Plumbing – How to repair a toilet that leaks at the tank/bowl connection

plumbing

My toilet began leaking onto the floor. I have put plumbers putty around the two screws at the bottom (I think this is most likely the place it is leaking onto the floor – especially since the screws appear to be rusty – I think toilet is from 1994 when house was built) and I have put putty around where the tank empties into the toilet. I have done this twice, but I did not remove the putty I put in first. I think those are the only three places it could leak. I have to keep the toilet off because if I allow the tank to fill, I have a cup or two of water at the end of the day. What do you recommend I try next? Thanks

Best Answer

The washers inside the tank can leak, and the body of the valve that empties the tank to bowl can crack, making tightening the gasket pointless. There is a nice set of tank to toilet bolts on Amazon that are solid brass, and have extra nuts and washers so that you can seal the upper tank independently of squeezing the tank to bowl connection.

You can get very affordable toilet rebuild kits that supply all of the necessary hardware to eliminate all leaks except for the bowl to floor connection.