What to do if the toilet tank is leaking. Do-it-yourself toilet repair: a complete guide How to eliminate leakage from the cistern into the toilet

If you notice that water is constantly leaking from the tank into the toilet, you need to immediately find a solution to this problem, since the noise will interfere with sleep at night, and rust will soon form on the toilet itself. In addition, the water meter readings will also not be particularly encouraging.

Let's try to figure out the reasons why water flows, because further actions depend on this. Next, we’ll look at several possible options for how to fix a toilet leak with your own hands.

Definition of failure

Experts do not risk saying for sure that the toilet is leaking for one reason and the solution to the problem is also the same. Each reason may have its own characteristics depending on the design. However, the “classical” design is still most widespread, so it is better to consider defining the current problem using it.

The first place without a doubt can be assigned to the overflow of the toilet, which is due to the fact that excess water leaves through the overflow. The problem in this case is this:

Over time, the rubber gasket can become deformed, that is, the rubber loses its former elasticity, resulting in a loose seal and the toilet tank leaking.
Poorly pressed gasket to the outlet of the drain valve also does not hold water. It is not necessary that the gasket has become deformed or lost its elasticity - it is simply not pressed against the toilet part enough - that is why water is leaking.
The pin that holds the float in the valve body may rust or wear away.
The tank often leaks due to a crack in the body.

If the toilet tank does not leak, but the problem still occurs, perhaps the problem is in the bolts that secure the tank and the toilet itself. During the operation of the structure, quite often the bolts rust and the plastic ones burst, which is why water leaks.

In third place in terms of prevalence is the reason associated with the rubber bulb. The problem is that over time, this toilet part may lose its elasticity, becoming more rigid. As a result, the bulb cannot take the necessary shape to retain water after flushing.

Another problem may lie in a malfunction of the drain tank itself due to the displacement of the float lever or its skew. The reasons for these factors are as follows:

a hole has formed through which water flows into the float;
after using the toilet for a long time, the lever itself may move;
Low-quality parts were used during repairs.

The reasons why water constantly flows in the toilet can be eliminated if you put some effort into it.

Fixing Toilet Overflow and Bolt Problems

The most common problem that causes water to flow in the toilet is an overflow of the tank. So let's start with a simple experiment.

Remove the cover. After this, you should slightly raise the float. If this helps and the tank does not overfill, then the search for the problem is completed at this stage. It is enough to pull the float lever a little so that the water stops flowing earlier.

Another option is that water continues to leak. The problem may be in the valve, so it should be carefully inspected. Initially, take your time with the pin that secures the float lever in the valve - it should be in place and intact. Otherwise, you will have to replace it with a piece of thick copper wire. At this stage, you need to inspect the hole into which it is attached, because if its size increases, the entire valve will have to be replaced.

And the last possible option, when after the above inspections and even actions, water still flows in the toilet, is a worn valve gasket. It cannot be purchased separately, so the question regarding whether a cracked valve or gasket is to blame loses its practical value.

What to do if the water in the tank is less than the overflow level, but the toilet itself is leaking? Quite often, this description is due to the problem of the unusable bolt that holds the shelf and toilet together. This is usually characteristic of older models of structures, where manufacturers still used steel bolts. Of course, over time, bolts deteriorate when exposed to water, so they should be replaced periodically.

The process itself involves the following:

Shutting off the water supply.
Removing the cover.
Emptying the tank.
Disconnecting the flexible hose.
Unscrewing the bolts.
We tilt the tank to remove the shelf from the cuff.
Remove excess liquid and place the tank on a flat surface.

Upon completion of the repair, the structure must be reassembled. It is important to not tighten the new bolts too tightly, since the material of the toilet bowl is quite fragile.

Replacing or repairing a bulb or float

If the toilet is leaking due to the loss of elasticity of the rubber bulb, which controls the water supply with a button, you should either replace it or try to repair it. To do this, you will first need to unscrew this part (counterclockwise, but when viewed from above, the position changes to the opposite) and disconnect it from the rod. When purchasing a new part, you should choose the softest one, otherwise this problem will arise again, and quite soon.

