Three Tell Tale Signs of a Leaky Loo

A leaky loo can waste between 215 and 400 litres of clean water daily. It is estimated that up to 8% of UK toilets are currently leaking, leading to the wastage of 400 million litres of water every single day! 

According to Waterwise: ‘Fixing leaky loos could contribute at least 10% of the additional water capacity needed to cope with an extreme drought in England.’ In addition, fixing your leaky loo could significantly reduce your water use and your bill. 

The good news is that it’s often easy to spot a leaky loo. Here are the three signs to look out for…

1. Listen to your Cistern

Do you hear a trickling or hissing noise from your toilet cistern? Does your toilet flush spontaneously when you haven’t activated it? If you hear noises coming from your cistern when you haven’t activated the flush, you could have a leaky loo.

2. Look into Your Toilet Bowl

If you have a leaky loo, there may be a steady stream of water running from the cistern into the toilet bowl. Sometimes, the stream of water can be virtually imperceptible. If you can’t see a stream of water, look for ripples on the surface of the water which can be a tell-tale sign that there is a leak.

3. Pay Attention to Your Water Bill

A leaky loo is known to waste many litres of water per day. If you notice a marked increase in your water use and your water bill, it would be a good idea to check for a leaky loo. Watersafe explains that: ‘A toilet that is constantly leaking clean water from the cistern into the pan can waste around 200 to 400 litres of water a day and could add around £300 a year to your water bill if left unfixed.’

Next Steps…

If you think that you have identified one or more signs of a leaky loo, take a look at our blog which helps with fixing a leaky loo. It offers two ways of making a definite diagnosis. And also gives advice on products to opt for if you find that you need to replace your flush or fill valves. 

If you are unsure of how to fix your toilet, always consult a trusted local plumber.