Hiring Contractors For Home Improvements
3 Reasons Why Your Toilet Is Leaking at the Base
Tim Graham
A leaking toilet is one of the problems that can go unnoticed for weeks. Unlike a clog, which will be evident every time you flush, a leak will require a careful assessment. You may be assuming that the little water pooling at the base of your toilet is from the shower. However, leaks at the toilet base occur and should be handled immediately, as they contribute to water wastage in the home. Also, the excess moisture can encourage mould growth and discolouration at the base of the toilet. Below are three possible causes of leaks at the toilet base and what you can do to prevent them.
Condensation in the bathroom
What you think might be a leak could actually be condensation in the bathroom. If the room is not adequately ventilated, the use of hot showers and equipment, such as hair dryers, that generate heat can increase moisture levels in the bathroom. That's because the warm air lands on cold surfaces and gets cooled. As a result, small droplets form and start to drip down the surfaces. Look around other surfaces in the bathroom for signs of moisture to ascertain that you don't have a leak. Once you do, increase ventilation in your bathroom by opening the windows to let out the warm air.
Damaged wax ring
At the base of your toilet is a wax ring that holds the toilet to the floor. Besides holding down the toilet, this component also creates a seal that prevents water from leaking on the floor. If the wax ring is damaged, it will no longer offer adequate protection, and water will be able to leak through the toilet to the floor. Wax rings are inexpensive components, and you can replace it without breaking the bank. However, you have to lift the toilet and remove the old one, which is a process that can be quite complicated. It would be a good idea to hire a plumber for the repairs.
Broken bowl
Most toilet bowls are made from porcelain, which is a relatively hard material that can withstand impact. However, if something such as a vase or metal tissue holder falls on the bowl, it may cause a crack. Also, DIY bowl repairs that are done without proper care can lead to toilet bowl cracks. Even a hairline crack on the bowl is enough to cause leakage. The water will flow downward and pool at the base of the toilet. Luckily, toilet bowl cracks can be fixed with epoxy sealants.
Contact a leaking toilet plumber if you have a leak at the base of your toilet. Don't attempt DIY repairs, as you may cause more damage to the toilet fixtures.
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Hello! My name is Richard and this is my new blog. On this blog, I hope to pass on some useful information about how to work with contractors. I recently decided that I wanted to give my property a complete overhaul. I wanted to have a new roof installed, the interior remodelled and the driveway repaired. I asked around and I put together a great team of contractors who could all work together to get the job done. However, that isn't to say there wasn't the occasion challenge during such a big project. I learnt a lot from the experience and I am really pleased with the work that the contractors carried out.