Toilet leaks and damage, though quite common, are not easy to detect. They cause major issues, from increased water bills and expensive repairs.
However, this can be prevented way earlier with simple and regular inspection and maintenance. In this blog, let’s know all the different tips to keep your toilet free from leaks and damage!
1. Follow regular clean-up routines
The most important step to prevent toilet damage or leaks is regular cleaning. At least once every month, clean the entire toilet, including the water tank, bowl, and external surfaces.
Clean all water outlets, such as the rim jets on the bowl and the hand shower holes, to prevent blockage.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners as they corrode the internal components of your toilet. This can lead to leaks and worse damages in the long run.
Instead, use mild toilet cleaners for the bowl and a baking soda solution for the hand shower and toilet tank. Make sure to clean the toilet seat, the lid, and the outer surfaces as well.
2. Inspect the flapper valve
The flapper valve is made of rubber or plastic. When you flush the toilet, it lets water flow from the tank into the bowl. This can wear out and cause leaks.
Regularly check for deformation in this valve. Add food coloring into the tank water. If water in the toilet bowl gets colored, it has led to leaks.
In this case, you must replace the flapper valve immediately. However, the lifespan of the flapper valve varies, and you never know when it will leak again. So, take extra precautions to eliminate this trouble.
Install a shut off toilet valve fixed with a motion sensor in the toilet. This lets water flow into the tank only when someone visits the washroom. After you leave, the water flow ceases, minimizing scopes of leaks!
Often, tenants overlook toilet leaks, leading to water wastage and high utility bills for landlords. So, every landlord must implement this solution and rest assured.
3. Focus on the fill valve
A fill valve helps refill the toilet tank and maintains the water level in the tank. A damaged fill valve will let water flow into the tank continuously, leading to water overflowing into the overflow tube.
Inspect it regularly by checking the water level in your tank. There must be at least an inch of gap between the water level and the overflow tube. This requires switching out the entire fill valve.
4. Use water softeners
Hard water (water with a hardness of more than 120 mg/L) has always been a major issue throughout the US, as evident in the hard water maps. While the municipal water treatment facilities soften household water, it’s not enough.
Hard water causes mineral deposits in your toilets, fixtures, and pipes, causing clogs. Use water softeners to enhance the water quality and minimize the chances of such issues.
5. Monitor wax ring seal
A wax ring seal, placed between the outlet drain pipe and toilet base, ensures no water seepage in the washroom after flushes. However, if there’s a leak every time you flush, you need to switch out the wax ring seal immediately.
6. Follow proper disposal rules
Flush only waste and toilet paper down toilets to avoid blockage. Don’t drop baby or feminine hygiene goods, paper towels, swabs, cotton balls, or any other paper goods.
Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant, or property owner, make all residents aware of this rule.
7. Observe the water pressure
High water pressure puts unnecessary stress on the finer components of the toilet. This causes damage and leaks. Monitor the water pressure with a pressure gauge and ensure it stays within 40-60 psi. If the pressure is far beyond, install a pressure-diminishing valve.
8. Update old toilets
If your toilet is 10 years or older, it’s high time you switch to a new one. The US Environmental Protection Agency suggests installing a WaterSense labeled model. This is known to save about 13,000 gallons of water annually and $2400 in wastewater bills in its lifetime.
9. Winterize the toilet
If your locality experiences extreme cold temperatures, the toilet pipes may expand and burst. This is common in toilets in unheated areas, including garages or cabins. Winterize the toilet by adding antifreeze after draining it and insulating the pipes.
Conclusion
With these tips and annual professional inspections, your toilet will always stay in top shape, and you’ll prevent major issues. Start practicing them from now on to keep your toilet and bathroom dry and functional and enhance their lifespan!