If it is not possible to buy a new rubber bulb, it can be temporarily repaired. To do this, simply attach a small weight to the rod, which will pull the bulb to the saddle, so that after flushing the water will not drain. Any weighty nut or washer will do as a load.

When water constantly drains due to a malfunction of the float in the tank, it can also be replaced with a new one. If a small hole is found in the float that is leaking liquid, an alternative, more economical option is to seal the hole with polyethylene or fused plastic. It is worth considering that such repair work will not eliminate the breakdown itself, but will only postpone its solution for a while. Therefore, it is better to do everything right right away.

Proper functioning of the plumbing means a good mood and budget savings. However, it is not always possible to avoid water leaking in the toilet after flushing. Unnecessarily leaking water from the tank results in excessive water consumption. If water is constantly flowing in the toilet, what should you do? You can cope on your own without resorting to the help of specialists, but to do this you need to know the algorithm for identifying trouble, as well as ways to eliminate it. We will look at them in this article.

Why is the tank leaking?

Leaking water from the toilet tank means that the plumbing fixture is faulty. The following facts speak about this:

You can hear the constant noise of water entering the toilet bowl between flushes.
Cold water condensation collects on the pipes.
A rusty coating appears.
The numbers on the cold water meter are significantly higher than usual.

Initially, correct installation of plumbing equipment can help avoid such inconveniences.

Important! Breakdowns that occur in the future can be completely repaired on your own if you familiarize yourself with the possible causes and repair methods.

How the toilet works

Why does water run and how to quickly fix a broken toilet? Before determining the cause of the malfunction of the toilet barrel, it is worth remembering the principles of operation of the device:

Water enters the tank from the water pipe.
The reservoir fills by raising the float upward.
Having reached a certain volume, the liquid closes the drain valve and further filling with liquid stops.
By pressing the button when flushing (by pulling the chain or lever), the valve opens and water flows into the toilet bowl.
Then the filling process is repeated, however, if it breaks down, the toilet tank leaks, preventing the liquid from reaching the shut-off valve, or vice versa - it can overflow through the float.

Causes of failure

Before you begin to fix the breakdown and find out why water is constantly flowing, you need to understand its possible causes, and there may be several of them.

Incorrect installation

As a rule, new plumbing products that were installed incorrectly begin to leak within the first six months after installation.

You can find out why water is leaking and eliminate the cause of the problem by disassembling the device yourself and inspecting it for visible flaws and cracks. The operation of the shut-off valve should also be checked and corrected.

Malfunction of the drain device

After a long period of use, plumbing fittings wear out, causing breakdowns. Also, troubles may arise earlier if poor quality cistern fitting materials were used during the installation of plumbing.

To understand why water is constantly flowing in the toilet, what to do, you should close the water supply that is connected to the tank and observe the leak:

If water drains when the water supply is turned off, then the problem lies in the drain valve. This can be caused by salt build-up from water, blockages, or normal wear and tear. Such a breakdown can be eliminated by cleaning the tank to remove any random debris or deposits.
If the water remains in the tank and does not flow into the bowl, then the reason lies in an incorrectly adjusted float or a clog in the automatic water system. In this case, you should try adjusting the water supply pressure.

We find and fix the breakdown

A drain leak can occur in different ways, so you must first determine exactly how the water flows:

Leaking through the overflow.
Leaks between bowl and tank.
The leak occurs before the overflow begins.
The water leaves through the overflow.
Along with the drain.

The toilet tank overflows and excess water overflows - this problem can arise for several reasons:

Mechanical damage to the valve body - such a breakdown can occur with a plastic fitting. Deformation or weak compression of the gasket.
Worn pin that holds the automatic drain lever.
Float lever displacement.

Important! Before you begin the repair, you need to prepare the following: wire cutters, gloves, pliers and new elements to replace the old ones. Also remember to turn off the water supply.

