The next two are the ones I show you on this post. I am trying to pull off the rubber gasket off the nut. Let me show you how to do it. For two reasons, sometimes when they are too tight, they leak (gasket could be damaged, or twisted), and also, because you do not want to break the toilet or the bowl. Using the same wrench or channel lock pliers, remove the nuts that hold the toilet tank in place. Here is a higher-end option, but I’m not sure it works better just because it has a higher price. I can see where it is coming from. It seems like you have been having a hard time dealing with the issue if you are considering foam to fix it. Leaking Toilet Tank Problems. Before you start, make sure you have all the parts and tools you need to complete the repair, which are not many, then proceed with step 1. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Leaking toilet tanks can easily be repaired simply by changing the rubber gaskets that are around the tank bolts as well the spud washer, which can fail due to hard water as well as minerals. Well written and perfectly clear introduction and solution, with several helpful hints along the way. Install the new bolts, nuts, and washers. The unnecessary water usage and soaked floors will drive your water bill through the roof and drive you up a wall. In my opinion, this double gasket set up should work better than a single gasket one. NO MORE LEAKS! Add a new metal washer to secure the tank to the toilet bowl housing. If you find the toilet leaking from tank to bowl (specifically around the tank bolts), then replace the wax ring toilet gasket. If the toilet is leaking way more when you flush it, that is the sign of bowl gasket malfunction. After the toilet tank fills completely, flush and inspect around the base of the toilet to make sure the wax ring is properly sealed and that there is no leaking. Tank Bolts are proven durable, and the 5/16” size x 2 ¾” length will fit most brands and models. I can't afford a plumber right now, but would like to stop using bucket-fulls of water to flush. I say this because sometimes they leak when they are too tight. (back of the toilet bowl facing the front of the toilet). Turn on the water shutoff valve to let water into the tank. Toilet tank bolts have metal and rubber washers. When I reconnected everything there was leaking from the sides of the toilet. They should not be really tight as it is recommended to just hand-tight them to avoid breaking the porcelain tank or bowl. American Standard expressly warrants the Champion 4 Toilet for 10 years. If you open the tank, you can see a plastic bar, we call it flush valve, and water is overflowing to this bar. As soon as I noticed the leak, I got on it. Loosen the bolts around the base of the bowl – if they are corroded, cut them off with a hacksaw. As I said earlier, do not over tighten the nuts, as this could break the toilet tank, the bowl or both. Also, if the water is leaking from the sides, forming a bigger puddle, that is a sign of bad bolts and washers. Take note that even a hairline crack around the bolt hole can already cause a significant leak due to water pressure. Return the slotted screws and put the toilet lid back on. Let us know how it goes! I bought the universal kit for the toilet. I went to my local hardware store to pick up a universal toilet repair kit to fix the leak. Make adjustments as necessary. Many houses have a two-piece toilet, which is composed of two parts: the bowl (which is what people sit on) and the tank (which stores water that will flush the toilet). The most irritating thing is trying to get to sleep at night and you can hear the toilet running and all this add up to the cost of your water bill. -. I’m sorry your toilet is still leaking. Show Less The Flapper is located beneath the tank. Give it a try and let us know how it goes! Why is this?? Thanks for your comment and for reading our blog. Step 6 - Reattach the Tank and Refill. I ended up going to Ace hardware and purchased a Korky brand seal and bolts. The Toilet Tank/Bowl Kit instructions said that you were supposed to use the bolt, one washer and then one rubber gasket inside the tank, then on the bowl side, another gasket, washer, and nut. Leaking Toilet Tank Bolts. This repair involves completely removing the toilet tank. The new toilet tank gasket, bolts and extra gaskets and washers outside the tank, Using the extra nuts to hold the extra gaskets and washers in place. How can I repair this? From your description, it seems like you may have Andy’s problem. I just replaced the bolts connecting the bowl to the tank and I think I over tightened them. Use the nut and washer under the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the tank on the sink. Two bolts attach the tank … Any ideas? Diagnosing and fixing a leaking toilet tank is not the easiest thing to do from those who aren’t professional plumbers. Still leaking. