That trickling sound after every flush? It’s not harmless background noise. A leaking or running toilet can waste up to 700 litres of water per day — that’s like flushing money straight down the drain.
Across Bayside suburbs like Brighton, Sandringham, and Hampton, older toilets, worn seals, and high water pressure are the most common causes. Let’s break down what’s really happening and how to fix it.
1. The Silent Leak (The One You Don’t See)
Many leaks happen inside the cistern, where water slowly escapes into the bowl. You’ll never see a puddle, but your water meter won’t stop spinning. A simple test: add a few drops of food colouring into the cistern and wait 10 minutes. If the bowl water changes colour, you’ve got a leak.
Common causes include:
- Perished flush valve seal letting water seep constantly.
- Worn flapper or rubber gasket that no longer seals.
- Misaligned float or fill valve keeping the tank from shutting off.
2. The Constantly Running Toilet
That ongoing trickle or refilling noise means your toilet’s trying to stop a leak it can’t. Left unfixed, this can wear out your inlet valve and flood the overflow pipe.
Fixing it involves inspecting and adjusting the float height and replacing the inlet valve assembly. A licensed plumber can do this in under an hour, using high-quality parts rated for Australian water pressure.
Learn more about water ratings here.
3. External Leaks — The Hidden Floor Destroyers
If you see water around the toilet base, don’t ignore it. The wax or rubber pan collar that seals the toilet to the drain may be leaking, allowing wastewater to seep into the floor. This can rot timber, damage tiles, and attract mould — especially in older Beaumaris and Cheltenham homes with subfloor bathrooms.
Replacing the seal and reseating the toilet properly prevents long-term structural damage.
4. When to Replace Instead of Repair
Sometimes the problem isn’t worth fixing:
- Cracked porcelain or leaking cisterns
- Multiple failed repairs within a year
- Outdated single-flush systems wasting water
In those cases, a modern dual-flush toilet offers better efficiency, quieter operation, and long-term savings.
5. The Ezy-Plumb Repair Process
When we repair a toilet, we don’t guess. We:
- Inspect every seal, valve, and joint.
- Pressure-test the inlet line.
- Replace faulty seals and washers with WaterMark-approved parts.
- Clean, reassemble, and retest for complete sealing.
Every job includes a fixed-price quote and guaranteed workmanship.
👉 Call Ezy-Plumb for fast, reliable service across Bayside Melbourne
We service Brighton, Sandringham, Hampton, Cheltenham, Beaumaris, St Kilda, Caulfield, and Mentone.
6. Why It Matters
Leaks don’t just waste water — they wear down your fittings, increase your bills, and can lead to compliance issues with Victorian Building Authority standards.
Bayside homes often feature older pipework and fittings that need modern seals and valves to handle current water pressures. Fixing them early avoids bigger plumbing failures later.
FAQs About Toilet Leaks
Why does my toilet keep running even after flushing?
Your inlet valve or float assembly is likely faulty or misaligned.
How can I tell if my toilet is leaking silently?
Try the food-colouring test in your cistern — it’s quick and accurate.
Do leaking toilets increase water bills significantly?
Yes. Even small internal leaks can add hundreds of dollars per quarter.
Can Ezy-Plumb replace my entire toilet?
Absolutely. We supply and install modern dual-flush units with WaterMark certification.
