A properly installed high-quality toilet can last for several decades without requiring expensive repairs or maintenance. But sometimes, under the toilet, at the junction of the bowl with the drain tank, you can see small pools of water on the floor. The reason for the appearance of such puddles can be the wear of the sealing gum. In order to eliminate the malfunction, an urgent replacement of the gasket between the parts of the toilet will be required. Despite the apparent complexity of the design, this process is not difficult to cope with. You can do this work yourself and do without spending money on a specialist.
However, before proceeding with the replacement of the gasket, other possible causes of water accumulation under the toilet should be excluded: cracks in the tank, malfunctioning pipes, unreliable fastening at the connection point of the pipe supplying water to the tank, as well as the accumulation of a small amount of liquid may occur due to condensation appearing on the hose or the surface of the tank. If, after checking, other possible causes of the leak are not identified, and the problem really lies in the gasket, you should start replacing it.
Description and purpose
The gasket is a plastic part. It is necessary in order to ensure tightness at the junction of the 2 parts of the toilet bowl with each other. Such a gasket can be located in a special hole both on the cistern and on the toilet bowl. The peculiarity of toilet rubber bands lies in the functions they perform, the main ones of which include the following:
- ensures tightnesspreventing water from the tank from falling on the floor during flushing;
- serves as a shock absorberpreventing the parts of the toilet bowl from touching each other, protecting against chips and cracking;
- ensures reliable connection - thanks to the elastic material, the connecting pad absorbs small displacements of parts relative to each other, preventing them from slipping.
To understand that the gasket has become unusable, you can only after disassembling the toilet. Therefore, after dismantling and removing the sealing gum, it should be visually inspected. Certain factors may indicate the need for replacement.
- Rigidity … The new pad is soft to the touch and squeezes easily between your fingers. But constant contact with water can lead to a deterioration in the initial characteristics - the material coarsens, which leads to a leak.
- Cracks or breaks. Water can seep through them onto the floor. Over time, even minor cracks will grow larger. Therefore, even the presence of minor damage of such a plan requires replacing the seal.
- Deformation of the gasket. If the appearance of the part does not correspond to its original state, then the tightness of the joint will be broken when using a damaged rubber band. Therefore, if bends or concavities are visible, then it is necessary to replace the connecting part.
- Long service life of the toilet … If this period is more than 5-7 years, then the connecting and sealing parts require preventive replacement.
Species overview
The stores have a large selection of toilets. They not only differ in manufacturers, shape, material of manufacture, but also have different components. Therefore, if you need to replace the gasket while visiting the store, it is better to have a sample taken from the toilet. Its presence will help to accurately select a new spare part and will save you from going back to the store.
If there is no way to remove the old rubber band in a complete state, then it is necessary to visually determine its parameters. The main indicator that distinguishes these parts from each other is their shape. They are round, oval, trapezoidal. Tapered gaskets for intake and exhaust valves are less common.
They are installed only on new models of plumbing.
Round
This form is the most common. Round seals installed on most of the older toilets.
Oval
Oval spacers are also used in many sanitary ware models domestic production.
Such samples can be easily purchased at any plumbing store.
Trapezoidal
A similar type of sealing rubber is installed on new models of imported toilet bowls … In shape, such spacers resemble a triangle with truncated corners.
Others
This type includes rare conical gaskets and products made in the form of a multi-contour figure.
Such parts are installed on expensive Italian or German plumbing fixtures.
What are they made of?
In addition to configuration, all gaskets can be classified according to their material of manufacture. Let's describe the most common options.
- Rubber. These gaskets are the cheapest and most common. Black rubber gaskets are usually round or oval. But the wear resistance of rubber is low, and the appearance of microcracks on this material is possible after 1–2 years of operation. Therefore, rubber gaskets will require more frequent replacement than other types.
- Silicone seals. They are used by modern plumbing manufacturers. This material has high wear resistance and excellent elasticity. Therefore, it provides more reliable waterproofing and a longer service life.
- Polyurethane gaskets. They are of the highest quality and most expensive in comparison with other types. But, besides this, polyurethane gaskets provide reliable insulation for the entire life of the plumbing. And their replacement may be required only in case of mechanical damage to the sealing part.
How to choose?
To buy a new toilet seat gasket, you need to contact a plumbing store … In most of them, there are common models of rubber bands of various sizes, made of rubber or silicone. Polyurethane gaskets can be purchased from your authorized dealer's store, depending on which toilet model you have installed.
It is better if the gasket is original, made by the same manufacturer as the toilet bowl. But if the original model is not available, then you can purchase a universal gasket. Universal seal models are most often presented on the market by Santek or Cersanit. The gaskets of these brands are made of high quality materials, suitable for most models of toilet bowls.
You need to select the right rubber band in accordance with the sample or model name of the toilet. When buying, you should pay attention to a number of important points.
- Exact match with plumbing sample or model. Even a slight deviation from the original sample can lead to a loose fit, resulting in leaks.
- No damage or scratches on the surface of the product. When buying, you should slightly stretch the gasket, squeeze it between your fingers. If the spare part is tough to the touch or has a manufacturing defect, you should refuse to purchase it.
How to change?
When purchasing a new toilet gasket, you must remove all packing materials and stickers from it. Then you can start replacing. Before starting the dismantling process, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- wrench or adjustable wrench;
- pliers;
- protective gloves;
- cleaning cloth.
Then you need to start disassembling the toilet. To replace the gasket, the bowl must be detached from the cistern. To do this, follow these steps:
- shut off the water supply;
- using a wrench and pliers, disconnect the water supply hose from the tank;
- drain the water through a special valve;
- unscrew the clamping screws located on the shelf of the toilet bowl;
- remove the tank, determine the location of the gasket;
- remove the damaged gasket;
- use a rag to clean the installation site of the gasket from dirt and moisture;
- put a new seal;
- connect the tank to the bowl, making sure that the parts do not move relative to each other, and the gasket remains in place;
- tighten the clamping bolts;
- connect the water supply hose;
- turn on the water.
After the performed manipulations, it is necessary drain and fill the tank with water several times.
If no water leaks at the junction, then the gasket is installed correctly.
You can find out how to install a toilet cistern on a toilet with your own hands below.