When a toilet leaks, it’s important to respond to the matter as soon as possible. After all, this common plumbing problem can cause extensive damage to your home and excessive water use. Sometimes, you can spot the issue if there’s water dripping or spraying from the equipment. But in many cases, the clues aren’t as obvious. If you’re concerned about your commode, here are a few common ways to tell you have a toilet leak.

How to Tell if Your Toilet Is Leaking

1. Listen to the Tank

If you hear water running in the tank long after you’ve flushed, there’s likely a leak preventing it from filling up. Typically, this type of problem is connected to the flapper valve. Replacing it, fortunately, is a simple and effective solution.

2. Check Your Water Bill

Even if a toilet leak is small, the water waste it causes could end up bringing up your average utility costs. If you’ve noticed that your water bill is climbing higher for no apparent reason, this problem may be to blame. Since high water bills can be connected to leaks anywhere in the home, it’s best to have a professional inspect all household plumbing to see if any other leaks are contributing to the issue.

3. Conduct a Food Coloring Test

An easy way to check for toilet leaks is to place a few drops of food coloring in the tank’s water. If the food coloring makes it into the toilet bowl without flushing, there’s likely a leak in the tank that should be repaired.

4. Look at the Floor  

Major toilet leaks may produce puddles of water at the base of the equipment. However, smaller leaks may not produce visible moisture. Instead, water will gradually damage the flooring over time—causing it to warp or develop a yellow stain. If the bathroom is on an upper level of the home, water stains may develop on the ceiling underneath the toilet.

5. Monitor Strange Smells   

While bathrooms can occasionally have unpleasant odors, you should be wary of any that smell like raw sewage. When small leaks form in the wax ring or toilet pipes, sewage gases—such as methane—can escape into the air and produce a tell-tale smell. Since these gases are potentially harmful to human health, it’s essential to have the issue repaired immediately.

Whether you’re facing a leak or a clog, Buck's Plumbing & Sewer Service is here to keep your toilet in top shape. Equipped with advanced tools, these Putnam County plumbing professionals can quickly detect complex or hidden problems and provide reliable solutions to keep the flow moving. In addition to standard repairs, this contractor also offers extensive services to Cookeville, TN, customers—including re-piping, septic cleaning, and sewer line installation. Visit this plumber online to learn more about these capabilities or call (931) 528-1157 to request immediate assistance anywhere in the Upper Cumberland region.