Find and Repair These Plumbing Leaks

Toilet Leaks

Damaged Flapper

The flapper is a rubber stopper or seal located in your toilet’s tank. It is attached to the flush lever with a chain. Whenever you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts and allows water from the tank to enter the toilet. If the flapper is damaged or if the chain is too short, excess water might be draining from the tank to the toilet. Push on your flapper a little to see if the leaking stops—if it does, you have identified the problem. You can either tighten the chain at the right length or purchase a replacement flapper. You can find a flapper at any hardware or home improvement store.

Float Is at The Wrong Level

Open your toilet tank. You will see a ball-like object—this is called the ball float. The float is attached at the end of an arm-like component, which helps set the level of water in the tank. If the float is set too high, the water is probably filling up the tank and unnecessarily being drained away in the bowl through the overfill tube. To fix this problem, all you must do is adjust the float to a lower level.

Broken Toilet Flange

If you constantly notice a small pool of water around the base of your toilet, there is a chance you’re dealing with a broken toilet flange. The toilet flange is the seal between the area of the toilet where waste exits (toilet horn) and the drain line. While you can replace the flange yourself, you might want to call a plumber if you are new to plumbing problems.

Sink or Faucet Leaks

Damaged Cartridge

The cartridge of your faucet is in the handle(s) of your faucet that you use to turn the faucet on or off. Because you constantly use your faucet, the cartridge can quickly become damaged leading to your faucet spout leaking. Before you replace your cartridge, remember to identify the kind of cartridge you will need by looking at the faucet brand. You will most likely be able to find the brand or logo on the front of the spout.

Worn Out O-Ring

O-Rings are rubber seals located under the spout and handle(s) of your faucet. They help keep water from dripping and creating a mess around your sink. However, just like the cartridge we mentioned, O-rings can also deteriorate over time because of frequent use. To fix this problem, you will have to replace the O-Ring. Replacements can be found at your nearest home improvement store and are usually less than $10.

Shower Leaks

Leaky Showerhead

If your shower head is leaking, you can try fixing it by tightening the showerhead and making sure it’s securely connected to the pipe stem. You can also use pipe tape or Teflon tape to ensure it is secure. If your problem isn’t fixed after this, try replacing the rubber washer. The washer is located either in the shower faucet or showerhead.

Caulk Leaks

If the water constantly splashes on the seal around your bathtub, it’s inevitable that you will see some cracks and gaps in the caulk around your bathtub. Excess moisture can not only deteriorate the caulk and cause leaks but also give way for mold growth. To solve this problem, clean up the area and apply caulking to the cracks. To prevent it, take a minute to wipe away the excess water after you shower and invest in some good-quality shower curtains.