Easy Fix For The Most Common Toilet Water Leak

Understanding how a toilet works and the most common parts to fail can save you a TON of time and money. I will show you how to fix the most common water leak I have experienced at my own home and also my rental units.

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DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[DBR]

I love your videos. You speak in a clear concise manner, have a good camera, good sound, and you don’t have background music!!!!

[REXOB]

When I replace parts in a toilet, I write a note inside the tank, above the waterline, in pencil, with date and what was replaced. That gives me an idea of how long that part was in service, or if there are other parts I should consider replacing before they fail.

[josephalexis]

Thanks for the video. I changed my bolts and still had a leak. The instructions on the packet had me place a washer inside the tank between the bolt head and gasket. I still had a leak after that. I removed the washer and placed it like you showed and it worked like a charm.

[phillipdavis]

I recommend putting a towel splayed along the back of the toilet on the floor. This way, you can soak up any leaks and check the towel over the next couple of days to see if any water is leaking

[DarbyChristie]

We found a leak from our tank and panicked a little, but I found your video in hopes it was an easier fix than calling a plumber & it was! We do need to replace some parts/gaskets later but, thanks for your help!

[gibbonschip]

Thanks for this great video. I discovered a slow leak from under my tank and since it was just a couple of days after I had cleaned the toilet I thought there might be a connection. After learning about the bolt gaskets, I checked the bolts and one of them was wet. I tightened that bolt a little and now there's no leak. You made fixing the problem so quick and easy.

[RickMahoney]

Solid seal but way over time to be replaced. I was taught that when the black comes off and on to you hands it’s time to replace. You explained very well thanks.

[kcrutch]

I as a women I love your DIY videos I trust your explanations. You tell me the WHY of what not to do and why it's better to do it the way your explaining or you give me choices. You also go slow enough so I can see 👀 exactly what what your doing. Thank You !

[vilod]

I have 4 toilets in my house. They are always giving me trouble. They get used very hard and leaks are just some of the problems. Great video, as always. You have become a trusted source of DIY advice. Thanks.

[feuby]

I just want to thank you because this exactly happened today on my home. And let me tell you that the landlord is really a noob with this kind of stuff, so you helped him a lot.

(yes I'm home owner, why ? 🤣)

[tabodee]

Thanks so much for the great video! Probably saved me $350 on a plumber. Mine was in pretty rough shape… over 30 years old. The wing nuts were actually so corroded they snapped off in my fingers. Thankfully I was able to get the rest of the nut off. (This was the most difficult part for me.)
I followed your tip about not using the washer & nut under the top tank part… That should make easier to change out the next time.
Your video made the job much easier! Thanks again!

[danjoe]

Your videos are always thorough and clearly explained. I would not use steel bolts in a toilet tank, brass only.

[rickgroshong]

I used the tips in this video to fix my toilet last weekend. Other than having severely corroded tank bolts, it went just as shown. Thank you!

[pbsnyderman]

why don’t you prefer to put the “in between” nut between the bowl / seat and the tank? thanks - GREAT video

[bmaddog]

Great advice! Just replaced my entire toilet down in my basement due to its size not for a leak. The original one was like a 14 in from floor to a taller 16 in for the seat. The funny thing is whenever I’ve change a toilet, I forget to paint the wall behind it to match the current color. I noticed that in this video also. Thanks for the video

[DanielinLaTuna]

“A one trip repair”… I recently had to replace the rubber seal on my bathroom washbasin. I hate to report it was a three trip, two day repair due to not buying ALL the right parts, doing the job on a Sunday, when the plumbing supply house was only open until noon. 😞

[larryseibold]

You have a higher tolerance for worn out rubber parts than i do. Theos babies are overdue. I am a firm believer in using a film of silicone grease on all surfaces of the rubber seals prior to assembly. I also usually put a light film on the SS/brass head & thread area and the porcelain spot where the bowl gasket contacts so that it doesn't grab. Not essential, but i feel that it adds to the ease of sealing and might add a bit of life to the seal in hard chlorinated water areas, which eat them alive.

[jagonzales]

Thank you for showing how to fix a leaking toiled. Keep up the good work.

[G-DOGBONEY]

Thank you for video...you did a great job. This same problem is what I had 3 times on same toilet. New parts etc...but I finally got it to stop leaking.

[Skyebooo]

Great video and I have a question: Why put the gasket underneath the bowl? I would think gasket on either side of the tank hole would be a double protection against leakage.