How can I tell if I have a leaky loo?

Toilets are the cause of one of the most common leaks in the home, with around 1 in 10 homes and businesses having a leaky loo.

A toilet leaking clean water from the cistern to the pan can waste up to 400 litres of water a day (that’s five full bath tubs) and add around £300 a year to your water bill if left unfixed. See more useful facts and figures in this short film from Thames Water: https://play.buto.tv/bJ6n2

The sound of a constant trickle at the back of the toilet pan is an obvious sign that something’s not right. However, some leaks are silent and easy to miss.

To check if you have a leaky loo, contact your local water supplier who may be able to provide you with toilet leak detection strips free of charge.

Alternatively:

• Half an hour after a flush, wipe the back of the pan dry with toilet tissue.

• Place a new, dry sheet of toilet tissue across the back of the pan.

• Leave it in place for up to three hours without using the toilet, or overnight.

• If the paper is wet or torn in the morning – you have a leaky loo.

To save water, money and energy don’t delay in getting your leaky loo fixed. If you need to replace a faulty toilet cistern, think about fitting a dual flush version that will save you several litres of water every time you flush.

Use our postcode search to find a WaterSafe recognised plumber near you.

For further information on being more water efficient, click here.