Lever offset

Lever misalignment is the most common cause of leakage. To fix the problem, it is enough to return the lever to its original position - strictly horizontal, below the pipe connection.

To eliminate other leaks through the overflow, proceed as follows:

Remove the reservoir cap.
Try adjusting the float by raising it a few millimeters.
If the leak stops, replace the float axis or straighten it (metal axis).

Important! Turn the float lever slightly to shut off the water earlier.

If the leak continues when you raise the float, pay attention to the valve. The pin in its composition may wear out, so it needs to be replaced with a new one or, as an alternative, copper wire should be used. In the place where the pin is attached, there must be a tight connection, as well as a complete absence of holes.

Important! If the leak continues with the valve gasket pressed tightly, the mechanism will have to be completely replaced.

Water flows away until it overflows (video)

If the water constantly flows, either reaching or not reaching the overflow, then most likely the bolt that holds the shelf and toilet together is rusted or cracked.

It is worth once again making sure that water flows to the overflow level by carrying out a thorough inspection of the fittings, and, if necessary, replacing several bolts or the entire set of fittings.

Important! It is advisable to give preference to brass fittings. Steel should be abandoned because it is less durable.

The solution involves disassembling the tank completely. So, proceed as follows:

Shut off the water supply.
Empty the cistern reservoir.
Shut off the water supply.
Unscrew the bolts that secure the toilet to the shelf.
Cut off rusty bolts.
Tilt the tank back, remove the shelf and place it on a flat surface.
Apart from the float and valve, disassemble all parts using wrenches and pliers.
During reassembly, replace all bolts with new ones.
Also replace or restore rubber gaskets using sealant.
Secure the tank with the shelf using plastic bolts. Roll the cuff towards the toilet and carefully place it on the shelf.

Important! If necessary, tighten the shelf with thick copper wire or a clamp, since it may also begin to leak over time, losing its elasticity.

The pear does not fit tightly

If the previous options are excluded, and the water still flows without reaching the overflow level, then it is worth considering another option. The rubber bulb acts as a membrane, opening and closing the water flow. But rubber products, when in constant contact with water, lose their elasticity over time and do not fit tightly, which is why water leaks.

To fix this problem, you need to replace the bulb. To do this, you need to unscrew it from the threaded rod counterclockwise. When buying a new pear, you should pay attention to a softer option, since such a product will last longer.

Important! The problem can be solved temporarily by using an additional weight, tying it to the lifting rod. Such a body kit will help to press the rubber bulb more tightly to the saddle, which will help eliminate leaks. Any heavy nut can be used as a weight.

Video material

To understand the issue, a toilet cistern with a button is leaking - what to do? , maybe not even a specialist. Initially, it is necessary to exclude all options for simple breakdowns, and only after this can you begin to disassemble the plumbing product to eliminate more complex problems.

In one day, up to 40 liters of water escapes into the World Ocean if there is a leak from the toilet tank in your apartment. This number adds up to exorbitant utility bills per month. It is clear that any owner is interested in fixing problems with the toilet as quickly as possible. This is not always as difficult as it seems, but the failure of the fittings can confuse many.

Toilet flush mechanism: how it works

For many years, the standard set of filling kits remains the same, because the mechanism itself has not undergone revolutionary changes. In a professional environment, the operation of the cistern is based on the principle of a water seal:

Attention! Be extremely careful when handling the ceramic lid. It is not sold separately, but it may crack or break if it falls on the floor.

Why is it leaking from the tank? Troubleshooting

Possible reasons for water leaking from the tank may be:

depressurization of the toilet float;
breakdown or incorrect operation of the shut-off valve;
failure of the rubber gasket and loss of tightness at the point of water release.

In the first two cases, water will continuously flow into the tank and pour out through the safety overflow hole in the upper part of the drain mechanism. In the third, it leaks into a dented or crumpled area of the gasket and leaks from the tank into the bowl. The methods for solving these problems are different, so it is important to correctly diagnose the breakdown. To do this, do a simple experiment:

Attention! Modern toilets are most often equipped with plastic fittings, which are not durable. The service life of the tank filling is also affected by the quality of the water. If it is low and the liquid is not filtered when entering the home water supply, then the plastic components will be eaten away by an aggressive mixture of substances.

