{"id":2419,"date":"2021-01-19T15:26:14","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T15:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/server.trenchlessmarketing.com\/~inhouseplumbingc\/?p=2419"},"modified":"2021-01-19T15:26:14","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T15:26:14","slug":"toilet-water-supply-line-leak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bigwesttemp.com\/inhouseplumbing\/toilet-water-supply-line-leak\/","title":{"rendered":"Troubleshooting and Repairing a Toilet Water Supply Line Leak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nobody wants to deal with a leak anywhere in their homes but even less so when that leak is around the toilet.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve noticed water at the base of your toilet, it\u2019s possible you\u2019ve got a leak somewhere along the toilet supply line. And while we don\u2019t do repairs like this at\u00a0In-House Plumbing Company\u00a0(we specialize in the more of the non-DIY repair like\u00a0underslab leaks), we can let you know how to do it.<\/p>\n

Because believe it or not, this is a fairly simple repair that you can do yourself in less than an hour.<\/p>\n

Find the Leak<\/h2>\n

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The first step with any leak is not a surprising one: Find it!<\/p>\n

The toilet supply line is attached to a\u00a0cold fresh water pipe\u00a0under the slab or in the wall to the toilet tank.<\/p>\n

The water from the cold line runs through the supply line to fill the tank which then fills the bowl after you flush the toilet.<\/p>\n

As I\u2019ve mentioned in previous\u00a0posts, there is always pressurized water in your water pipes. This is also the case with the toilet supply line. It is the fill valve in the tank that stops it from continually pumping water into the tank.<\/p>\n

So if there is a leak along the line, there will be a consistent drip making it a little easier to figure out where the problem might be.<\/p>\n

The leak could be in the line itself or from the fill valve fitting at the tank or the shut off valve fitting where the supply line connects to the fresh water line.<\/p>\n

Loose Toilet Supply Line Valve Fittings?<\/h2>\n

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It\u2019s always good to rule out the simple stuff first. So before I go on with how to repair your supply line leak, if the leak is coming from one of the valves, make sure the fittings aren\u2019t loose.<\/p>\n

If your home or toilet line is newer, it\u2019s possible the valves are OK and just need to be tightened.<\/p>\n

But if the fittings are plastic, be careful not to tighten them too much because you could break them. (It might be worth it to go ahead and replace the valves with a metal fitting or a reinforced plastic compression fitting even if it is just a loose valve. Some of the cheaper plastic fittings break too easily.)<\/p>\n

Use a pair of pliers to tighten the fittings enough to stop the leak \u2014 hand tightening usually isn\u2019t enough to keep it from leaking. Then once the rubber gasket has had a few hours to compress, tighten it just a little more.<\/p>\n

If this does not solve your leak problem, it\u2019s time for the next step.<\/p>\n

Check the Washers and Threads<\/h2>\n

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A leak can also be because of worn out washers and\/or threads.<\/p>\n

Turn off the water at the shut off valve and remove the hose. Remember, there will be water in the hose so have something like a small Tupperware or bucket to catch it.<\/p>\n

If the washers look worn or are cracked, replace them. Also check to see if the threads are stripped. If so, you can wrap pipe leak tape \u2014 also referred to as plumber\u2019s tape \u2014 around the threads to create a seal.<\/p>\n

Put everything back, dry everything off with a towel, and turn the water back on. If the leak has stopped, you\u2019re done! If not, it\u2019s time to go ahead and replace the line.<\/p>\n

Replace Toilet Water Supply Line<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve tried everything above and the leak has not stopped, you need to replace the supply line. Of course, you can always just go ahead and replace the line from the start and skip the step checking the washers and threads. A new one will only run you around $10 so if you\u2019re looking to save time, you won\u2019t be out too much money.<\/p>\n

Tools You Need:<\/h3>\n