Toilet bowl seal is leaking

[bdickson]

I have a Thetford toilet with one pedal. The rubber seal around the "ball valve" appears to be damaged. The small amount of water left in the bowl after flushing is draining away after 30 minutes or so. How hard is it to replace this seal?

[KIX]

Very easy..........

[rsha]

Originally Posted by bdickson

I have a Thetford toilet with one pedal. The rubber seal around the "ball valve" appears to be damaged. The small amount of water left in the bowl after flushing is draining away after 30 minutes or so. How hard is it to replace this seal?

The two problems are in related. Seal leakage is one problem, bowel leakage is another problem. IMO, go to camping world and buy a new one.

[H.Huester]

Incredibly easy to change!

Turn off water pressure.
Remove cover on front of pedestal.
Remove clamp holding bowl to pedestal (bolt is usually in the back).
Remove old seal - there are two pieces and a bevel on the rubber - pay attention to the orientation.
Install new seal.
Reconnect bowl clamp.
Reinstall cover on pedestal.
Tun on water.
Fill with some water and check sealing action.

If you have luxury of time, they are cheaper online. One time I called the manufacturer about a leaking seal and they sent me a free seal - no charge.

[clyon51]

Yep, very easy to change. *IF* the toilet is older, you may want to inspect the ball for any heavy scratches. If they are bad it can still leak with a new seal, don't ask how I know that

Sometimes the seal/ball will get a buildup of calcium/lime on them. Letting the water leak off then adding vinegar and allow it to leak off a few times will stop the leak.

[danes-on-tour]

If the rubber seal appear damaged it is probably time to replace it. If it doesn't appear damaged but "just" leaks water out of the bowl, then try this first:

Go to Lowes and buy a small tub of plumbers grease Shop GUNK .5 oz Pipe Joint Compound at Lowes.com. Rub some grease on the seal and the curved lid.

Our toilet will "leak water" after around 2 months of use, but the "leak" is cured after this 30 second job.

[tomwalt]

Some easy cheap things to try:
1st - Turn off the water supply and step on the pedal to open the toilet.
Put on gloves. Clean the seal where the valve enters with a thin (but not sharp) tool (a golf tee works - don’t drop it)
Reach under the top seal and pull gently up all around the seal's circumference - all the way around several times. Release the pedal and then pour a pan full of hot water into the bowl and let it sit until cool.
If that doesn't work:
2nd - Add some cooking oil (couple tablespoons) to a dry toilet bowl. Let it sit over night then fill bowl 1/2 way with water. Seal may swell enough to seat.
3rd - If that doesn't work, Go to Lowes/Hope Depot and get some silicone plumbers lube. Put your gloves on – re-clean the seal and Lube the seal with the silicone lube (basically repeating step 1 and add the silicone).

[kb7uxe]

Mine was leaking on an 18 yr old toilet. I thought major job..
I could not have been more wrong..
new seal kit was about $38. and about 1/2 hour time it was done.
Super super easy... now it does not leak, solids now have enough water drop on them they dilute and move out of the way so it doesn't collect directly under the toilet. So an easy fix turned out to be a very good thing after all. . Mine took 1 screw driver.. super easy.

[Chuck 1935]

QUICK FIX.
1, Use Toilet.
2, Flush toilet
3, Add some water to empty toilet.
4, After 30 minutes, check to see if there is still water in bowl.
5, If bowl is empty.
6, Close Lid, say [moderator edit]
7, Have an Adult beverage of your choice, and forget about it.

Works for me !!

[gasman28110]

Ours was leaking and I poured some vinigar in the bowl,let sit. After the third time the calcium was off of the ball and all was well.