How to fix a toilet if it is leaking water through the overflow

You can most often fix typical problems with the float and shut-off valves yourself, without purchasing additional materials. For any repair, you must first turn off the water supply to the toilet.

The float is skewed. This mechanism is constantly in motion, so after several years of service its connections become loose and backlashes appear. The system needs to be rebalanced: return the float to its normal position and tighten the loose elements.
The float has become depressurized. If water penetrates into the hollow glass of the float, wrapping it in a regular plastic bag will help in the first case. You can also seal the unnecessary hole with plastic. But such repairs are short-lived. Get ready to purchase a new valve mechanism.
The shut-off valve does not close due to a loose float pin. Re-insert it into the grooves. If it breaks completely, attach the float with a copper wire bracket. This won't help for long, but it will last for a while.

Advice. It is better not to use steel products inside the toilet cistern. They will be eaten by rust.

How to fix a tank drain

Eliminating this cause of leakage from the tank is more difficult. Most likely, you will have to go to a specialized store. Malfunctions and how to fix them:

The siphon membrane is damaged. This device is found in older toilet models. The siphon can only be replaced. Remove the cover, disconnect the fittings, unscrew the nuts and replace.
The rubber bulb gasket has lost its elasticity. Usually it bends under constant water pressure and loses full sealed contact with the saddle. Sometimes making the device heavier helps - a couple of stainless steel nuts are placed on the vertical overflow tube. But this is a temporary measure. It is better to replace the gasket with a new one. Although even here a catch may await you with the selection of a similar part - it simply may not be on sale, and the entire drain mechanism will have to be changed.
The surface of the seat is covered with rust or lime deposits. This also leads to leakage. Clean the surface thoroughly. For hard water, it is recommended to do this once every few months for prevention.

When going to the store, don't forget the old part. So the consultant will help you choose a similar one. To repair a toilet, no special equipment or tools are needed. The main thing is to correctly identify the malfunction. Even a person who has no experience working with plumbing can eliminate leaks from the toilet cistern.

What to do if the tank is leaking: video

Serviceable plumbing guarantees the usual level of comfort. As long as everything is in order with the toilet, it seems that there can be no problems. But things do not last forever, sooner or later they break - and the toilet tank begins to leak water and leak.

At first glance, this is a minor inconvenience, but even a minor breakdown can cause major troubles. Why is the toilet tank leaking? What can be done in this case?

If the toilet tank is leaking water, you need to urgently find out the cause and fix it as quickly as possible. Every day the cost of a breakdown will be higher and higher, because the meter continues to spin.

And if the situation gets out of control, everything could end with flooding of neighbors and impressive amounts of compensation.

To understand the reason for the tank leaking, you will have to remove and disassemble it. This must be done very carefully, without damaging the sealing gasket.

It happens that there are several minor breakdowns. For example, the toilet is constantly leaking, but the coupling has lost its tightness and is constantly leaking a small amount of water.

The owner of the apartment may not even notice it, but very soon the neighbors below will have a wet ceiling in their toilet, and complaints are inevitable.

Little things like the sound of running water, an increase in utility bills, and the risk of harming your neighbors add up to a very unsightly picture.

Therefore, you should not waste time and wait for all these troubles; you need to solve the problem once and for a long time.

The best preventative measure to prevent leaks is professional installation and regular toilet inspections. Once every 3 months you should check the tightness of the connections and the functionality of the gaskets. To prevent debris from entering the tank, it is advisable to install a coarse filter

Design and operating features of the tank

To repair a toilet tank, you need to have a very good understanding of what elements it consists of and how it works. The market offers many different models. Let's look at the most common ones.

Designs of popular models

The most common types of toilet flush tanks are designs combined with a bowl (compact) and wall-hung ones. The first ones are convenient because during installation you do not have to install a special exhaust pipe.

