Of course, no plumbing fixture can work forever, but not every breakdown is hopeless. For example, if your drain tank does not hold water, you do not have to immediately call a specialist or go to the store for a new product - you can try to fix the device yourself. The main thing is to find out the cause of the malfunction. Next, we will look at the most common breakdowns that cause the tank to leak water, and tell you what to do to fix them.

Float problems

If water does not stay in the tank and constantly flows out through the overflow tube, it is highly likely that the problem is related to a malfunction of the float or its lever. Most often the following breakdowns occur:


Advice. For proper operation, the float lever should be located approximately 20 mm below the hole from which water is supplied to the tank.

Pear malfunctions

The bulb is, at first glance, a simple, but rather problematic element of the cistern: if it fails, leaks cannot be avoided. There may be several reasons for this negative phenomenon, but in practice there are two most common:

  1. Loss of elasticity. A pear is primarily a rubber device, and as you know, over time, rubber that is constantly in contact with water loses its performance properties: it becomes less elastic and even hard. As a result, the contact of the pear with its saddle is disrupted, and cracks are formed through which water flows out. There are two ways to correct the situation: if the deformations are insignificant, try additionally weighting the pear with a pair of stainless nuts - they will allow the element to come into closer contact with the saddle, but if the pear has been serving for quite a long time, there is only one way out - replacing the product.
  2. Plaque on the saddle. The bulb may have poor contact with the saddle not only as a result of loss of its elasticity, but also due to corrosion of the saddle itself. The cause of poor fit in this case is deposits of rust and hard water salts. The fix is ​​easy: just clean the seat.

Advice. The best way to remove dirt from the pear saddle is to use sandpaper.

Stop valve failure

Another set of problems that may cause the cistern to not hold water concerns the condition and functioning of the shut-off valve. It is not difficult to make sure that malfunctions arose precisely because of this device: open the tank lid and press the valve with your hand - if water continues to flow into the toilet, it means that the shut-off element does not hold it. There may be two reasons for this: either the rubber gasket has worn out, or debris has collected under the valve.

Regardless of the cause of the malfunction, the valve will first have to be removed. Next, it needs to be freed from dirt and all kinds of deposits. To be safe, it is also better to clean the drain hole. Then you need to change the rubber gasket. When these simple steps are completed, install the valve in place.

If, after servicing the shut-off element, it still does not hold water, it means that the valve itself has become unusable. Here your only option is to completely replace the device.

Stop valve

Deformation of the siphon membrane

Finally, another frequent failure, due to which water can flow continuously from the tank into the toilet bowl, is a violation of the siphon membrane. In this case, the problem will only be corrected by replacing the membrane with a new one, since the old one cannot be repaired. The procedure is performed according to the following scheme:

  • Drain all the water from the tank so that during further actions it does not leak onto the floor.
  • Attach the float arm to the cross bar to block the water supply. For example, you can remove the lid of the cistern, fasten a wooden stick in its place and tie a lever to the latter.
  • Unscrew the nut that secures the drain pipe to the tank.
  • Unscrew the nut that secures the siphon to the float lever - it is usually located at the base of the tank.
  • Remove the siphon and replace the deformed membrane. Keep in mind that the new part must have exactly the same dimensions as the old one.
  • Reassemble all the elements of the tank in exactly the reverse order.

As you can see, there is nothing overly complicated in diagnosing and correcting breakdowns of the drain tank - most of the problems can be quickly and inexpensively solved with your own hands. So we advise you to carefully study common problems and tips for eliminating them - perhaps your tank does not hold water for precisely one of the reasons mentioned?

What to do if water leaks from the tank into the toilet: video

The toilet tank does not hold water: photo






If a broken tank lets water through, it not only causes inconvenience in the operation of the structure. An additional expense item will be a large volume of leaking water. In more serious cases, such problems lead to a flood in the apartment.

Plumbing fixture installation

Before you fix a leaking toilet with a button, you need to understand the entire device. The design of a conventional household toilet consists of a bowl and a cistern. The latter device can be attached to the toilet step, mounted separately on the wall or embedded on a special frame.

The cistern works according to this principle:

  1. when the drain button is pressed, the shut-off valve rises;
  2. water receives free flow into the cavity of the toilet bowl;
  3. through evenly distributed holes under the rim of the bowl, the water flow washes the entire cavity around the perimeter;
  4. when all the water has left the tank, another valve opens, allowing pressure from the cold water supply pipe to the apartment;
  5. The level of collected water in the tank is regulated using a float.

