Leaking toilet

[Mohit Kumar]

Toilet is leaking from this pipe and I’m not really sure how to fix it.
Before going to a plumber I thought I’d come here to get any tips on how to fix it.

Someone came to put a floor in and he moved the toilet when doing this. But since then the toilet started leaking.

 

[CBW]

Which bit is leaking? - connection to toilet, connection to soil pipe or both?

 

[Madrab]

Typical place to leak once it's been moved. The seal in the pan connector hardens over time and invariably won't seal again when refitted. Time for a new pan connector. Just check the size, or take it with you, all the main sheds will carry them - Screwfix/Toolstation/B&Q etc.

 

[Mohit Kumar]

Which bit is leaking? - connection to toilet, connection to soil pipe or both?

I think it’s the connection to the soil pipe, i have placed a little plastic box under the connection from the pipe to the toilet

 

[Mohit Kumar]

Which bit is leaking? - connection to toilet, connection to soil pipe or both?

Typical place to leak once it's been moved. The seal in the pan connector hardens over time and invariably won't seal again when refitted. Time for a new pan connector. Just check the size, or take it with you, all the main sheds will carry them - Screwfix/Toolstation/B&Q etc.

How much would it cost me to get a new pan connector and to fit it in? Is it a costly one?

 

[Madrab]

if the fins have been moved inside the soil pipe then it can be the same issue, the rubber hardens and doesn't want to seal again. You will need to get the whole connector out of the pipe.

Nah, not that expensive, you just need to check if it's a 3 1/2" or a 4" pipe and what length it is.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-macfit-mac-8l-90-wc-long-pan-connector-white-90-112mm/95284

 

[Mohit Kumar]

if the fins have been moved inside the soil pipe then it can be the same issue, the rubber hardens and doesn't want to seal again. You will need to get the whole connector out of the pipe.

Nah, not that expensive, you just need to check if it's a 3 1/2" or a 4" pipe and what length it is.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-macfit-mac-8l-90-wc-long-pan-connector-white-90-112mm/95284

Is that the diameter measurement that I’m going to need to check? If so, how do I do that exactly? & once bought is it easy enough to put it in myself or shall I call someone in to do it? I’ve never done this and I don’t really want to get it wrong

 

[Madrab]

Yes, check the diameter of the soil pipe that the connector fits into, it will be either 110mm (classed as 4") or 82mm (classed as 3 1/2") and check the length against the old one.

Rubber gloves on - Pull the old connector off the toilet pan spigot and then out of the soil pipe, clean the toilet spigot and inside the soil pipe as clean and as dry as possible. Push the new connector into the soil pipe until the pan connector end lines up with the toilet pan spigot and then just push it fully on. Flush and check for leaks.

 

[Mohit Kumar]

Yes, check the diameter of the soil pipe that the connector fits into, it will be either 110mm (classed as 4") or 82mm (classed as 3 1/2") and check the length against the old one.

Rubber gloves on - Pull the old connector off the toilet pan spigot and then out of the soil pipe, clean the toilet spigot and inside the soil pipe as clean and as dry as possible. Push the new connector into the soil pipe until the pan connector end lines up with the toilet pan spigot and then just push it fully on. Flush and check for leaks.

Thank you so much for helping, I’ll see what I can do then!

Also another thing, the toilet only seems to be dripping when it’s sat on, but by the looks and sounds of things it isn’t dripping when it’s flushed or unused. I’m not sure why that is?

 

[Mohit Kumar]

Yes, check the diameter of the soil pipe that the connector fits into, it will be either 110mm (classed as 4") or 82mm (classed as 3 1/2") and check the length against the old one.

Rubber gloves on - Pull the old connector off the toilet pan spigot and then out of the soil pipe, clean the toilet spigot and inside the soil pipe as clean and as dry as possible. Push the new connector into the soil pipe until the pan connector end lines up with the toilet pan spigot and then just push it fully on. Flush and check for leaks.

Thank you so much for helping! I’ll try and see what I can do then.

Also another thing, the toilet only seems to be leaking when it is sat on, but when it’s flushed or is just left on it’s own it doesn’t sound like it’s leaking? I’m not sure why that’s the case to be honest

 

[CBW]

Also another thing, the toilet only seems to be leaking when it is sat on, but when it’s flushed or is just left on it’s own it doesn’t sound like it’s leaking? I’m not sure why that’s the case to be honest

Judging by your photo, it appears that the actual pan isn’t screwed down, which will create movement every time you sit/get up from. This will eventually cause the pipe to leak when flushed.

 

[Madrab]

yep, @The Novice has hit it on the head, if the toilet isn't fixed to the floor then the movement can cause the connector to leak especially if the connector is old.

If the guy fitting the floor moved the toilet then he should have ensured it was refitted properly or had someone in to make sure it was.

 

[HERTS P&D]

If you do call someone out, give it a clean first!

Andy

 

[Mohit Kumar]

@Madrab and @The Novice I think I’ve found a what the actual issue is and it’s not leaking from the pipe at all. But I will still look into improving that area of the toilet. It’s leaking from the part that connects the tank to the seat. The water drops from there every time someone sits on it so I’m guessing whenever someone sits down the seat gets pushed down leaving a small opening in the tank where the screw is meant to be fully fastened? But I’m not fully sure. I’m going to try tightening that part first and I’ll see what happens i guess

 

[Mohit Kumar]

Definitely! I think a lot of the dirt came from when the tiles were removed to be honest