And secondly, a stronger pressure is created, due to which the toilet bowl is better cleaned.

The disadvantages of hanging tanks include louder noise when flushing, and additional elements complicate the design, which increases the risk of breakage.

However, in general, they are no less convenient and practical than those combined with a bowl, which is why they are very common in modern apartments.

Now that aesthetics is becoming as important a criterion for choosing plumbing fixtures as convenience, many apartment owners have begun installing installations.

A cistern of this model is mounted into the wall, and it becomes invisible. There is a special button on the panel for flushing.

Due to the hidden installation, this design is a little more difficult to repair if something happens to it.

The advantage of modern models of toilet cisterns is the possibility of modular repair. All components wear out approximately equally. In order not to repair one part after another, you can replace all the shut-off valves at once

Trigger mechanisms can also vary, and the convenience and durability of operation often depends on this.

For closed flush tanks, water release buttons are most often used, but there are designs with chains or levers that are installed for hanging models.

Mechanical triggers are designed so that the water drains while the button is pressed, while automatic ones are triggered even after a single short press. Failures in mechanisms of the first type are less common, but the difference is still not fundamental, because both types are quite reliable.

As for the material, the most common models are ceramic and plastic, although in some apartments you can still find cast iron rarities.

Plastic and earthenware tanks are very convenient and rarely burst. Usually the cause of their failure is mechanical damage or manufacturing defects.

Models of tanks with two buttons are very convenient, which allow you to select the water flow mode - full and economical. Designs of this type use membrane drain valves, thanks to which water does not flow out completely when you press the economical drain button

Main parts of the drain device

A cistern of any design consists of a bowl, a fill valve, a drain and overflow mechanism. The bowl is a durable container that holds water for flushing the toilet.

It rarely fails, but if this happens, the tank must be replaced. Repairs may only be a temporary measure while the owner chooses a new model. The valve is designed to regulate the water level in the drain tank. It is equipped with a special float that functions as an indicator of the amount of water.

The float is attached to the valve by a brass rod. In modern models, the valve is located at the very bottom of the cistern bowl, and in older models, on the side.

The drain and overflow system is a fitting with start buttons. Most often, the entire mechanism is made of plastic and is activated when you press the water release button. The drainage system is connected to the overflow mechanism to prevent water from spilling out of the bowl. The excess is drained into the sewer, and this process is regulated using a float valve.

The video shows a step-by-step diagram of disassembling the tank into individual parts:

The principle of operation of continuous and wall-mounted models

Cisterns connected to the toilet bowl are activated when the trigger button is pressed, and water is drained until the button is released.

When the drain valve is open, the overflow mechanism is closed.

When the water level drops to a minimum, the float valve opens and the valve closes. This happens because the indicator float descends to the lowest point of the bowl. When the tank is completely empty and the float is at the bottom, water begins to fill the bowl. It enters the tank until the float rises to its original place. At this moment the valve shuts off the water supply.

Wall-mounted models work on a slightly different principle. The functions of the drain bowl are performed by a special siphon in the form of a corrugated tube. When the trigger is pressed, water flows out through the open part of the tube.

When the water level drops, the float valve opens and the container begins to fill until the indicator float returns to its place. When the float rises, the float valve closes, preventing liquid from overflowing.

A detailed explanation of the design and operating principle of the cistern from a specialist:

The main causes of external leaks

What to do if the toilet tank leaks and water ends up on the floor? First you need to understand the reasons. There are two main components, failure of which leads to troubles of this kind. This is the gasket that is installed between the tank and the toilet bowl, and the screws that connect the compact structure.

The causes of external leaks can be either loose installation of the drain tank on the bowl, or a violation of the technology for installing the sealing gasket.

Also, the tank may leak due to natural wear and tear or an initially poor quality gasket. In all cases, the essence of the problem lies in the lack of tightness of the connections.