Under the tank lid there is the fittings of the entire device: a float to control the level of collected water, seals and levers for supplying and cutting off the water flow.

The shut-off valve is responsible for the water supply. It is attached to the path of connecting the hose for supplying water to the tank. Its operating system includes a float and a membrane.

Tanks with economical water consumption require the presence of two buttons in their device - for small and large drainage. The operating mechanism is no different from standard tanks.

Preparing plumbing for repairs

At the first stage, the tap supplying water to the container is turned off. Depending on the installed taps, you can deprive the entire apartment of water or turn off the flow only to the tank. If the water shut-off mechanism is damaged, then there is a risk of causing a flood in the apartment.

At the second stage, open the tank lid. Here you need to carefully consider the available latches. If the structure is broken by force, it will be difficult to find a similar cover (plumbing stores sell completely assembled kits, not individual components).

Before you start repairing a leaking toilet with a flush button yourself, you need to prepare the necessary tools:

open-end wrenches of several sizes;

  • screwdriver;
  • pliers;
  • tape with adhesive backing for insulation.

Eliminating persistent leaks

Any model of tank is equipped with a system that collects water and a drainage device. If the container is not filled to the required level, water constantly flows into the bowl or even overflows from the top, then the problem lies in the water accumulation or drainage systems.

A possible problem lies in the bulb, which does not fit tightly enough to the drain hole. In this case, a small load is hung on the pear.

Water does not flow into the tank container

This problem occurs when debris gets into the narrow part of the valve device. First you will need to drain all the water from the tank. Remove the valve with lever and float completely. Then you can see the clogged hole. Through this passage, water is drawn into the reservoir. You can clean out the debris with a thin wire or a sewing needle.

The valve on the inlet fitting is slightly unscrewed and the inside is washed with a stream of water. If, after removing the blockage, water flows without obstacles, then you can screw the clamp back and reassemble the entire mechanism.

Troubleshooting a flush tank with a push-button mechanism

The tank button is responsible for draining water into the bowl itself. After the draining process is completed, the float remains at the bottom of the device. The shut-off valve also comes to this position, opening a hole for water to enter. As water enters the tank, it raises the float. Under this action, the lever also begins to move.

Rising to the desired level, the lever and the float device occupy a certain position. In this case, the shut-off valve tightly covers the through hole of the pipe and water stops flowing.

If a toilet tank with a flush button on the lid is leaking, then you need to do the following:

  1. Find the retaining ring located around the drain button.
  2. Press the button all the way and unscrew the plastic stopper.
  3. Remove the cover and begin repairs.

The button locking devices are made of plastic. Excessive mechanical stress on this element can lead to damage to the device.

Water can flow in a continuous stream and constantly flows from the installed tank onto the toilet step with a button. In this case, you need to check the position of the float. To do this, open the tank lid and level the floating element.

In another case, water may constantly leak into the bowl due to an open hole in the drain pipe. You can check the version by clicking on the pear. If the jet stops, the reason has been clarified. The problem is solved by weighing the pear - by hanging additional weight.

If the rubber bulb in the shut-off valve device fails, the tightness of the entire tank structure is compromised. The solution to the problem is to replace the damaged element. To do this, the float is brought to the upper position and fixed in this state. Unscrew the connecting nut from the container and remove the mechanism. Remove the worn bulb from the valve and install a new one.

The new pear should be chosen as softly as possible. In this case, the dimensions of the products must match.

Check the fixing bolts for the bulb.

If they also become unusable, then you should purchase new ones and install them:

  • water is completely removed from the tank;
  • between the valve near the float and the liner there is a union nut that needs to be unscrewed and removed;
  • the ear-shaped clamps of the tank to the toilet shelf are unscrewed;
  • slightly tilting the tank back, carefully remove the rubber connecting layer between the container and the installed toilet bowl;
  • damaged bolts are removed;
  • the area of ​​earthenware under the pear is well cleaned of accumulated plaque and dirt; the shelf and top of the tank are also washed;
  • if an old pear is installed back, then silicone must be applied to its surface for a tighter connection with the hole;
  • all elements of the tank are installed in their place, and fixed with bolts;
  • the connecting cuff is installed in its place;
  • water is pumped into the tank several times in a row to fully check the result of the work.

