[zeekha]

Hi, I had a toilet that was seeming to flush itself and the tank was spraying the water up which was causing it to trickle down the side of the toilet and soak the floor. The toilet is on the second story, and I can see directly underneath is when I am on the first floor.

I replaced the entire toilet last week, but since then, I still see a little bit of dripping from what seemed like directly beside the toilet drain pipe (looking from underneath) and I can hear intermittent trickling. I noticed today that this new toilet is now flushing itself. So it leads me to believe it's not the toilet, but possibly the drain pipe, or maybe some valve attached to it?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. :vs_worry:

 

[jmon]

Sounds like the water is still slowly draining from the tank. You could put some die in the tank. if you see it in bowl, you found your problem.

Even though it's brand new, check the flapper, canister or fill valve for proper operation. Sometimes a small adjustment is needed on the chain connecting the flapper to make a better seal, also check and adjust fill valve if needed so it doesn't run down overflow tube causing ghost flushing. Just a couple suggestions to try.

 

[joed]

There is no way a drain line can cause the water to start flowing in tank. It could be the source of your drip however.

Is the toilet level?

 

[zeekha]

Sounds like the water is still slowly draining from the tank. You could put some die in the tank. if you see it in bowl, you found your problem.

Even though it's brand new, check the flapper, canister or fill valve for proper operation. Sometimes a small adjustment is needed on the chain connecting the flapper to make a better seal, also check and adjust fill valve if needed so it doesn't run down overflow tube causing ghost flushing. Just a couple suggestions to try.

I will be reinstalling the toilet tonight so I will check all of those things. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[zeekha]

There is no way a drain line can cause the water to start flowing in tank. It could be the source of your drip however.

Is the toilet level?

I didn't notice it being out of level, but I will check it again tonight. Thanks

 

[jmon]

You may also have a problem with the wax seal/flange area leaking. But that wouldn't cause ghost flushing.

 

[zeekha]

You may also have a problem with the wax seal/flange area leaking. But that wouldn't cause ghost flushing.

We bought a new wax seal to replace so we will try that.. it's just odd that I didn't install the original toilet, but we are getting the same problem with a brand new toilet.

I can usually hear trickling from underneath the toilet - sounds like it's trickling into the drain pipe. It must be flushing when it's leaked for a while and the water gets too low. Not sure what the leak outside the drain pipe is from..

 

[AllanJ]

"... tank was spraying the water up ..."

Check inside the tank. There is usually a thin tube from the fill assembly to the tank overflow safety hole to add some water to the bowl after each flush. If this tube is aimed incorrectly or has come loose, it could spray water off in a random direction that might result in the water going between the tank rim and the lid and then drip down onto the floor.

 

[zeekha]

Check inside the tank. There is usually a thin tube from the fill assembly to the tank overflow safety hole to add some water to the bowl after each flush. If this tube is aimed incorrectly or has come loose, it could spray water off in a random direction that might result in the water going between the tank rim and the lid and then drip down onto the floor.

The old toilet was spraying up. I assume it was hitting the lid and rolling down the side of the toilet, creating a big leak coming through the ceiling on the main floor. Since replacing the whole toilet, I haven't noticed it spraying up in the thank, and the leaking has been reduced to droplets that seem to seep through the floor about 1/2in away from drain pipe (looking up from underneath). The droplets are somewhat constant and produce a palm-sized puddle by evening.

There must be a leak somewhere because I can hear trickling, sounds like it's coming from inside the drain pipe. And I was told the new one flushed itself, probably when the water level got too low from leaking.

 

[joed]

I think the flushing or more correctly refilling, is because the tank is draining. I don't see how a new tank could be draining unless you got a defective new toilet. Usually the flapper is the issue for this one.
If your water pressure is high the shutoff valve could be leaking and over filling the tank. That would cause the trickle sounds but would not account for refilling.

The leak is likely the wax seal at the bottom. It could also be the seal between the tank and the bowl. However that one would likely show up as water on the floor.

 

[Nestor_Kelebay]

Besides a leaking flapper valve, a toilet tank will drain if there is a crack in the overflow spout of the flush valve. Shine a flashlight down that spout and see if you can see water leaking into it. If so, you need to replace the flush valve to correct the problem.

 

[AllanJ]

The bolts used to hold the tank to the bowl might not have been correctly installed.

This could cause leaking from the bottom of the tank.

Carefully smooth over any rough edges around the bolt holes both inside and underneath.

The order of parts should be bolt head then rubber washer, then inserted into the tank, then metal washer, then a nut.Tighten the nut well although not with stupendous force.

Now test fit the toilet tank on the bowl. The nuts should not touch the bowl; if they do then you need to take them off and go buy new thinner nuts.

After both bolts are so prepared, put the center gasket (spud gasket) in place and set the tank onto the bowl. Add a rubber washer and then a metal washer and then a nut, usually a wing nut.