Highlights
- The most likely culprits are the drain line, wax ring, flange bolts, cracks, or water supply line.
- You can replace a wax ring on a toilet, or you can call in a pro for the job.
- A pro may recommend replacing parts or the entire toilet.
- Leaks can lead to expensive water bills and repairs, so quickly investigate.
How do you fix a leaking Kohler toilet?
- Shut off the water at the valve and drain the water from the toilet tank, as indicated above.
- Use a plunger to force out any water that remains in the bowl. ...
- Dry out the bowl completely.
- Disconnect the water supply line from the toilet tank; loosen the nut that attaches the supply line to the tank and it should slide out easily.
How to fix Kohler toilet leak?
Disconnect the Toilet
- More advanced phases of curing a toilet leaking from the base will require moving the toilet itself.
- Shut off the water at the valve and drain the water from the toilet tank.
- Use a plunger to force out any water that remains in the bowl. ...
- Dry out the bowl completely.
How to troubleshoot a Kohler toilet?
- Solution 2: If you have a KOHLER toilet with a canister valve, check the color of the canister cap. ...
- Solution 3: Order chain assembly K-1219268. ...
- Solution 4: Partially close the water supply stop to slow the refill rate, which will reduce splashing. ...
- Solution: Wipe the Touchless Module and underside of the tank lid dry. ...
Why Kohler toilet keeps running?
eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. When your Kohler toilet randomly runs or phantom flushes, the cause is a leak in the toilet's tank that is allowing water to flow into the bowl in between flushes.
Why would a toilet leak from underneath?
Check the Connections between the Toilet Bowl & Tank 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.
What to do if your toilet is leaking from the bottom?
How to Stop Your Toilet From Leaking Around the BaseCheck For Condensation. ... Tighten the Tee Bolts. ... Disconnect and Remove the Toilet. ... Remove the Wax Ring, and Install a New One. ... Reinstall the Toilet. ... Connect the Water Line.
How do I know if my wax ring is sealed?
To test that a bad seal is the problem, grab a couple of towels and wipe up the water. Go on with your day, checking periodically to see if the water has returned. If the floor is still dry, chances are that the water wasn't coming from the toilet's base.
How long does a wax ring last on a toilet?
The wax ring is exactly what it sounds like: a ring made of sticky wax that helps form a watertight seal between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer pipe. It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself.
Is a leaking toilet an emergency?
Other major leaks: Washing machine hoses, toilet overflows, and even gas line leaks all constitute an emergency call.
How much does it cost to replace toilet wax ring?
between $60 and $150Replacing a wax ring, also called a wax seal, will run between $60 and $150, including labor and materials. While the ring itself is inexpensive, at around $2 to $10, replacing it takes time and expertise.
How much does it cost to fix a leaky toilet?
The national average materials cost to repair a leaky toilet is $18.55 per toilet, with a range between $17.36 to $19.75. The total price for labor and materials per toilet is $223.63, coming in between $202.77 to $244.49.
How do you reseal a toilet to the floor?
0:592:20How to Replace a Toilet Seal Ring : How to Fix Toilets - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your wax ring and firmly. Press it on the hole. On the bottom of the toilet. So it sticks thereMoreTake your wax ring and firmly. Press it on the hole. On the bottom of the toilet. So it sticks there by itself twists toilet out and you're going to put it back in place making sure that the flange.
Why does my toilet leak?
Description of issue: With this issue, toilets run or leak because water is leaking out of the tank. This may occur because the trip lever arm may be binding, water may be overflowing into the flush valve overflow tube or the flush valve flapper/canister seal may be worn.
What does "toilet constantly leaking" mean?
If tank water spills into the overflow but does not stop and keeps running, reference "Toilet Constantly Leaking or Running."
Why does a flush valve wear down?
There are two different types of flush valve styles (Fig. 1) that may wear down over time due to water conditions or from the use of in-tank cleaners. There is an additional flush valve gasket where the flush valve meets the bottom of the tank.
What does "toilet constantly leaking" mean?from support.kohler.com
If tank water spills into the overflow but does not stop and keeps running, reference "Toilet Constantly Leaking or Running."
Why does my toilet keep running?from support.kohler.com
Leaking or constant running is often caused by sediment or debris lodged in the cap of the fill valve preventing the water from turning off. The fill valve fills the tank and bowl with water after the toilet is flushed. This issue is common during new toilet installation because turning the water supply on and off can loosen sediment within ...
What causes water to leak from a tank?from support.kohler.com
Water Completely Drained from Tank: The gasket located at the bottom of the flush valve is worn, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl. Replacing the flush valve gasket is recommended.
Why does water run from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl?from support.kohler.com
Description of Issue: With this issue, water constantly leaks or runs from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl because the trip lever arm may be binding, water may be overflowing into the flush valve overflow, or debris may be lodged underneath the cap of the fill valve.
How to test if toilet is leaking?from support.kohler.com
Test to Identify Leaking in a Toilet 1 Select a time when the toilet can be turned off and left undisturbed for 6 - 8 hours. 2 Flush the toilet and allow it to refill. Then turn off the water at the supply stop on the wall. 3 Make a note or mark the water level in the tank and allow the toilet to sit undisturbed. 4 After 6 - 8 hours, check the water level inside of the tank and determine your result below.