If only one fixing bolt has become unusable, then you still need to buy both. These elements must be the same in structure and length.

Overflow problem

If a water leak is detected in the tank through the overflow hole, and restoring the position of the lever does not help, then check the condition of the fixing pins. The unusable element can be replaced with a piece of copper wire. The thickness of the broken and new elements must match.

If the hole where the pin was placed is no longer round, then the valve will have to be replaced. It is important to purchase a completely similar new item.

You hardly pay attention to the plumbing if it works smoothly. But you become wary if the toilet starts to leak or make unusual sounds. And there is every reason for this, because a leaking toilet is a serious thing, it can cause a lot of trouble not only for you, but also for the neighbors below. To avoid having to explain yourself about flooding, you need to regularly check the performance of your plumbing. And if a leak does occur, then you need to act immediately before it leads to serious consequences.

Condensation can form because the water and air in the room have different temperatures or because the drain tank has failed.

Sometimes condensation appears At once after installing the toilet and this is eloquent evidence of the low quality of the product. So let's look at a few examples that can help you understand the cause of the problem.

  1. It happens that the water does not drain from the tank for two to three hours, which is why it heats up to the air temperature. In this case, the condensation disappears, but provided that the tank is working normally.
  2. Sometimes the hood is to blame, but then there must be condensation on the pipeline. Examine it.

The condensation problem can be solved in one of the following ways:

  • reduce the frequency of draining the tank;
  • reduce humidity in the house;
  • raise the temperature of the water entering the cistern.
  • change the tank itself, but only if you are firmly convinced that it is faulty.

Video - What to do if the drain tank is leaking?

As you can see, the reasons for a toilet leak can be very diverse, so each individual case requires an individual approach. If you encounter something new, then do not be afraid. It often only takes a few minutes to detect the problem. As a last resort, you can always contact a specialist - a plumber. And the last thing: regularly check that the drainage and water supply are working properly– timely detection of malfunctions will save you from many problems related not only to money.

The cuff under the shelf is the weak point of the toilet

"Tool" for universal repair

In this publication we will look at:

There are many reasons why a toilet tank leaks - it could be due to a simple breakdown or simply a negligent attitude towards the duties of the technician who installed the toilet. Somewhere, a screw could have been clamped insufficiently or the rubber gasket was simply installed incorrectly. In general, there are many nuances and one way or another they will have to be eliminated. In this article, together with the website, we will look at the causes and places of the most likely formation of leaks, and also learn how to eliminate them with our own hands.

Repair of toilet cistern photo

The toilet tank is leaking: the reasons why water ends up on the floor

There are two weak points through which liquid can leak out of the toilet tank and cause a lot of trouble for owners and neighbors - it can leak through the gasket installed between the tank and the toilet itself or through the holes for the screws that connect the two parts of the compact. In both cases, the cause is almost always either the design features of the toilet (the tank does not fit tightly onto the bowl and over time it becomes loose, which leads to a leak) or improper installation of the sealing gasket.

The toilet tank is leaking: possible problems

There are other options - for example, a dry gasket included in the kit. By installing it, the master lays a time bomb. But let’s start in order and consider each of the possible places where leaks may occur separately.


Toilet cistern repair photo

These are, in principle, all the places where a leak can occur between the tank and the toilet. As you can see, eliminating it is not so difficult, the main thing is to understand what you are doing. It is for this reason that when repairing a toilet cistern with a button, pay special attention to disassembly - when disassembling something, we study the design and purpose of the device’s parts. This will make it easier to understand the principle of operation of the tank and determine its malfunction.

The video clearly shows how to repair a toilet tank if it is leaking.

Toilet cistern repair: causes of internal leaks and ways to eliminate them

What is meant by internal leakage of the toilet cistern? This is when the water from it does not flow out and onto the floor, but flows into the toilet in a constant trickle or stream. Such a malfunction does not threaten a flood, but it does affect water bills. A trickle of water continuously flowing into the toilet in a month, as a rule, results in cubic meters, which you will have to pay extra for. What to do with such leaks? How to eliminate them?

