Leaky toilets are a major cause of water waste in the home – enough water to fill 2-3 baths can go to waste in a single day (up to 400 litres).
Leaks often go undetected because they only look like a faint trickle against the back of the pan. They’re a particular problem for modern dual-flush systems, and they can add £100s to your water bill.
Read on to find out how you can tell if your loo is leaky, and what to do about it.
How to work out if you have a leak
You can order a free leaky loo strip from us to tell you if you have a leaky loo – simply apply follow the instructions to apply it to the back of the pan. Fill in the GetWaterFit questionnaire to order a leaky loo strip.
If you’d rather use a more homespun method, you can place a piece of dry toilet paper against the back of the pan, just under the rim. Don’t flush the toilet for an hour or so and see if the paper is wet or has been washed into the bowl – if so, you probably have a leak.
What should you do if you have a leaky loo?
If you know your loo is leaky, it’s a good idea to fix it sooner rather than later. If you’re on a meter, this will help bring your bills down. Even if you’re not on a meter, saving water is important – it keeps more in the natural environment and helps to ensure there’s plenty in store for future dry spells. (This is important even in the colder and wetter months – Every Drop Count - Come Rain or Shine page will tell you why.)
Of course, if you know you’re a DIY disaster zone or you don’t have the time or inclination to fix your toilet, you can always call a suitably qualified professional to address the leak. If you feel like having a go yourself, you might find it’s easier than you imagined.
How to fix a leaky loo
Follow these steps to work out the problem and how to fix it.
- If you can, look inside your cistern – is the water level with the ‘tide mark’? This means it’s likely to be a leaking flush valve – you probably need a new outlet washer
- If the water level is above the tide mark, it’s likely to be a fault with the inlet valve – you probably need a new diaphragm washer
- Identify your toilet make and order the component
- Fit the component – check for a manufacturer’s guide or use trustworthy YouTube sources to show you how to do this
- Remember to shut off the toilet water supply using a stop tap by the toilet if you have one, or the main stop tap for your home supply
- Flush the cistern to clear water from the toilet
- Turn your water supply back on
Check your loo for leaks regularly to see if another leak has developed.
Did you know, you can also use your water meter to check for leaks – find out how on our leaks page.
