I don't often go into the guest bath. I wanted to check on the water I have dripping due to cold weather. There was water, just a little on the floor. I checked the sink and the tub, they are fine. Seems like it came from the toilet but I don't know why. I could not find a leak anywhere but the toilet bowl seemed low. Looked inside the tank and it seemed low in there. I poured water in the tank and it seems to flush fine but the tank did not fill all the way. The flapper seems fine but the float does not seem to be moving when the tank if filling. Could it just be the the float or insides need to be replaced? That still in my mind does not tell me why there would be water on the floor.
Having problems with a toilet, any ideas?
- Thread starter Blessed
- Start date
Lilac
Well-known Member
- Location
- Flyover Country
My MIL toilet was low if it wasn't flushed on a regular basis in her upstairs bathroom that didn't get used much. Could this be it?
No, I checked it several times and it fluhes fine after I fill the tank. I thought at first it was a problem with seal at the bottom, it might need to be reseated but there is no indication it is leaking there. I just can't figure out where the water came from.
I don't know anything about plumbing, but I found a YouTube that has a couple possible reasons for leaks.
As far as the water being low, do you mean that it simply evaporates because that toilet isn't being used? I used to have that problem with my guest room toilet.
As far as the water being low, do you mean that it simply evaporates because that toilet isn't being used? I used to have that problem with my guest room toilet.
PeppermintPatty
š¢. š³. š¢
- Location
- Canada
Is your float thing tangled up?
Also, could the water on the floor be condensation from the pipes?
Could there be a leak on your flapper?
Flush the toilet, let the tank fill up then turn your water off. Check level. If water level has gone after filling then you need a new flapper.
No, the float is not tangled up but I could not lift it with my hand. It does not look like the same kind of toilet guts in the other two baths. That question makes me think to go take another look. This float may operate differently as it is the newest toilet I have in the past. It is not from condensation, I am sure of that. You may have solved this, this type of float is new to me. Let me check it with some research. I will get back to you!
I don't use it but my big dog thinks that is the place to go if his water bowl gets low, so I do go in and flush it usually everyday,, yes I am the crazy dog owner!!
bobcat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern Calif
Take off the tank lid. Flush the toilet and observe carefully. Your flapper is fine, so no need to be concerned with that. There is a tiny tube that goes from the fill valve into the overflow tube and is secured there by a clip. Make sure it is sending water into the overflow tube because that's what refills the bowl. If that retainer clip comes loose, water could spray anywhere.
Also make sure water isn't spraying up from the fill valve that would hit the underside of the tank lid, as it would leak down the outside of the tank onto the floor. The float should rise as the water fills, and if it doesn't it is either getting hung up by something, or it has become partially waterlogged (Which means it has a leak in it, and needs to be replaced).
If the water rises to the level it should be, and everything seems to be working fine, then it's possible the likely culprit is the wax ring that the toilet sits on, and you will see the leaking around the base of the toilet mainly when you flush it.
Also make sure water isn't spraying up from the fill valve that would hit the underside of the tank lid, as it would leak down the outside of the tank onto the floor. The float should rise as the water fills, and if it doesn't it is either getting hung up by something, or it has become partially waterlogged (Which means it has a leak in it, and needs to be replaced).
If the water rises to the level it should be, and everything seems to be working fine, then it's possible the likely culprit is the wax ring that the toilet sits on, and you will see the leaking around the base of the toilet mainly when you flush it.
hawkdon
Well-known Member
- Location
- Liberty MO
I deal with condensation water all the time in this old place,
poor insulation and so on.....
poor insulation and so on.....
Well, I have done those things. the little tube is in place and working to allow refill of the tank. It is in place and not spewing up against the lid of the tank. I have had that happen. It is a new to me float and it is not rising as much as it should. I tried to manually lift it but there is a little kind of handle looking thing that could be the problem. I have to get in there and fool with it again. I am cooking dinner so it will have to wait.