Sealing gaskets for toilets are available in every hardware store. They are made of silicone, rubber or polyurethane. Any of the materials copes with its tasks perfectly. The main thing is that the new gasket is not hard. You can check it by squeezing it in your hand. The surface of the product must be smooth and even

How to replace a leaking gasket?

First of all, turn off the water and empty the tank. After this, it can be removed by unscrewing the two screws connecting the structure. In relatively new toilets, the screws do not have time to become rusty and are easily unscrewed.

If the screws are seriously “grown”, you will have to be careful when unscrewing. It makes sense to consider the option of completely replacing the structure, because... problems may arise simply because the toilet has served its useful life.

In this case, breakdowns follow one after another, and soon after repair you will have to face new troubles.

When the parts of the structure are separated, you can remove the sealing gasket and check for leaks. To do this, it is compressed. If it has hardened and lost its elasticity, it's time to buy a new one.

If everything is in order with the gasket itself, then the problem is due to incorrect installation, but even in this case it is better to install a new one.

Before installing the gasket, the joints are thoroughly cleaned and dried. The new part is placed in the same place as the old one.

To guarantee the tightness of the connection, it can be glued with a special silicone compound. It is applied to parts of the structure and to the gasket itself on both sides.

After installing the gasket, the tank is installed in place, tightening the screws tightly. In this case, you need to monitor the applied efforts so that the connection is tight, but the earthenware does not burst.

All that remains is to tighten the nuts and wait for the silicone to set. The toilet can be used after 2-3 hours.

Silicone sealing compounds are designed for gluing rubber, metal, and plastic parts. After drying, they form a dense, impenetrable mass that is resistant to all types of influences.

Eliminating leaks at the connecting screws

Leaks at the installation sites of connecting screws occur in two cases:

if the toilet was initially installed unprofessionally;
if the seals are dry.

To eliminate the leak, unscrew the screws, but you do not need to remove the tank bowl itself. Most likely, the flat rubber seals have become unusable.

They will have to be replaced, preferably with conical gaskets, which ensure a tighter fit of the parts.

To install new fasteners, put a metal washer on the screw, then a gasket (if it is conical, then the wide part is towards the screw head).

When securing the structure, you need to evenly distribute the efforts, alternately tightening first one and then the second screw. This will help avoid distortions. If the tank is installed correctly, all connections will remain tight.

Distortions will lead to new leaks or cracks in the plumbing fixture.

Each toilet model has its own design features, so when disassembling you should be very careful, remember the location of each part, the specifics of fastening and other nuances. This will help to properly assemble the toilet after repair.

How to eliminate internal leaks?

Internal leaks are those when the tank leaks water into the toilet bowl. In this case, the floor remains dry, but water flows uncontrollably into the drain.

Such a breakdown cannot cause a “flood” in the apartment, but it will affect utility bills. Although the water only drips a little, quite a lot can flow out in a day.

Adjusting the overflow tube

Most often, the tank float is faulty: it does not completely cover the drain hole. Sometimes it happens that the overflow pipe is not configured correctly or the drain mechanism itself is damaged.

The easiest way is to check whether the overflow tube is adjusted correctly. To do this, open the tank and lift the tube slightly. If water overflows into the tube, then the cause of the malfunction is in the float valve.

If not, you just need to adjust the float by slightly bending the lever.

To improve the operation of the drain mechanism, sometimes little things are enough - just correct and clean the mechanism components that may accidentally move or become clogged under the flow of water.

Minor repair of the drain mechanism

To repair the float, unscrew the plastic nut that secures the tank to the toilet. There is a rubber part here that is responsible for shutting off the water.

It needs to be removed and washed thoroughly, removing all dirt from the place where it was located. After this, install the rubber band again and check the operation of the tank.

If after cleaning the rubber the toilet tank no longer leaks, then the repair can be considered complete. If water still flows, then the part will have to be replaced with a new one.

You can buy it at any construction or hardware store.

You can learn how to replace tires correctly from the video instructions:

Valve problem - what to do?

Sometimes the toilet tank leaks because the flush valve does not completely shut off the water. This happens if debris gets into the tank or the device itself is broken. In the first case, it is enough to simply clean the container by removing dirt from under the gum.

