Water Leaking Around Your Toilet? What to check & What to Do
Richard Moyle Plumbing since 1983
Have you noticed water on the floor around your toilet?
Water around a toilet can come from several different places, including the toilet cistern, isolation tap, flexible hose or seals around the toilet. Finding where the water is coming from can help you determine what to do next and whether you need to turn the water off while waiting for a plumber.
Here are a few simple checks you can safely do at home.
Is the Toilet Leaking Into the Bowl?
Not all toilet leaks end up on the floor. Sometimes water can continuously leak from the cistern into the toilet bowl without being easy to see or hear.
If you think this may be happening, visit our How to Check if Your Toilet Is Leaking guide for a simple DIY test and video demonstration.
How to Check if Your Toilet Is Leaking
1. Check the Toilet Isolation Tap and Flexible Hose
Look at the small isolation tap beside your toilet and the flexible hose connecting it to the cistern.
Check for:
Water dripping from the isolation tap
Moisture around the tap connections
Water running down the flexible hose
Rust, corrosion, bulging or deterioration of the flexible hose
If you can see water leaking from this area, the toilet water supply may need to be isolated.
How to Turn Off the Water to Your Toilet
If your toilet is leaking from the cistern, isolation tap or flexible hose, turning off the toilet isolation tap can help stop the water flowing and minimise further water damage while you wait for your plumber.
In this short video, Richard from Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting demonstrates how to locate and safely turn off the toilet isolation tap in your home.
Watch Plumber Richard demonstrate how to isolate the water supply to your toilet.
If the isolation tap is working correctly, gently turn it off to stop the water supply to the toilet.
If the leak is minor, place a towel and small container underneath the leaking area while you arrange for a plumber.
If the leak is significant, cannot be controlled, or the isolation tap isn't working, you may need to turn off the water at your property's main water meter.
How to Isolate Your Water Meter
2. Check Around the Toilet Cistern
If the isolation tap and flexible hose appear dry, check the toilet cistern.
Carefully feel around the underside and connections of the cistern for moisture.
Water leaking from around the cistern may be caused by deteriorated seals, washers or other internal toilet components.
Dry the area thoroughly and place some clean toilet paper underneath or around the suspected area. This can make a slow leak easier to identify.
If the paper becomes wet again, there is likely a leak that needs further investigation.
3. Check Around the Base of the Toilet
If you are finding water around the base of the toilet, thoroughly clean and dry the floor first.
Place clean, dry toilet paper around the base and then check it again after the toilet has been flushed and used.
Water appearing around the base may indicate a problem with a seal or connection, but there can be several possible causes. A plumber can inspect the toilet to determine exactly where the water is coming from before carrying out repairs.
What Should You Do if Your Toilet Is Leaking Onto the Floor?
Don't leave an active toilet leak unattended.
If possible:
Turn off the toilet's isolation tap if the leak is coming from the water supply or cistern.
Place towels or a container around the leaking area to help protect the floor.
Regularly check the area until the leak has been repaired.
Contact a licensed plumber to identify and repair the cause.
If water is escaping quickly and you cannot isolate the toilet individually, turn off your property's main water supply.
Can't Find the Leak?
If you've checked your toilet and can't find a leak, but your water meter continues to move when no water is being used, there may be a leak somewhere else on the property.
Our guide How to Check for a Concealed Water Leak explains some simple checks you can do before calling a plumber.
How to Check for a Concealed Water Leak
Need Help With a Leaking Toilet?
Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting can inspect and repair leaking toilets, cisterns, isolation taps, flexible hoses and toilet seals.
Our maintenance plumbers service Logan City, Gold Coast North, Brisbane Southside and surrounding areas, including Beenleigh, Yatala, Ormeau, Pimpama, Coomera, Eagleby and Waterford.
If you're unsure where the water is coming from, give our team a call.
‘Get Moyle’s to do it’
📞0447 671 095
Emergency Service available - Maintenance Plumber - Emergency Plumber