I don't think it is the wax ring because I could not see a leak since I cleaned up the water. I had this toilet replaced, maybe eight years ago. The other two in the house are much older and have not needed to be reseated yet. My husband would do this himself but he had passed since I had to have this one replaced.
I only flush it once a day just to make sure it is fresh water in the bowl. For some reason unknown to me my big dog like to get a drink in there even though he has fresh water in his bowl. I think sometimes he is just lazy and does not want to walk to the other side of the house for a drink. Kind of like I take a glass of water to bed with me.
I don't think it is the wax ring because I could not see a leak since I cleaned up the water. I had this toilet replaced, maybe eight years ago. The other two in the house are much older and have not needed to be reseated yet. My husband would do this himself but he had passed since I had to have this one replaced.
I only flush it once a day just to make sure it is fresh water in the bowl. For some reason unknown to me my big dog like to get a drink in there even though he has fresh water in his bowl. I think sometimes he is just lazy and does not want to walk to the other side of the house for a drink. Kind of like I take a glass of water to bed with me.
Good info
Water on the floor;
You might also wipe down the pipe behind the toilet that feeds the tank
Flush
Feel for moisture
The seals my need to be snugged up or gaskets may need replacing
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bobcat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern Calif
Well, there are so many different kinds of floats associated with fill valves, so it's hard to know what may be going on there. If it does shut the water off at some point, then it may just need to be adjusted, and the way you adjust it is specific to the type you have. If the toilet keeps running, without shutting off, the float is not working, and as mentioned, it is getting hung up or is waterlogged.
However, that in itself doesn't account for water on the floor. Look underneath the tank with a flashlight to see if there is a leak anywhere before flushing. It may be the fill valve nut underneath that needs a little tweak (Only if you see a leak), but be very careful not to overtighten because they are plastic, and can crack. It could show up as running down the flex line. Check the supply line nut that attaches to the shutoff valve, and check everywhere.
If no leak, then flush it and check while it's refilling. It could be the large close coupling gasket that seals between the tank and the bowl that's allowing a tiny leak. It's may be a very large nut inside the tank that tightens it, or some have two bolts that go from the inside of the tank to the underneath side of the bowl. They may be a bit loose too, but again, be careful not to overtighten. It could also be a hairline crack somewhere, so check for that as well.
I did check under the toilet tank and around the seating but saw nothing. There could be a crack I can't see with my eyes, which are bad. I may have to call the son over to take a look with his young eyes.
The float works but does not allow the tank to fill all the way to the line where it should be. It is a new kind of float to me, so I will research on google and you tube to learn more. I really thank you for your valuable information!!
bobcat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern Calif
Well if you can't find a leak anywhere before or after flushing, and you're certain it's not the wax ring leaking, the only other I can think of is a crack or condensation. Good luck.
Knight
Well-known Member
You didn't mention where the water was or how much. Was the water in front, on either side, in the back, close to the toilet. The only real clue as to how water was on the floor is this.
Quote
"I only flush it once a day just to make sure it is fresh water in the bowl. For some reason unknown to me my big dog like to get a drink in there even though he has fresh water in his bowl. I think sometimes he is just lazy and does not want to walk to the other side of the house for a drink. Kind of like I take a glass of water to bed with me."
Quote
"I only flush it once a day just to make sure it is fresh water in the bowl. For some reason unknown to me my big dog like to get a drink in there even though he has fresh water in his bowl. I think sometimes he is just lazy and does not want to walk to the other side of the house for a drink. Kind of like I take a glass of water to bed with me."
@Knight it was in front of the toilet but is was more than just a few drops that he usually leaves if he goes in there. I had to use a bath towel to soak it up, that why I did not think it was him.
Also when I found the tank was not filling up to where it shoud be therefore not filling up the bowl when I flushed it.