If normal cleaning does not help, you will have to change the valve rubber, because... It dries out over time and can no longer fit tightly to the drain. As a temporary measure, you can simply turn it over to the other side.

A broken valve needs to be replaced. How to do this is described in detail in the video:

Minor faults in the cistern

The most unexpected problems can arise with plumbing fixtures. Some of them do not affect the comfort of use, but cause minor troubles.

For example, the tank may simply make too much noise when filling and disturb nighttime sleep. If the toilet is noisy, you can install a muffler (flexible plastic tube) or a stabilizing float valve with a special chamber.

If you have already had to start repairing a tank, try to immediately think about how you want to improve its operation and perform all the necessary manipulations in one go.

Whatever the reasons why the toilet tank was leaking water, after repair it is imperative to correctly adjust the operation of the float and overflow system.

This will help prevent future leaks.

Current and faulty plumbing is a source of eternal headache, however, in most cases, fixing the problem is much easier than we think. If your toilet constantly flows, this is a reason to take urgent action. High humidity, unpleasant background noise, problems with neighbors - this is a non-exhaustive list of problems that you may encounter. What are the utility bills alone?

Think about it: in a day, a leaking toilet can result in about 200 liters of water spilling out, for which you will have to pay. So what should you do if the toilet is leaking?

There can be two ways out: the first is to call a specialist and rely on his professionalism, and the second is to roll up your sleeves and tackle this issue yourself. If you prefer the second option, then below you will find detailed instructions, as well as a list of recommendations and tips that will help you. Don’t forget that the cost of a good plumber’s services today is almost equal to the price of the plumbing itself.

How to fix a leak in a toilet - step-by-step instructions

So, the toilet is leaking - what to do? You need to start by turning off the water. You should not neglect this point in order to avoid additional problems. Remember: water flows into the toilet flush mechanism under pressure and if something suddenly goes wrong, an impromptu fountain may appear in your toilet. Next, you need to find out which part is malfunctioning and, depending on the need, stock up on some working materials.

You may need the following spare materials:

construction sealant;
knife and sandpaper;
tow, twine or burlap;
you will need a new analogue of some part if it turns out to be broken.

In addition to materials, you may need construction tools - pliers, screwdriver, hammer.

The most difficult thing is, perhaps, identifying the essence of the problem. The mechanism by which the toilet and flush system works is not that complicated, but it consists of a number of parts, the operation of which you will need to take a close look at.