Here the whole point is in a faulty water supply valve - in the float, or rather in the shut-off mechanism itself. It does not completely shut off the water - this happens in most cases, but sometimes the cause of this phenomenon may be an incorrectly configured overflow pipe of the toilet cistern. Also, such behavior of the shut-off valves of the drain tank can be caused by a malfunction of the drain mechanism itself. Repairing and eliminating these problems needs to start with the simplest thing - by checking the correct adjustment of the overflow tube. Try to raise it a centimeter higher and observe the behavior of the shut-off valves - if the water rises again and flows into the tube, then the problem is in the float valve.

What to do if the toilet cistern is leaking

You need to find the plastic nut, which is located at the base of the float attachment to the toilet tank, and unscrew it - this is where the rubber band responsible for shutting off the water is located. We take it out and rinse it thoroughly under running water. We do the same with the part of the float where it stood - we remove all the debris from there. After that, put the elastic band back in place and tighten everything as it was. It should help - if not, you will have to buy a new rubber band and install it in place of the old one.

Repair of a toilet cistern with photo button

And the third reason why the tank can constantly leak water into the toilet is due to incontinence of the flush mechanism. Simply put, the drain valve does not close completely. The reason may be hidden either in the debris that has gotten under the valve, or in the valve itself, which over time, like all rubber, dries out and no longer fits tightly to the drain hole. In the first case, the edges of the drain hole will have to be thoroughly cleaned, and in the second, the valve rubber will have to be replaced.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you that after repairing the shut-off valves of the toilet, it will not be amiss to perform a high-quality adjustment of the float and overflow - only by establishing their coordinated work, you can sleep peacefully and no longer wonder why the toilet tank is leaking?

The mood of the owners and the thickness of their wallets depend on how well the home plumbing works. If a faucet is leaking in the house, or water is constantly flowing in the toilet, the situation clearly requires qualified intervention. Probably, a more rational solution would be not to pay huge bills on the meter, enriching the local water utility, but to try to figure out why the water is leaking in the toilet and decide how to fix the leak. At the same time, there may not be so many fatal causes of the malfunction that you panic and call a plumber.

What could be causing the leak?

There can be only four main faults that cause water to leak from the tank into the toilet:

  • Malfunction of the shut-off system of the main valve, which holds the required volume inside the tank;
  • A crack in the plastic or brass fittings connecting the tank and the toilet;
  • Failure of the float system;
  • Abnormal operation of the shut-off valve that regulates the flow of water from the water supply to the tank.

For your information! In addition to the options listed, another reason why water leaks into the toilet may be a crack in the plastic or ceramic wall of the tank.

This is the most unpleasant and difficult case to diagnose, since repairs will usually require replacing the tank; sealing and sealing the crack is almost impossible. But such cases occur, as a rule, once in a million; in addition, in such conditions, water flows from the tank into the toilet and onto the toilet floor.

In 99 cases out of 100, the location and problem due to which the toilet tank is leaking can be quickly established experimentally; for this, you do not need to disassemble the structure, as plumbers on duty like to do, in order to show how to fix the toilet. It is enough to remove the top cover and carefully inspect the lifting mechanism of the main valve, float and shut-off valves. After you observe the operation of all the parts, fill the water three or four times and flush it into the toilet, it will become clear what to do, why the tank is leaking, and how to repair it.

Do-it-yourself diagnostics and repairs

Oddly enough, but according to statistics, the main reason why a toilet usually begins to leak is not the breakdown of any specific part, for example, the valve locking needle, but the usual jamming of the lifting mechanism of the main valve.

Lifting mechanism stuck

The complexity of this malfunction lies in the fact that when the lever or flush button is pressed, in 5 cases the system works normally, and in one case the main bulb or poppet valve, blocking the toilet window, freezes. After the main charge is flushed, some of the water continues to flow out of the tank in a thin stream until the float closes the valve, or the drain system is used again and the main valve bulb snaps into place. The valve is located at the bottom of the mechanism, and you can evaluate how complete the closure is only by pressing the guide rod with the bulb all the way with your hand. If after pressing the water does not leak, then the source of the problem has been identified.

The cause of this malfunction is usually:

  1. High salt content in water. The plaque deposited on plastic parts can cement any, even expensive, imported mechanism;
  2. Factory defect or extreme wear of the mechanism;
  3. Incorrect adjustment or assembly of drain fittings.

Advice! To check the correctness of the diagnosis, you can press the button ten to twenty times and observe the operation of the mechanism; if in at least one case the valve is frozen, it means that water is leaking due to it.

