PROJECTS ONLINE: REPAIRING A LEAK BETWEEN THE TOILET TANK AND BOWL
Project Difficulty:
Moderate Estimated
Project Time: About 2 hours to replace a spud gasket
Tools and Materials:
Sponge
Wrench
Screwdriver
Spud gasket
Tank bolts, nuts, washers
Continual usage can cause the tank bolts to loosen enough to produce a leak at the spud gasket. Use a screwdriver and a wrench to tighten the bolts in order to squeeze the tank firmly against the gasket. If the leak persists, you will need to replace the gasket.
1.
Empty the Tank
First, shut off the water, flush the toilet, and sponge out any water.
2.
Remove the Tank
Disconnect the water-supply line, remove the tank bolts, and lift out the tank carefully (Fig. 1). You may need to hold the nut steady with a wrench from under the tank while you unscrew the bolt inside the tank.
3.
Install a New Spud Gasket
Remove the old spud gasket and install a new one, fitting it over the spud nut. This gasket forms a seal between the tank and the bowl. Reinstall the tank and reattach the tank bolts. (Note: if you have a wall-mounted tank, slip the spud gasket onto the threaded tailpiece located at the bottom of the tank.)
4.
Wall-Mounted Tanks
With some old toilets, the tank is mounted to the wall, and then connected to the bowl with a pipefitting called a flush ell. If a leak develops at either end of the flush ell, tightening the nuts on either with a spud wrench may stop the leak. If not, remove the flush ell and replace any worn parts.
