Town of Banff

Test for Toilet Leaks

Toilet tank leaks waste a lot of water. And many home owners don't even realize they have a problem.

Toilet leaks can waste as much as 28 bathtubs full of water every month. That could be costing you $100 a year, and adding significantly to our burden on the environment.

You can test your own toilets for leakage easily. We suggest you do this test every 6 months, and make simple repairs if you find a leak. It's not a difficult test, just follow these simple steps and help stop the waste:

• put a few drops of food colouring into the toilet tank
• wait a few minutes
• if the water in the toilet bowl changes color you have a leak
  

Fixing a leaky toilet is no big deal either. Most leaks are the result of a worn out toilet flapper, which can be replaced within minutes. If you're handy you can do it yourself by taking your old flapper to the hardware store to find the right replacement. If you’re not handy, consider calling a plumber.