Toilet maintenance: What to check and when to call a plumber
A leaking toilet cistern can be easy to miss, especially when the leak is slow or happening behind the toilet. However, worn rubber seals and internal components can eventually lead to water wastage, leaks and the need for repairs.
We recently attended an older toilet where a rubber component inside the cistern had perished and needed replacing.
Like many plumbing components, the rubber seals and washers inside a toilet don't last forever. Over time, they can deteriorate due to age, general wear and tear and the conditions of the water running through them.
Why do toilet cistern rubbers perish?
Rubber components inside toilet cisterns can break down for a number of reasons, including:
Age and general wear and tear
Chemicals and minerals in the water
Water quality
Sediment or debris, particularly where a property is supplied by rainwater tanks
Continuous exposure to water and regular use
As rubber deteriorates, it can become hard, brittle, cracked or misshapen. Once this happens, it may no longer create a proper seal.
This can result in water leaking from the cistern or continuously running into or down the toilet pan.
Signs your toilet may have a leak
One of the easiest things to look out for is water running down the back of the toilet pan from the cistern.
Other signs can include:
Water around the base or back of the toilet
A toilet that continues to run after flushing
The cistern regularly refilling when nobody has used it
Dripping or leaking around the cistern
An unexplained increase in water usage
A flushing mechanism that doesn't seem to be working properly
Even a small, constant leak can waste a significant amount of water over time.
Simple toilet maintenance tips
There are a few simple things homeowners can do to keep an eye on their toilets and potentially identify problems early.
Check for visible leaks - Every now and then, take a quick look around the toilet and cistern. Check for water running down the back of the pan, dripping from the cistern or pooling around the toilet.
Listen for a continuously running toilet - After flushing, the toilet should fill and then stop. If you can hear water continuing to run or the cistern repeatedly refilling, there may be an issue with an internal valve or seal.
Keep an eye on older toilets - Older toilets may have rubber seals, washers and other internal components that are reaching the end of their working life. If you notice changes in how the toilet flushes or signs of leaking, it's worth getting it checked before the problem gets worse.
Consider your water supply - Properties using rainwater tanks can sometimes experience sediment or debris in their water supply. Depending on the plumbing setup and filtration, this can contribute to wear on plumbing components over time.
Don't ignore a small leak - A small amount of water running down the toilet or a cistern that occasionally refills might not seem urgent, but these issues can lead to ongoing water wastage and potentially larger repairs if left unattended.
Repairing the problem
In this case, the worn and perished rubber component was replaced, restoring the seal and getting the toilet cistern working properly again.
Often, replacing a worn internal component can be a straightforward repair - but identifying the cause of a leak is important, particularly with older toilets where multiple components may be showing signs of wear.
If you've noticed water running down the back of your toilet, a leaking cistern or a toilet that won't stop running, it's worth having it checked.
Fussy 1 Plumbing provides toilet repairs, cistern maintenance and general plumbing services across the Adelaide Hills and surrounding areas.
If something doesn't look, sound or feel right with your toilet, give Fussy 1 Plumbing a call before a small leak turns into wasted water or a bigger plumbing problem.
Fussy 1 Plumbing - Perfection matters.
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