

00:17
We had "a little drip from right here" that we didn't notice. Well, until stains showed up on the ceiling below. Led to an insurance claim of thousands of dollars and our house disrupted for days. All because of a failed $5 inlet valve.

[J_bui]

Great presentation & visuals! Really wish they went over these things in school at some point but alas they don't. Real world practical and useful knowledge. Do you recommend the new rubber style seals now for DIY homeowners?

[Jojo_Bee]

I believe I read it somewhere that wax rings are still the best because they resist mold and bacteria more...

[nieves]

After watching a few videos this one was the best

[maxga]

Thank you guys for sharing this video. I learn a lot.

[charleshettrick]

Code states flange should be above the floor. After much testing, flange extenders & a traditional wax ring works best long term. Non-wax ring products do not work as well as well & some never work