How to Fix Leaky Toilet Tank

1. Turn off the water supply by turning clockwise the shutoff valve that is found below the tank.

2. Drain the tank completely by flushing the toilet and soaking up any remaining water in it using a sponge.

3. Hold one of the tank bolt nuts located on the underside of the tank using an adjustable wrench.

4. Loosen and unscrew the tank bolts inside the tank with a screwdriver.

5. Remove the tank from the bowl and lay it down in a safe place inside the bathroom or in another area of your house. You might need help from another person for this step.

6. Take out the old spud washer, and if it does not budge, try using your wrench to get it to turn.

7. Insert the new spud washer and tighten it over the spud nut.

8. Remove old bolts and gaskets and then clean the areas around the holes on the tank. To scrape off any old gaskets that might remain stuck inside and outside the tank, you can use the wire brush. Remember that you need to make sure the surface on which the new gasket will seat is clean for a proper seal.

9. Place the new gaskets onto the bolts and see to it that they are firmly seated.

10. Insert the bolts through the holes in the inside part of the bottom of the tank. On the underside, reinstall the nuts onto the bolts, gently tightening them by hand until they are snug.

11. Re-install the tank on the bowl. Alternating side to side, tighten the bolts and nuts until the gaskets look like they are evenly and properly seated. For this step, remember not to over tighten the bolts to avoid cracking the tank.

Aside from these general steps, your repair plan for a leaky toilet tank can also focus on the area where the leak specifically occurs. Typically, water leaks springs from the water supply line, tank-bowl assembly and the flapper. If one of these is your situation, then you can fix it with just a few inexpensive parts. For the tools, you will need the following: adjustable wrench, ball-cock assembly, bolt assemblies, tank-to-bowl gasket and sponge.

Fixing the Water Supply Line