What does "toilet constantly leaking" mean?from support.kohler.com
If tank water spills into the overflow but does not stop and keeps running, reference "Toilet Constantly Leaking or Running."
What causes water to leak from a canister?from support.kohler.com
Water to Flapper or Canister Seal Level: The flapper or seal is worn, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl. Replacing the flapper or seal is recommended. Water Completely Drained from Tank: The gasket located at the bottom of the flush valve is worn, causing water to leak from the tank into the bowl.
Why does water run from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl?from support.kohler.com
Description of Issue: With this issue, water constantly leaks or runs from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl because the trip lever arm may be binding, water may be overflowing into the flush valve overflow, or debris may be lodged underneath the cap of the fill valve.
How to test if toilet is leaking?from support.kohler.com
Test to Identify Leaking in a Toilet 1 Select a time when the toilet can be turned off and left undisturbed for 6 - 8 hours. 2 Flush the toilet and allow it to refill. Then turn off the water at the supply stop on the wall. 3 Make a note or mark the water level in the tank and allow the toilet to sit undisturbed. 4 After 6 - 8 hours, check the water level inside of the tank and determine your result below.
Can you replace a flush valve gasket?from support.kohler.com
Replacing the flush valve gasket is recommended. Water Level Slight Decrease to Half Empty: The leak may be too slow for accurate results or there may be a crack in the plastic of the flush valve itself. Replacing the flush valve is recommended.
Damaged Flapper
One of the most common causes of leaks is a damaged flapper. The flapper is the rubber seal that sits at the bottom of the tank and prevents water from leaking out. Over time, this seal can become brittle and cracked, which will allow water to seep through.
A Damaged Toilet Tank Ball
If your flapper is in good condition, but you’re still noticing leaks, the problem may be with the tank ball. The toilet tank ball is a rubber or plastic float that sits on top of the water in the tank and tells the fill valve when to turn off. When this float gets old, it can start to leak.
Leaking Fill Valve
Another common cause of leaks is a leaking fill valve. The fill valve is the part of the toilet that controls the water level in the tank. It’s usually located near the back of the toilet, and it has a float attached to it.
Worn Out Gasket
If your toilet is leaking from the base, the problem may be a worn-out gasket. The gasket is the rubber seal that sits between the bowl and the tank. Over time, this seal can become brittle and cracked, which will allow water to seep through. If your gasket is damaged, you’ll need to replace it in order to stop the leak.
Improperly Installed Toilet
Another potential cause of a toilet leak is an improperly installed toilet. If your toilet wasn’t installed correctly, it might not be sitting level on the bathroom floor, which can cause it to rock back and forth and eventually break the wax seal that keeps water from leaking out.
Worn Wax Rings
A worn wax ring is another common cause of a leaky toilet. The wax ring is the rubber seal that sits between the bowl and the drain, and it’s what keeps water from leaking out when you flush the toilet. Over time, this seal can become brittle and cracked, which will in turn cause a leaky tout base.
Leaking Base
Finally, a leaky toilet might be caused by a leaking base. The base is the part of the toilet that sits on the floor, and it’s held place by a few bolts. Over time, these bolts can loosen and cause the toilet to rock back and forth.
Why does my toilet leak?
A toilet can either leak from the tank to the bowl or between the tank and the bowl. The former is usually caused by a bent or warped toilet flapper which is easy to replace.
Why Does My Toilet Leak Between the Tank and the Bowl?
A toilet tank is installed at the top of the bowl to allow gravity to push the water from the tank to the bowl during flushing. 2 or 3 bolts are used to install the tank backed up by metal and rubber washers.
What does it mean when a tank gasket moves?
If it moves, it means that the bolts are loose and therefore not compressing the tank to bowl gasket enough and hence the leak.
What to do if toilet tank is not wiggling?
If the toilet tank is not wiggling but it is leaking between the tank and the bowl, go ahead and replace the tank to bowl gasket and tank bolts.
What does it mean when a toilet tank is worn out?
A worn out toilet tank to bowl gasket means that the seal is broken and you will notice water leaking between the tank and the bowl, usually when flushing the toilet .
What is a toilet tank to bowl gasket?
A toilet tank to bowl gasket is a rubber piece installed on the outside of the flush valve where the tank sits on the bowl. It helps to create a watertight seal as the water exits the tank and enters the bowl.
How to feel the bolts on a toilet tank?
Use your fingers to feel the 2 toilet tank bolt nuts underneath the bowl.
How to Determine the Issue with Your Toilet
While you might know that something is wrong with your toilet, you might not be sure what it is. While a running toilet or a leaking toilet might seem similar, there is a subtle difference between the two. While both are due to water getting loose in your toilet, the location that the water is escaping through is the most important part.
How to Repair a Running Toilet
By testing your toilet by following the steps above, you should have found out which category your toilet falls into. Only one of these categories is caused by your toilet running—the first one. If your toilet tank maintains its water level even when the water is turned off, there is likely an issue with your fill valve.
How to Repair a Leaking Toilet
If your toilet matches one of the other three categories from the chart above, you have a leak in your toilet. Unlike a running toilet, the issue here is that your tank is leaking water. A couple of parts can cause this issue.
How to Find Kohler Toilet Parts
If you have a leaking or running toilet, you may need to replace some of its parts. Here are some ways to find replacement parts for your Kohler toilet:
