
How to Fix a Wobbly Leaking Toilet Tank
- Find the tank bolt nuts underneath the bowl.
- Use an adjustable wrench to tighten them.
- If instead of tightening they are spinning, you will need to access inside the tank.
- Turn off the water to the toilet. You will find the shut off valve on the wall behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise.
- Flush the toilet.
- Remove the toilet tank lid.
- Use a screwdriver to hold the bolts head from inside the tank while you tighten the nuts from underneath the bowl with your other hand.
- Check if the tank stops leaking.
How do you fix a leak under a toilet tank?
- Turn off the water to the toilet. ...
- Flush the toilet and hold the handle down to remove as much water as possible.
- Remove the toilet tank lid and place it away in a safe place where it cannot fall off and break.
- Use a sponge to soak up the little water still left at the bottom of the tank and squeeze it out into the bowl.
What are the best ways to repair your leaking toilet?
Know Your Parts to Fix a Leaking Toilet
- Refill Tube. Replaces water in bowl after flush. ...
- Ball Cock. On/off valve regulated by float ball fills tank and bowl after flush. ...
- Float Cup. When it comes time to retire an old ball-cock flush mechanism, the all-in-one plastic replacements stocked by home centers make for an easy fix.
- Float Ball. ...
- Chain. ...
- Overflow Tube. ...
- Flapper. ...
- Gasket. ...
- Wax Ring. ...
- Closet Bolt. ...
How do you repair a cracked toilet tank?
Required Supplies
- The very first thing you should do is turn off the water supply to the toilet. ...
- Next, flush the tank to remove any excess water and mop up any remaining water in the bowl and tank with some towels or sponges. ...
- Next, identify the cracks in the tank or bowl. ...
- Afterward, use the putty knife to smooth the sealant out. ...
How to tell if your toilet is leaking?
The following checks will enable you to instantly tell if your toilet is leaking:
- Establish where the water on the floor of the toilet is coming from at all times
- Visually inspect your toilet set up for leaks and cracks, paying close attention to trouble spots like the overflow, spud, and flange
- Stay on the lookout for any evidence of leakage under the floor, including odors, mold, spongy floorboards, and discoloration

How do you stop a toilet tank from leaking?
4:316:57How To Fix a Leaking Toilet Tank - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe way this kid is laid out they want you to use a metal washer first. And then a rubber washer.MoreThe way this kid is laid out they want you to use a metal washer first. And then a rubber washer. And this is going to keep the tanks from leaking.
Why is the bottom of my toilet tank leaking?
Over time, the bolts may loosen, or the washers may wear out, causing water to leak from the tank and pool around the toilet base. Begin by tightening the bolt nuts underneath the tank with an adjustable wrench.
Can you repair a leaky toilet tank?
Leaking toilet tanks can be repaired by changing out the rubber gaskets around the tank bolts and the spud washer, which can deteriorate and fail due to hard water and minerals. For this project you'll need the following tools: a screwdriver, adjustable wrench, small wire brush, sponge, white vinegar, and rags.
Can you use plumbers putty inside toilet tank?
Historically, plumber's putty was used to seal a leaky toilet or toilet bowl to a finished floor. However, we do not recommend using plumber's putty for these types of applications, as this product can't support the weight of a toilet and is not waterproof.
How tight should toilet tank bolts be?
Get the bolts snug but not tight. Some tanks have built in lugs that will contact the bowl. If yours has these, stop when they contact the bowl. You can fill the tank and look for leaks at the bolts.
How do you replace toilet tank parts?
2:2614:13How to Fix a Running Toilet & Replace All Internal Toilet Tank PartsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOk after removing the bolts. And the nuts from the underside of the tank you just simply lift up onMoreOk after removing the bolts. And the nuts from the underside of the tank you just simply lift up on the tank and remove it from the base of the toilet.
How to remove water from toilet tank?
Step 1: Cut the Inflow of Water and Expel Water from the Tank. Stop the inflow of water by shutting the control valve at the supply pipe under the tank. Then remove the water in the tank by flushing the toilet and scooping out the remaining water with a cup.
How to fix a crack in a water tank?
