Your toilet contains many vital components that can wear out over time. Once this happens, the toilet will no longer work properly. It may begin leaking, it may not flush correctly, or there might not be enough water in the tank. Since so many things can happen, it is difficult to diagnose the problem and fix it.
What should you do if the toilet tank is losing water but you cannot find a leak? Ultimately, you’ll need to start by diagnosing the problem so you’ll know what you’re dealing with. It could be a leak that you cannot see easily. Your water bill will increase as a result. Follow the guide below to find out what is wrong.
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Should The Toilet Tank Lose Water?
When the toilet is working correctly, the tank should not lose water. Instead, the water level in the tank should remain consistent. The water level shouldn’t increase or decrease randomly. If you notice that this is happening, there is likely something wrong with one of the components. When you flush the toilet, most of the water in the tank should be used.
Then, water from the supply should fill the tank to a predetermined level. If nothing is wrong, the water level should be identical after each flush. If the tank is losing water, you’ll experience a handful of problems.
Problems Linked To Toilet Tank Water Loss
Have you noticed that your toilet is no longer flushing correctly? Although it could be another issue, there is a possibility that the tank is losing water. As this happens, you will begin experiencing several unique problems. For starters, you may begin noticing water dripping on the floor beneath your toilets. While this is a serious issue, you can diagnose the problem easily.
However, some problems aren’t as easy to spot. There may be no leak. Instead, your toilet may not be flushing properly. There might not be enough water to flush the bowl. Since the water is going somewhere, your water bill will start increasing. If you receive an abnormally high water bill, it could be caused by an issue with the toilet tank.
Find out what is wrong quickly so you don’t have to overspend on water that you’re not using.
The Supply Line
If you have a problem with your plumbing supply line, you will probably notice it. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to check it since you can lose a lot of water from a faulty supply line. The hose used to connect the pipe to the toilet tank is not going to last forever. If it begins leaking, your toilet tank may not fill fully.
You should notice water around the toilet, but the leak might be too small to be noticeable. There should be a shut-off near the supply line. Turn it off before replacing the line to the tank.
Tank Bolts
The tank bolts are responsible for holding the tank to the toilet. To prevent leaks, the bolts need to be tightly secured. Otherwise, water from the tank may begin leaking somewhere. Start by checking the bolts to make sure they’re snug. If you find water or moisture around the bolts, it could be a sign that there is a small leak there.
Turn the bolts until they’re hand-tight. Don’t overdo it because this could cause cracks. Moisture or humidity erodes the bolts over time. Since it is impossible to completely stop the erosion, it is recommended to keep a set of tank bolts on hand for emergencies.
A Problem With The Flapper
The flapper has to be working to prevent water from leaking out of the tank. The flapper is used to block the water to stop it from flowing into the bowl. If it malfunctions, water from the tank will begin dripping into the bowl. This could cause the tank to constantly fill up to make up for the lost water.
You must check the flapper to make sure it is working properly. When you flush the toilet, the flapper should close and stop all water from leaving the tank. If it doesn’t work, you might have to replace the flapper.
The flapper can be replaced with tools that most people have on hand. A licensed plumber can be called in if the entire system needs to be replaced. If the flapper is damaged this is also a possibility.
Damaged Ballcock Shank Washer
The toilet has a complex flush system with a variety of important components. Each of these components plays an important role not only in the flushing process but also in a sealed tank. A vital component that is often ignored is the ballcock shank washer between the toilet and tank.
The ballcock shank washer is constructed from durable rubber. The lifespan varies depending on the environment and the number of uses. Environmental factors like humidity and dirt can take their toll on the ballcock shank washer. This is not to mention commercial cleaners that contain chemicals known to erode rubber.
When the ballcock shank washer wears out, there may not be a noticeable leak. This is especially true in bathrooms with humidity problems. Humidity can puddle up on the floor or between the tank and toilet where the ballcock shank washer is located.
Replacing the ballcock shank washer is a lengthy task. On a good note, special plumbing skills are not required. Turn off the water before disassembling the tank. Replacements are available at most hardware and big-box stores for a few bucks.
Toilet Tank Losing Water But No Leak – Afterword
Your toilet tank may begin losing water unexpectedly. You may not even notice it because the system may constantly fill the tank to the desired level. While you may not see a leak, you will notice the excess water usage on your water bill. Check each component of the toilet to find out what is wrong.
Then, you should be able to take steps to fix it. If the toilet is beyond repair, consider hiring a professional so they can replace it for you.