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Author:
Mgollwit (MA)
I recently removed the toilet to tile my bathroom floor. I have since tiled and reinstalled the toilet but am running into an issue that when I flush I get some substantial leaking where the tank and the bowl connect. There is no leaking on the floor where the bowl connects to the way ring. I have tried everything and can't figure out why. Here is a list of things I have done.
1) Because the flange sat a little lower than the newly tiled floor I installed a spacer so that now the flange sits about a 1/4 inch above the tile. I also removed the old wax ring from underneath the toilet and on the flange.
2) I have completely exchanged all parts inside the tank including flush valve, float, bolts, and refill tube (and yes, I did use an extra thick way ring as well underneath the toilet)
In fact when I ran a test on the tank in my kitchen with all my new parts and filled the tank with water - everything is sealed tight. I get no leaking from the mounted bolts (two holes), nor from the flush valve area. When I put the tank back onto the bowl and filled it with water there is no leaking anywhere! It only happens when I flush!
One more things to add - once I flush and the toilet starts to fill back up the water tends to drain from the tank. This happens very slowly. I am at my breaking point. I did check for any cracks on both the tank and bowl area where the tank sits and don't see anything so I don't think this is the issue but could never completely rule it out. Someone help me!!
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Author:
hj (AZ)
#1 is inconsequential as far as leak between the bowl and tank is concerned
#2 has nothing to do with a leak outside the tank.
You need to remove the tank from the bowl and install a new tank to bowl gasket, and maybe new bolts also.
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Author:
Mgollwit (MA)
Thank you for the response. I did replace the old one but think I may need a thicker (larger one) gasket for more compression.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
As Hj said, you may want to replace the bolts as well. A higher quality bolt set will have 2 bolts, 2-4 rubber washers, 4 steel washers, 2 nuts, and 2 wing nuts usually, or just 4 nuts. The proper configuration is to put a rubber washer on the bolt, then drop through the hole in the tank. On the underside of the tank, place a steel washer and nut and tighten it down directly to the tank, don't mount it to the bowl yet; tighten until the bolt head starts crushing down the rubber washer and the edges of the washer start looking like a doughnut (kinda). Repeat on the 2nd tank hole. Replace the gasket and set the entire tank down on the bowl. Use rubber if included, steel, then wing nut to attach the tank to the bowl and tighten down until the gasket compresses, and the tank doesn't move around. Attach water line and turn on water. Check for leaks around the bolts. Flush the toilet and check for leaks around the tank to bowl connection, use a flashlight so you can see in the recess.
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Author:
Mgollwit (MA)
Thank you. I replaced all the bolts and the gasket as well. When I flush the only leaking that occurs is at the gasket where the tank connects to the bowl. It's so frustrating!!
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Author:
packy (MA)
wrong tank to bowl ???
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Author:
asktom (MT)
If the bolts were a problem the tank would leak all the time (although there is something to be said for changing them while everything is apart). The problem has to do with the tank to bowl gasket (wrong gasket or not aligned) unless the bolts were not tightened evenly/properly.
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
The bolt advice is because it should be done while everything is apart to prevent future leaks. Hj advised changing the gasket in the first response.
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