Repairing a Leaking Tank

Everyone has a leaking pipe or plumbing eventually, and one of the more interesting leaks to fix is a leaking toilet tank. Luckily, repairing a leaking tank is a really easy task to accomplish. All you need to do is gather together a few tools, materials, and have a couple of hours to do the work. As you are accomplishing this task, make sure that you do not get flustered, as you are more than likely going to get a little dirty and wet. In the end, the project will be worth it, since you will have saved some serious money by not having to deal with a plumber.

Materials:

• Two adjustable wrenches
• Screwdriver
• Small wire brush
• Spud wrench
• Flush valve gasket
• Fill valve
• Gaskets
• Spud washer

Procedure:

1. Identify the leak. Typically a leaking tank will be due to one of three causes: the fill valve, the tank itself, and a problematic spud washer. As long as you don't have a cracked and leaking tank, then you can simply fix the other problems by following these steps. If the tank itself is cracked, then you will need to replace it.
2. Turn off the water. Once you have identified where the leak is at, turn off the water supply to the tank. This will allow you to work without having any risk of a huge mess.
3. Drain the tank. Drain your tank by flushing the toilet until no more water comes into the tank itself.
4. Remove the tank. Remove the tank by using a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench to unlatch all of the bolts from the inside of the tank. Once you have removed the tank bolts, gaskets, and so on, remove the fill valve itself. Do this by simply unscrewing everything. Make sure that all the parts are clean, and scrub with white vinegar if necessary. After you have removed everything, remove the tank from the toilet stand.
5. Replace the spud washer. Look where the toilet tank and the stand met. There should be a gasket that connects these two items. This is called the spud washer. Use your spud wrench to help remove this item, and take it to your local home improvement store to ensure that you get the correct replacement. Place the new spud washer where the old one was located.
6. Restore everything. Put everything back together. Once you have replaced all of the bolts, nuts, and the fill valve, turn the water supply back on. Take this opportunity to ensure that your work is complete, and there are no more leaks. If you still find yourself with a leak, then you have not tightened everything like it should be. Double check to ensure that all gaskets, bolts, and so on have been replaced, and then test again.