Fixing the problem is very simple - you need to remove plaque from most of the parts and observe the operation of the toilet flush for 24 hours. If water is leaking, then you need to look at the valves and the float that activates them.

Often, the lift can freeze due to the poor quality of the mechanism itself. For example, the presence of burrs or casting flash leads to a barely noticeable jamming of the rod with a gap of a fraction of a millimeter, through which water leaks in a volume of up to 30 liters per hour.

Inspecting the valve and float of the drain system

The second most common reason why water often leaks in the toilet tank is a malfunction of the shut-off valve. Why water leaks when the main valve is closed can be understood from the video

When the container is filled with water, the float raises the needle drive lever, and the latter closes the inlet hole inside the valve. If the float has lost its buoyancy, then it is impossible to close the entrance, and then water flows into the toilet in a thick, steady stream, without reducing power for many hours. If you remove the lid, you can see that the container is filled almost to the brim, the float has sunk, and the excess overflows through the hole in the central drain pipe. To repair, you just need to replace the float with a new one.

It's worse if the float floats, the needle lever is raised, and the inlet is not blocked. In this case, you will need to inspect the valve body; perhaps the plastic is cracked and water is leaking through the crack. Sometimes the locking needle or the shaft on which the lever rotates becomes deformed, rusts and fails. In this case, as with the lifting mechanism hanging, water may leak from the tank in a thin, barely noticeable stream. To check the operation of the valve, it is enough to drain the main mass and lift the valve lever by hand to the operating position.

If water leaks through the joints or seal, then you can simply repack the valve at the mounting location. To do this, the housing is screwed off by hand or with a wrench from the inlet fitting, blown out, cleaned of dirt, and after winding the threads with a sealing tape-fuel, carefully screwed back until it stops.

In older models, the valve was cast from brass or plumbing bronze; the service life of such a device was calculated to be 10-15 years, but in reality they served for 30 years. Such a valve needs to be repaired and put in place; water leaks through such constipations once every hundred years. In all other cases, the shut-off valve must be replaced.

To avoid getting into a situation where a toilet that is leaking water will add up to three months' worth of water in a couple of days, experienced craftsmen always advise paying attention to periods when the water in the house is turned off. Especially if the riser pipes are old and rusty, or the neighbors are doing renovations on the floor below.

In such a situation, rust and scale easily come off the walls of water pipes and clog both the shut-off and drain valves. At first, water begins to ooze out in tiny portions, but after a week it flows in a steady stream.

Main locking element of the tank

The main valve, also called a bulb, is designed to discharge water into the toilet in one burst. In older designs, the body was made in the form of a thin-walled rubber hemisphere, softly and tightly fitting to the seat. Even if the base was slightly deformed during operation, the thin-walled pear could adapt to the changed profile. In such a system, water leaks only if large pieces of scale, dirt, or limescale get under the valve.

In modern designs, the main valve is made in the form of a round rubber plate. Often during assembly it is necessary to trim and clean the surface of the new valve to ensure the best possible seal. Over time, the rubber ages, and as a result, water leaks from the tank more and more every day. Therefore, in order to prevent a situation where water begins to leak on an almost new tank, craftsmen install a valve made of special white rubber that does not age in water.

Checking the operation of the main valve is quite simple; you need to turn off the water and fill the tank to the required level. A column of water presses the rubber valve to the seat and prevents water flow from leaking. If water does appear, the rod can be lightly pressed with your hand. If water continues to leak under such conditions, it means that it is necessary to change the valve rubber or check the condition of the seat on which the shut-off element rests.

In rare cases, it does happen when the seat ring loses its seal due to a crack or seal failure. For example, you can inadvertently lean on the tank with force, and a day later you find that water is leaking in the toilet, although everything was fine before. In this case, you will need to dismantle the drain mechanism, unscrew the valve support ring and replace it with a new one.

Conclusion

Sometimes know-it-all plumbers resort to an old trick. Instead of replacing the valve rubber, they put a pair of old automotive roller bearings on the stem. The weight of such a load allows you to increase the pressure on the valve, and water stops leaking. Usually the repair ends there. A year later it is discovered that water is leaking as before. After inspecting the tank, it turns out that the bottom is covered with a thick layer of rust from rotten bearings. Therefore, such options can only be recommended as a necessary measure for a short period of time.