Homeowners into superheros all over the globe! People emerge from bathrooms all over the planet, plungers in hand like Poseidon’s trident, claiming victory over menacing drain pipes and leaky seals. Alas, your hero powers are limited, and you can do only so much before it’s time to call a plumber. The trick is to know when to step away so you don’t end up paying additional costs to fix your mistakes.
Find the Source of the Leak
If you’ve got a leak that’s coming from your bathroom, but you aren’t sure of the source, a plumber’s dye might help rule that out. You can use food coloring or “septic dye test tablets,” which are nontoxic, biodegradable and available through online plumbing suppliers. Fill the bathtub, toilet tank and toilet bowl with different color dyes. The leak that matches the dye color wins, and you’ve likely got a drainage problem. If the leaking water is not colored, you’ve likely got a supply problem.
Seven Most Common Bathtub Leaks
The most common sources of leaks in a bathtub are:
1. Hot or cold knobs
2. Converter valve (from tub to shower)
3. Shower neck
4. Tub spout
5. Drain
6. Crack or break in tub floor
7. Tub overflow gasket
DIY Rating: Easy to difficult. Your superhero should be able to fix anything that’s on the room-side of the wall. Anything behind the walls leave to the professionals. For example, if the overflow gasket is leaking, remove the cover and pop out the rubber o-ring. Apple Rubber’s advice for replacing rubber seals is “what comes out must go in.” In other words, replacement parts must be exact matches.
Water around the base of the toilet
If you’ve ruled out human sources who’ve missed their targets, make sure the source is not condensation from the tank. In humid climates during the summer, cold water supply to a non-cooled bathroom will cause toilet tanks to “sweat.” You’ve got several options, including a tank insulator, air conditioner, dehumidifier or an anti-sweat valve that adds a little hot water to the supply line. We recommend calling a professional for the latter suggestion.
DIY Rating: Difficult, though it can be done by an experienced homeowner.
Drip sound or toilet running
First, dye the water in the tank, and let it sit for a couple of hours without flushing. If the toilet bowl water matches the dye color, you have a leak between the tank and the bowl.
This is usually an easy fix. Most toilet tanks have the same basic parts:
- Flush handle
- Handle arm
- Chain or lever
- Overflow tube
- Float
- Fill tube
- Flush valve
- Flapper
Flush tank diagram from Wikimedia Commons public domain
DIY Rating: Easy to slightly challenging. Make sure the chain or lever hasn’t become shortened or hung up and that it’s allowing the flapper to close completely. Check the rubber flush valve and clean it. Sometimes, buildup causes the rubber valve to become slippery, which allows water to leak from the tank to the bowl. Sometimes, flush valves become old and worn and need to be replaced. Don’t overestimate your superhero powers; call a professional when you move beyond familiar territory.