What is the #1 cause of a leaky toilet?

• A. Leaking Flapper
• B. Clogged Toilet
• C. Cracked Tank
• D. Worn Seal

Answer: (A)

Leaks in a toilet most often come from the flapper not sealing properly. The flapper is the rubber valve at the bottom of the tank that seals the flush valve opening. When it wears, warps, or doesn’t seat fully because of mineral buildup or a misadjusted chain, water leaks from the tank into the bowl, causing a running toilet and wasted water. A simple test is to add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes; if color appears in the bowl, the flapper isn’t sealing. Replacing the flapper is usually quick and inexpensive and resolves the majority of leaks. Other issues exist, like a cracked tank, a worn wax ring at the base, or a blockage causing backups, but these present different symptoms and are less common causes of a leak from the tank itself.