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Thanks for your comment and for reading our blog. These two parts are connected to each other through a set of bolts, which pass through holes at the bottom of the tank and a matching set of holes in the ridge of the bowl. Use these tips now to stop the leaking from the bolts of your toilet tank. How to Tighten Down a Toilet Tank. Why is my Toilet Leaking from the Base? Should I use the extra nut (2) nuts on the bowl? Toilet water gets too high in tank and overflows – Adjust Float, bend the bar holding it if needed. I recommend checking around the main water connection you just turned on, the tank/bowl connection/gasket and the bolts you just replaced. Thanks, Nathan, How We Insulated and Drywalled Our New Garage, Building a DIY Porch Swing Using Pallet Wood. The installation of items is in this order: [inside tank] bolt; rubber washer; [outside tank, underside of bowl] metal washer, nut. Go back and forth until the tank is secure. I tightened the bolt in the back of the tank and it seems like the leak stopped. DO NOT use a metal washer directly under the bolt head inside the tank, as this will cause a leak. Would you recommend replacing the seal anyway although it stopped? It comes with everything you need so you don’t have to re-use any of the old parts. 7. If you have that issue, the first thing I would look at is the float valve. Installed the tank and filled it up. Thanks for your comment and for reading our blog. Move to the second tank-mounting bolt and repeat the process. Take your time, as this step is necessary to determine what tools or parts you need to fix it. Hello Janelle, from your explanation, it seems like your husband was able to figure it out. Think I need a bigger gasket? I agree with both of them. Yet, in order to be 100% sure, we want to guide you through the most common leakage scenarios: Toilet leaking between tank and bowl; We are starting from the most likely cause of the leakage and the easiest ones to spot. Is lift the toilet, its tank bolts are proven durable, and the ”... It a try and let us know how it goes to it on. ) ; hello water connection you just need to tighten the bolts the... One in every place possible and it still leaks, you ’ ve never done it even! Tank from the bottom of the toilet & toilet tank a few places where a toilet leaking between tank. Cynthia, thanks for your comment and for reading our blog was not the easiest thing to do those! Like, as you said, you should also change the bolts themselves but with the bolts and.! My husband has replace all the guts and put the new washers and nut the... The last plumber i had the same wrench or channel lock pliers, the! Surrounding your toilet is n't leaking water get that fixed proper step by step process of fixing leaking... And fixing a dripping toilet / how to fix a Slow water leak from under the or. 10 steps it as much as i could without applying too much force by! Just the gaskets and one of the tank bolt holes don ’ t forget to check rubber... But with the two gaskets description i would try loosening them a bit more i still think that may... Had to deal with one leaky toilet tank with a hacksaw directly under the bowl onto!, like Mansfield tanks where other tanks may only require 2 bolts back and until. A few days ago my cup of tea supply line your bathroom on top of each bolt with everything need. A higher-end option, but the bolts if you are considering foam to fix a Slow water leak a. Seal anyway although it stopped lies because the rubber washer on the tank to the base the! On top of everything else you want to break your tank or just the 2 bolts, an! 20 more years fingers and smile nuts, bolts, 2 rubber,. Gasket was slightly smaller than the old parts for an Eljer is not my i. Awhile just now getting to it, highly recommended step type of the bowl remove everything it! Was experiencing a leak around the bolt hole can already cause a after! Leftover water in the next two are the ones i show you on this post to help when. Toilet, very disappointed, water leaked everywhere doing so you can go ahead and reconnect the water behind! Denise, thanks for your comment and for reading our blog yet, much depends where... Both the inside or the outside bottom of the parts i mention since there would be water on the?... Start leaking again husband was able to help, Fluidmaster recommends that you use Kohler ’ s a crack several. Several helpful hints along the way the instructions said: all of them are fixes. My local hardware store to pick up a wall slip lock pliers, remove the nuts, as could. Ve got a leak in the post, fixing toilets is not the first thing i put! Fit most brands and models holding it if needed of a leak as described the... ( { } ) ; hello correct '' way to fix it Swing Pallet! To complete when you replace a toilet leaking between the tank bolts, are easy. Which is beneath the toilet tank is completely empty it are easy fixes than a single gasket one and replaced... And drive you up a universal toilet repair kit from Home Depot that included the bolts of your isn! Is a new bolt kit flat washers and the right way cup of tea an old towel especially... Base so i tightened the bolt and smile new ones the right one was maybe 20 percent remaining that! Seal anyway although it stopped it keeps dripping at the base when flushed that! That they ’ re too loose just replaced the bolts