Reason 1. The reason why the toilet is leaking may be the fact that it is not screwed to the floor (or wall) well enough. In this case, you just need to check the fasteners, tighten them if necessary or replace them with new ones. Be careful, as the toilet is seated on tiles, and if you pull too hard, the tiles may crack.
Reason 2. If the first point does not apply to you, it makes sense to look inside the tank. The cause of the leak may be hidden there. Remove the cover very carefully. This part is relatively fragile and can be easily broken or damaged. And since toilets tend to vary greatly in shape and design, finding a new lid can be challenging. An accidentally broken lid can be a reason to buy a new tank or even toilet, so be careful.
Reason 3. If water flows from the toilet tank, the cause of this is most often a bulb that does not fit tightly to the drainage point. Over time, this part can become deformed, as a result of which a free space appears in the place of a loose fit, from which water flows. The most obvious way to solve this problem is to simply buy a new pear.
Reason 4. If you do not have the opportunity or desire to buy a new pear, you can always continue to use the old one. Of course, it will have to be repaired a little to do this. To return the pear to its original shape, stuff it with some material, such as twine, tow or burlap.
Reason 5. Even if the bulb fits tightly enough to the drain and has the correct shape, the problem that causes water to flow in the toilet may remain. Perhaps the whole point is that the pear is underweight. In this case, you need to weigh it down. This can be done this way: take a fairly large nut and place it on the rod. Ready!
Reason 6: If you are dealing with old plumbing, rust may be the cause of the leak. It can accumulate in the drainage area and interfere with the tight fit of the pear. If this is the case, remove the bulb and use sandpaper to thoroughly clean the saddle. If the situation is really bad and the layer of accumulated rust is too large, use a knife. Chunks of rust or other debris may also accumulate in the drain area, especially if you have old metal pipes in your home. If this is the case, simply unclog the drain.
Reason 7. It also happens that water constantly flows in the toilet, but the flush tank does not fill. In this case, most likely the problem lies in the fact that the float is skewed. It is easy to determine that the float is skewed - it will lie at the very bottom. Solving this issue is extremely simple: slightly move the mechanism so that it falls into place.
Reason 8. How to fix a leak in the toilet if you were unable to return the float to its place? Perhaps the reason for the leak lies in the fact that the connection between the lever on the left and the float has been broken. Return the float to its place - this should help eliminate the leak.
Reason 9. If your toilet tank is clean of rust and debris, the tank filling mechanism works smoothly, and all of the above operations did not help fix the problem, you may need to replace the flush mechanism itself. This is quite simple to do, but it is important to know the following: the drainage system can be designed in two ways - when water is connected to the tank from below or from the side. First, determine what type of connection you are dealing with. Next, pay attention to the two valves involved in the drain mechanism - we are talking about the inlet valve and the outlet valve.
Reason 10. According to statistics, the exhaust valve breaks somewhat more often. If this is the problem, then the intake valve may not need to be changed at all. However, they are only sold as a set, so you will have to buy both. Unscrewing the exhaust valve and putting a new one in its place is not at all difficult: unscrew the connecting bolts (there are two of them), then the valve itself and replace the gasket. Install the new mechanism and check that everything works properly. Check yourself again: did you remember to turn off the water?
Reason 11. How to fix a leak in the toilet if the inlet valve is broken? Let's start with the fact that it will be easy to determine: in this case, the water flows directly onto the floor. Intake valves are also divided into two types according to the type of connection (bottom or side). However, regardless of the type of connection, the principle of operation of the intake valves is the same. This mechanism is based on a float, which rises to the top as it fills with water. It happens that the float clings to something and stops rising. If this is your case, just unhook it. If this is not the case, and there is a need to replace the intake valve with a new one, perform the same operation as with the exhaust valve. Use a wrench to unscrew the old valve and install the new one. Before you do all these operations, remember that you need to turn off the water.
Reason 12. Do not forget that any work that you carry out in the toilet flush barrel must be carried out with extreme caution. Parts of this system may be fragile or simply worn out and can easily break if handled carelessly.
Reason 13. How to fix a leak in the toilet if all the above mechanisms are working properly? Another source of the problem may be the connection of the toilet, or rather the corrugation, i.e. the place where the toilet connects to the sewer pipes. It is better not to put off solving this problem until later, as an unpleasant odor may appear or your neighbors’ ceiling may leak. You can try to correct the situation with sealant, but this will not work if the corrugation you have installed is cheap or completely worn out. The only way out of the situation if the corrugation is leaking is to replace it with a new one. You can buy new corrugation at the market or at a specialized plumbing store. There should be no problems with the choice - the diameters of pipes and similar connections have long been standardized and adjusted to each other. You shouldn’t skimp on this part and choose the best reinforced stainless corrugation so that after a while you don’t have to change it too. Reinforced corrugation with a stainless steel coating will, of course, cost more, but it is more reliable and will ultimately serve you much longer than its cheaper counterparts. For the operation of replacing the corrugation, you will also need a special plumbing sealant.

So, remove the old corrugation and properly remove the layer of old sealant. This is necessary so that the new corrugation fits as tightly as possible. Then apply a new coat of construction sealant and place the new corrugation on the sewer pipe. Apply a new layer of sealant over it. It is important to perform all these operations as carefully as possible. Let the construction sealant dry thoroughly (this may take a couple of hours, no more), and then check how the mechanism works. If you carefully studied our instructions and followed our recommendations, you should not have any problems installing the new corrugation.