Stop the water supply and remove water from the tank by flushing toilet. Dry the body of the tank before you start fixing. You may use a cloth to dry or a hairdryer to fasten the drying. After that, ensure the procedures on the toolkit to mend the crack. Give it time like 2-3hours for the mend to patch.
How to flush a toilet with a regulator?
Spin the regulator that controls the supply of water into the tank and toilet bowl during flushing. Spin the valve so that it crosses a T with the supply pipe. Then expel the water by flushing the toilet and scooping out the little water with a container.
What does it mean when a toilet flapper leaks?
Drop some trickles of colored fluid in the tank and observe for a while. Once the colored liquid seeps into the bowl without flushing toilet, it indicates a leaking flapper. It’s always messy when a flapper is faulty in a compact toilet for small space.
How to secure a flapper?
You’ll find 3 nuts that secure the flapper just at the underside of the tank, and these nuts have plastic washers under them. Fasten these nuts with a screwdriver and a flexible wrench. Clasp the nuts with the screwdriver and fasten with the wrench by turning in a circular direction.
How to fix a leaky nut after tightening?
If it still leaks after tightening the nuts, you will need to replace the gaskets. Unscrew the nuts and clean them with crystal vinegar and scrub.
What to do if water is still dropping?
If water is still dropping, then it will require total replacement of the fill valve cabinet or the plastic washer or screw. Method 2. Changing a worn out fill valve. In the case that leaks still occur after you have tightened the screws, you may need to fix in a new fill valve.
What to do if water is leaking from toilet bowl?
If water is still leaking into the toilet bowl, go back and make sure you’ve fully tightened the bolts attached the flush valve.
How to get rid of leaking water in toilet?
Add coloring or food dy e to the water and wait 10 minutes. Add 1 dye tablet or 10 drops of food coloring to the water in the tank. Dyeing the water this way will allow you to see whether the water in the tank is leaking into the toilet bowl. You can normally purchase water dye tablets from your local water provider.
How to remove water from toilet tank?
Remove the water from the tank by flushing the toilet once the water’s been turned off.
How to flush a toilet when it won't flush?
If you can’t flush the toilet for some reason, you can also use a cup or a hose to remove the water from the back of the tank .
Why is my toilet water leaking?
Check the water in the toilet bowl to see if it’s changed color. If the water in the bowl has any trace of the dye you put in the tank, the water in the tank has leaked into the bowl. This means the cause of your leak is a faulty flush valve. If you have a damaged flush valve, it will have to be replaced.
What is the tube on a toilet?
Depending on your toilet model, the supply tube will either be a long, rigid pipe or a short tube connected to the water supply shutoff valve.
How long does it take for a fish tank to change color?
Be sure to wait at least 10 minutes so that the water in the tank will completely change color.
How long does it take to fix a toilet tank leak?
The job itself — regardless of which solution below you need — shouldn’t take more than 30 to 60 minutes.
What happens if a toilet tank leaks?
A leaking toilet tank can cause lots of water damage, so it needs to be fixed quickly.
What causes a tank bolt to leak?
This problem is easier and less time-consuming to solve. It’s either a corroded tank bolt or a worn-out gasket (or both) causing the leak.
What to do before replacing a toilet tank?
Before you go to the length of removing or replacing your toilet, determine whether the tank is truly leaking or simply “sweating.”
How to tell if a toilet tank is leaking?
One way to identify where a toilet tank is leaking is by adding food coloring into the tank. Then place a white rag or paper towel over potential problem areas. If it turns color, you know where the leak is.
Where does the toilet tank leak?
Sometimes, the leak comes from the flush valve outlet. If this is the problem, you’ll need to remove the tank to repair the leaking toilet tank.
How to contact Tom Plumber?
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a leaking toilet tank.
What to look for when a toilet leaks?
If a toilet leak seems to be coming from the bottom of the toilet itself, you might look for a failed wax ring affecting the seal. This is a much bigger issue than replacing washers and checking water lines, if only because it involves total removal of the toilet itself to inspect foundation items.
What to do if wax ring fails?
If the wax ring has failed, you can purchase a new one to replace it ; the same goes for any obviously corroded bolts. Once the new parts are in place, caulk the base of the toilet to serve as one last DIY safeguard against leaks for (we hope) years to come.
