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 Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: mjb4385 (OH)

I recently installed new tank bolts to fix a leak that I figured to be coming from said bolts. After removing and reinstalling the tank (and replacing the tank to bowl gasket), I've now got a leak near the new gasket that I installed. Water seems to slowly dripping from the tank down the sides of the gasket. If you bend down and look in between the tank and the bowl, you can see beads of water on the rubber gasket. Could it be the wrong gasket? Or maybe the tank is just not tightened down enough?

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: hj (AZ)

It could several things, even the tank to bowl bolts if you put metal washers between the rubber washer and the bolt head inside the tank.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: mjb4385 (OH)

You're saying *not* to use a metal washer inside the tank (for reference, I didn't)?



Edited 1 times.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: bernabeu (SC)

correct

order of parts (looking down into tank and 'counting' away from yourself):

large head BRASS tank bolt
rubber washer
(tank bottom)
s/s washer
nut
(toilet)
rubber washer
s/s washer
nut

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: hj (AZ)

Doing that is the most common cause for a leak like you have.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: packy (MA)

it only leaks around the big rubber washer when the toilet is flushed. if there is a constant drip it is from the bolts/s.
use a nut driver to tighten the nuts. push down on the tank as you tighten..

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 Thanks all smile
Author: mjb4385 (OH)

Thanks all. It's extremely difficult to tighten the nuts that connect the tank to the bowl as they're in a recess and difficult to access, maybe that could be the issue.



Edited 1 times.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: mjb4385 (OH)

So I went home and looked again on my lunch break. The leak is definitely NOT coming from either of the bolts. Water is very slowly seeping between the tank and the tank-to-bowl gasket. Could this be an issue with the flusher valve seat?

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: srloren (CA)

Are you sure you tightened the tank to the bowl enough? Those bolts sqeeze the foam gasket to seal the tank to bowl connection. Caution, do not over tighten it and make sure you followed the instructions from the Union Plumber for the order in which to install the bolts, rubber and SS washers and nuts. Very important! If you follow those instructions you should be able to stop the leak. Good luck

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: bernabeu (SC)



while this is the 'cut' for a Toto toilet, the tank mounting is 'generic'

#5 gives the proper sequence for ANY tank mount using 'through bolts'

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: packy (MA)

Could this be an issue with the flusher valve seat?...
put some food coloring in the tank and let it sit for a while.
if the flusher valve seat is letting water leak by, the color will show up un the bowl.
this may also help pinpoint the leak..

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: hj (AZ)

WE use one set of nuts to fasten the bolt to the tank, then the other ones to fasten it to the bowl.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: hj (AZ)

quote; make sure you followed the instructions from the Union Plumber

????? I have known a lot of "union plumbers" who I would NOT trust to give any one instructions.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: hj (AZ)

You have too much time on your hands.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: bernabeu (SC)

smiling smiley



tongue sticking out smiley

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638



Edited 1 times.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: mjb4385 (OH)

I'm at a loss here. I took everything apart, bought a new bolt kit and tank to bowl gasket, and put everything together in accordance with what everyone has described above. I'm still seeing water seeping down the tank to bowl gasket. The bolts and nuts are as tight as I can get them without cracking the tank. Basically, when I bend down and look in the gap between the tank and bowl, there are drips of water on the gasket. Could it be the wrong gasket? Could it be a faulty flusher valve seat? Help!!

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: packy (MA)

in order to get you any more information, the problem has to be identified. guessing at solutions can only go so far if the problem could be one of many...

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: SwimRunPlumb (MI)

You may have tightened the bolts too much, thus cracking the tank? A hairline crack is difficult to see sometimes, and leaks as you are describing.

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 Re: Toilet leak near tank gasket
Author: mjb4385 (OH)



There it is in all its glory. Ideas? I've grid new bolts and 2 different gaskets.



Edited 1 times.

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