Leaks in the bathroom are serious problems. You don’t want plumbing leaks to occur anywhere in your home, but the concentration of plumbing and fixtures in bathrooms makes leaks there highly urgent. You also don’t want to lose the use of those important fixtures for too long.
If your toilet is leaking from the base, it’s something you want stopped and repaired as soon as possible. There are extra dangers coming from a toilet that appears to be leaking from the bottom aside from the water waste and inconvenience!
These leaks can be health hazards and sources of extreme water damage
If your toilet is leaking from the bottom, wastewater that is filled with bacteria is able to infiltrate your bathroom. You absolutely do not want this seeping onto the floor. The potential for water damage from leaks around the base is also high. Water damage to the flooring is difficult to remediate, and it will weaken the support and might even lead to a collapse if the problem isn’t addressed.
Why you’re seeing the leaks
A toilet can leak from different locations, and if you see water around the base it doesn’t necessarily mean the problem is coming from the base. However…
A decayed wax ring is a common cause of toilet leaks around the base. That wax ring seals the toilet and the drain onto the floor and provides a barrier against the escape of water. This wax may shrivel and decay over time, leading to leaking from the base. Fortunately, new wax rings are inexpensive. However, to put the ring in place, the toilet must be detached from the floor and lifted up. You don’t want to do this yourself—call for a professional plumber to do the job.
If you notice the toilet in your home leaking from the bottom base, this may be caused by a damaged feed line. The feed line is the plastic tube that comes from the wall and attaches to the toilet tank. Water can seep from around the shut-off valve to the base.
The toilet in your bathroom may be leaking from the base due to cracks in the porcelain. If cracks along the bowl are large enough to allow for the water to begin to leak, the toilet is in serious trouble. In most cases, you’ll need to have the entire toilet replaced.
Leaks between the tank and the bowl are a frequent cause of leaking. If the gaskets between the tank and bowl are loose or damaged, water will seep from the tank to the floor. You may notice the toilet running when it shouldn’t because water keeps leaving the tank. Have a plumber take care of this right away.
Don’t take chances with bathroom plumbing!
Unless you can find a basic solution to a problem with your bathroom plumbing, please don’t attempt to fix anything with a DIY attempt. The bathroom is too important and the fixtures are too numerous for you to take chances or delay on getting help.
Our team of plumbers offers plumbing services in areas of Pennsylvania such as West Chester, Broomall, Coatesville, and Conshohocken. From water heater repair, water line installation, to sewer line repair, our team is able to accommodate your plumbing issue.
you need to solve any bathroom plumbing trouble is here at Wm. Henderson!
Schedule plumbing repairs and more with a call to Wm. Henderson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. We serve Delaware County & The Main Line, PA.