I am kind of use to the crazy antics of my dogs and know who did what mess and what I have to watch out for. For instance, my little girl loves paper, paper towels, toilet paper, envelopes. She is a shredder!! I can't leave the waste baskets on the floor in the baths, must be kept up on the back of the toilet. Must make sure I closed the door to the closet that holds the TP and towels.
Mr. Big is a problem in the kitchen, he does make quite the mess around his water bowl. Little girl likes to knock her food out of the bowl to eat the part she likes the best first. If someone goes potty in the house, it is my little boy, he is just lazy and does not want to go out in the cold so he does not wake me at night if he needs to go, just hops out of the bed and goes where he feels is appropriate. It does not happen very often but that is what the little green machine is for. Thank god I have to get up to go at night and I open the back door so the whole family can take a pee at the same time LOL!
Also when I found the tank was not filling up to where it shoud be therefore not filling up the bowl when I flushed it.
I am kind of use to the crazy antics of my dogs and know who did what mess and what I have to watch out for. For instance, my little girl loves paper, paper towels, toilet paper, envelopes. She is a shredder!! I can't leave the waste baskets on the floor in the baths, must be kept up on the back of the toilet. Must make sure I closed the door to the closet that holds the TP and towels.
Mr. Big is a problem in the kitchen, he does make quite the mess around his water bowl. Little girl likes to knock her food out of the bowl to eat the part she likes the best first. If someone goes potty in the house, it is my little boy, he is just lazy and does not want to go out in the cold so he does not wake me at night if he needs to go, just hops out of the bed and goes where he feels is appropriate. It does not happen very often but that is what the little green machine is for. Thank god I have to get up to go at night and I open the back door so the whole family can take a pee at the same time LOL!
Marie5656
SF VIP
- Location
- Batavia, NY
When I had the same problem, it turned out to be the wax seal that goes around inside the base of the toilet
Lara
Friend of the Arts
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic Coast
I don't know if anyone mentioned this, probably not because...well, you'll see. so my water bill was $500 a month so I went to my local water people. They had a little basket on the table and the gal behind the counter said, "take one of those little packets in the basket, take out the pill, drop it in your toilet tank and if it turns color then you have a leak." lol...that's bizarre
Well, I did it and it didn't turn any color. They ended up running a free professional test and found that the culprit was the irrigation system for my front and back yard.
Well, I did it and it didn't turn any color. They ended up running a free professional test and found that the culprit was the irrigation system for my front and back yard.
@Marie5656 I was thinking the same thing but once I cleaned up the initial water there has been no other water. This is also the newest toilet in the house, I have two other baths that could even be original to the house. I have replaced the seats and inside works over the years and they are still seated just fine, I am sure puzzled!!
Yep, I have done that but I just use food coloring, I have not run that test yet. Thanks for reminding me. I have done this when the toilet seems to keep running/filling. It is not doing that.
I am sure it is not in the yard, for one thing I do not run the sprinkler system any more. I quite about the time my husband got cancer about 20 years ago. We just could not afford it with the medical bills and our city charges a fortune for water to a sprinkler system. The house and sprinkler systems are on 2 different meters. I am sure if I tried to turn it on after all this time the heads would be buried by now.
debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I found water on the floor of bathroom #2. It was the inlet valve under the tank that was leaking.
Knight
Well-known Member
This might sound gross but are you sure it was water & not that light in color water dogs tend to get rid of?
Front rules out valve leaking since it is in the back.
Tend to think it's not the wax seal since the normal action would be to rock side to side if the hold down bolts loosened. That too would be on the side if at all. I've had that happen & water never came out the front.
Tank seal where it mates to the bowl again in the back.
Fill tube seal in the back & all the other possibilities that are back related how water would not be in the back with a trail leading to the front is a mystery.
If that was the only time then I'm back to naughty dog.
I have not been in there to try and solve it today. True, I won't rule out the bad dog idea, it is possible. I will let you know as soon as I figure it out.