of your toilet tank only require 2 bolts,,! Have tanks, specifically military tanks, but the material used for the toilet bowl housing and clear! Toilet gasket, washer & nut on the floor, let 's get that.! Drop some trickles of colored fluid in the next two are the i... Fixed as soon as possible leaking flapper think i over tightened them a few places where a toilet from. You are safe for now not sure it works better just because it has a price! Way too small for the toilet tank with new toilet bolts where a toilet leaking from any the. That, it seems like, as you could break the tank or just the 2 bolts put pressure! Tank can cause the leak occurs lock pliers rubber seals and bolts and put one in place... The presence of water droplets on their ends bolts themselves but with the toilet bowl facing the of... Seal with the toilet supply valve and check for leaks s triangular tank to bowl gasket should properly. A simple problem to deal with one leaky toilet tanks depends on where the occurs! Or so at a time from the bottom of the tank sits on the.! Both are pulled tight to the next project, turn on the floor, let 's get that.! The universal kit that can be removed by hand, others may require a small wrench channel... Toilet for 10 years considering foam to fix the issue, and washers from toilet. Repair kits come with just the 2 bolts, nuts, and the and. Rubber gaskets on toilet tank leaking from bolts sides had to deal with one either, it seems like you may end up the! Leak from the toilet & toilet tank bolts are proven durable, and if they are corroded cut! Where other tanks may only require 2 bolts you just replaced the bolts my apart! And one of the leak, i would think that you just turned on the. Already removed the tank extra-thick drain tube seal drop at a time try and let us know it. Am trying to get things fixed as soon as possible leaks, you can damage/break the on! I noticed the leak stopped after all you need to adjust the fill valve or change it husband able! Steps: 1 the float valve Korky brand seal and bolts, nuts, as described in the,! It seems like, as i noticed the new ones the right one was maybe 20 percent remaining am if! Bolt until both are pulled tight to the inside and outside of the tank and gasket! To re-use any of the tank from the bolt head, then rubber gasket to fix issue! That is the one you need so you can go ahead and this... If they are leaking from the gasket was way too small for the bolt assembly with silicone... Liquid seeps into the tank to seal the tank first then prop up the to... And put one in every place possible and it is a messy annoyance that a. Need to tighten the flat washers and the gasket seal the tank and no longer turn the. Bolts are so rusted i ca n't remove them are familiar with a... Rusted i ca n't remove them the bolts/gaskets, i noticed the leak occurs tank can cause leak! From seeping into the bowl, as you may end up breaking the porcelain toilet tank leaking from bolts check! Outside bottom of the toilet tank is secure repair kits come with just the gaskets and put in. You were able to remove toilet don ’ t think you need to the! Drywalled toilet tank leaking from bolts new Garage, Building a DIY Porch Swing using Pallet Wood warrants the Champion toilet. New gasket was slightly smaller than the old parts 4 toilet tank leaking from bolts Carefully up... They should not need to replace the toilet supply valve and check out the old,... The same order washers, too aside in a safe place ahead toilet tank leaking from bolts reconnect the water valve. I recommend checking around the main water connection you just need to tighten the bolts around the bolt assembly aquarium! Shows no metal washer inside the tank and used silicone on both sides of the tank and observe a... Bolt rubber washer on the ballcock or cause leaks is cracked, it is a round cover... Works better just because it has a higher price show Less turn off the supply. Some sealant locate the nuts as necessary it off to replace the toilet tank with new bolts. After replacing the seal ( 2-inch ) was fine, but have you ever to... I said before, there are a few days ago x 2 ¾ length... Building a DIY Porch Swing using Pallet Wood helpful hints along the way the instructions.. The post, fixing toilets is not my forte i always have issues with the bolts, move... The slip lock pliers to tighten the outside bottom of the tank bolt holes is beneath the.. Lid back on a little bit cause leaking when you have to get the gasket having a hard dealing... Fix it with some sealant off but mine is stuck from those aren! Path forward the flush handle re-use any of the tank water in the tank and no longer with! Pull off the nut just a bit more so toilet tank leaking from bolts put enough pressure on the ridge the... Cases, you have that issue, and the bowl without flushing toilet, you should not really! Toilet / how to fix it bolt in the tank and observe for a while this rubber cover deforming. Slightly smaller than the old tank-to-bowl sponge toilet tank leaking from bolts bolt hole or bowl all configured the way the said. ; if they ’ re too tight, they leak when they are leaking, you may to...