Toilet Help needed!

[jnesmith]

Noticed a slow leak. Located it at the fitting on the left underside of the tank, where the water enters. I attempted to tighten the plastic screw fitting thingy, but it snapped with just a little pressure. Then, it really started to leak. (Can you hear my wife screaming? I sure can).

Anyway, got it all turned off and cleaned up. Here's a pic of the problem spot. Any thoughts on whether I should attempt to DIY it, or suck it up and call the man?

[LCHIEN]

Noticed a slow leak. Located it at the fitting on the left underside of the tank, where the water enters. I attempted to tighten the plastic screw fitting thingy, but it snapped with just a little pressure. Then, it really started to leak. (Can you hear my wife screaming? I sure can).

Anyway, got it all turned off and cleaned up. Here's a pic of the problem spot. Any thoughts on whether I should attempt to DIY it, or suck it up and call the man?

toilet problems aree usually pretty easy to fix.
Looks like the plastic got old and tired or maybe was overtightened when installed originally. Trying to tighten more just broke it completely.

You can get all those parts (they come with a valve replacement kit), in fact I usually throw them away when I install a new valve since the old nut is already on the pipe. You can probably get the nut and rubber bushing separately. The pipe may need replacing as the installers sometimes get creative with them. Usually the man in plumbing at the box sotres or ACE can help you get the parts.

A pair of slip-joint pliers is usually the only tool I need for this./

[Knollskid]

Easy fix, go to your favorite big box store and get a flexible braided toliet hose connector with probably a 3/8 inch fitting on the other end. They come in various lengths. I try to get them long enough that I can make on loop in the hose and connect it. pretty easy. Oh yeah, turn off the water first then flush and hold down the handle until as much water as possible has drained out of the tank.... Hand tighten the fitting that connects to the tank, also, hand tighen the fitting to the shut off then just tighen with a wrench about a half a turn more.

Goog luck.

KR

[jnesmith]

Thanks guys. I'll go see the friendly hardware man. I may be back with more pics and Q's.

Thanks again!

[wreckwriter]

It should be very simple, just replace the fitting and the line. Don't over-tighten

[Tequila]

Easy fix, go to your favorite big box store and get a flexible braided toliet hose connector with probably a 3/8 inch fitting on the other end. They come in various lengths. I try to get them long enough that I can make on loop in the hose and connect it. pretty easy.
KR

This is the way to go - I've seen fittings leak like yours did because a toilet or pipe shifted a little bit, and the connection couldn't move to accomodate it. If you replace the pipe with a hose, it will be flexible enough to move without breaking the seal.

[parnelli]

It should be very simple, just replace the fitting and the line. Don't over-tighten

That's a good one for anything on a toilet. Years ago my BIL was installing a brand new one and over tighted the connector that goes thru the porcelain. Put a hairline crack in the tank that leaked the minute you put water in it.

Back to the BORG for another one!

Snug does it with porcelain!

[Russianwolf]

You can bet if that plastic cracked that the plastic inside is probably due to be replaced also. Buy a new Float kit while your at it and change it all at one time. Save you the need to redo it down the road.

You'll be out $10 for the Float kit and $5 for the braided hose. Use teflon tape on the connections and you'll be good for another 15 years.

[jnesmith]

I'm golden. A 12" flex hose is all it took. Screwed right onto the fitting on the underside of the tank, and to the shut off valve.

Thanks so much everyone. Probably saved me a $100 house call.

[wreckwriter]

I'm golden. A 12" flex hose is all it took. Screwed right onto the fitting on the underside of the tank, and to the shut off valve.

Thanks so much everyone. Probably saved me a $100 house call.

Glad it worked out. Be sure to check it once in a while for a few days. I always do after I change anything plumbing related....

[scorrpio]

Have to say though... call me old-fshioned, but I just have a hard time trusting plastic on pressurized water lines. Whenever something plastic breaks like that, I always replace it with brass... Costs a few $$ more, but I am fairly sure I won't have to replace it again in my lifetime.

House inspectors also seem to consider brass fittings a sign of quality plumbing.

[jnesmith]

Have to say though... call me old-fshioned, but I just have a hard time trusting plastic on pressurized water lines. Whenever something plastic breaks like that, I always replace it with brass... Costs a few $$ more, but I am fairly sure I won't have to replace it again in my lifetime.

House inspectors also seem to consider brass fittings a sign of quality plumbing.

I kinda felt the same way. However, I doubt we will be in this house more than another 2-3 years, so hopefully I'm good at least that long.

[ted van halen]

Glad it worked out. Be sure to check it once in a while for a few days. I always do after I change anything plumbing related....

LOML & I have been in our new house 6 mos. now. I checked every sink, toilet, washing machine, Frig, dishwasher..... once a week for 4 mos. Found a couple of small seeps early on that needed snugging. I still look ocassionally just because I'm OC like that.