This one needs a licensed pro
A leak that will not stop, or a cracked tank. Call a plumber now
Water that pours, sprays or keeps coming, a leaking shutoff valve or a cracked tank needs a plumber, not a dry towel.
Why this happens
Bob Vila says a hairline crack or chip that lets even a few drops seep out can become a much bigger problem if it is not dealt with right away. This Old House says that colored water outside the tank, in a dye test, can come from tank cracks or faulty plumbing. Korky warns that overtightening tank hardware can crack the porcelain. For that reason, do not tighten anything to try to stop this kind of leak.
What to do right now
- Before you go near any valve, look at where the water is going. If it is reaching an outlet, plug, cord, switch or light, including a light in the ceiling below, do not touch it or flip the switch and call an electrician. Ready.gov says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water, and to turn off the electricity only if it is safe to do so. Touch a breaker only if you are on a dry floor with nothing electrical wet, and open only the panel's hinged door. If you cannot do that, stay back and call an electrician and a licensed plumber. If nothing electrical is wet, go on to the next step.
- If the water is coming from the shutoff valve itself, do not turn that valve. Go straight to the main water supply and shut it off by hand, without forcing it.
- Otherwise, turn off the toilet's own supply stop by hand. If it will not turn, do not force it. Shut off the main water supply instead, also without forcing it.
- Mop up the water and keep the toilet out of use.
- Do not tighten bolts or nuts to try to stop a crack or a gushing leak.
- Call a licensed plumber and say how the water is coming out.
When to stop. If the water will not stop with the toilet's own stop closed, or the stop will not turn, shut off the main water supply without forcing it and call a plumber right away.
What to tell the plumber
- Whether the water pours, sprays or drips, and where it starts.
- Whether you can see a crack or chip in the tank.
- Whether the toilet's own supply stop turned, or whether you had to shut off the main.
- Whether water has reached the floor, an outlet or the ceiling below.
Build the full list: what to tell the plumber.
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