Toilet leak repair in Hamilton is about stopping waste fast. A small leak can move hundreds of litres a day and raise your bill. At Hamilton’s 2025 usage rate of about $2.34 per cubic metre, even a modest leak adds real cost over a month. One cubic metre equals 1,000 litres, so the math is simple and local.
We focus on silent leaks and constant running, not clogs or backups. You will get quick tests, clear next steps, and real numbers. When you want it fixed, our licensed team can inspect, replace the right parts, and confirm a proper seal.
What it is costing you right now
Use this table to estimate the cost of a running toilet in Hamilton. It uses the current local usage rate and typical leak volumes.
| Leak size example | Litres per day | Cost per day | Cost per month | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very small tick of the fill valve | 30 L | $0.07 | $2.11 | $25.62 |
| Small silent leak past the flapper | 60 L | $0.14 | $4.21 | $51.25 |
| Noticeable trickle with occasional refills | 120 L | $0.28 | $8.42 | $102.49 |
| Common slow runner many homeowners ignore | 200 L | $0.47 | $14.04 | $170.82 |
| Medium constant run you can hear | 400 L | $0.94 | $28.08 | $341.64 |
| Heavy constant run into the bowl | 1,000 L | $2.34 | $70.20 | $854.10 |
Numbers based on $2.34 per cubic metre and 1,000 litres per cubic metre. Your bill also includes fixed charges that are separate from usage. Check Alectra for more details.
Five minute confirmation
- Add three to five drops of food colouring to the tank. Do not flush. If colour appears in the bowl within twenty minutes, the flapper is leaking.
- If the tank water line sits above the mark or the valve keeps hissing, the fill valve is not shutting off.
- If the floor around the base feels damp after you dry it, the wax ring or bolts may need service.
What to do next
- Flapper leak confirmed. Replace the flapper and set about one centimetre of chain slack.
- Fill valve will not shut off. Replace the valve and set the float to the marked fill line.
- Moisture at the base. Plan a wax ring replacement and check floor condition.
The parts that fail and the fast fix
Most running toilets come down to two parts. The flapper and the fill valve. A few checks and a simple swap usually solve it.
Flapper
The flapper seals the tank. Rubber wears with chlorine and age. Three to five years is common life. If colour from a dye test shows in the bowl within twenty minutes, the flapper is leaking. Match the new flapper to your valve style. Set chain slack to about one centimetre. Total time is ten to fifteen minutes.
Fill valve
The fill valve stops water at the marked line. If the water sits above the line or the valve hisses, lower the float. If the level still creeps up, replace the valve. Set the float so water stops about two and a half centimetres below the top of the overflow tube. Total time is twenty to thirty minutes.
Flush valve seat
If a new flapper still leaks, the seat may be pitted. Use a flapper with a soft seal or install a repair kit. This adds fifteen to thirty minutes.
Handle, lever, and chain
A tight chain holds the flapper open. A loose chain can land the flapper crooked. Aim for one centimetre of slack. Confirm that the handle arm moves freely and does not rub the lid.
Wax ring and base
Moisture at the base after drying points to a wax ring issue or loose bolts. Snug the bolts gently. If moisture returns, plan a wax ring replacement. If you prefer a technician, our toilet repair services include new rings and a base reseal.
What parts cost
A quality flapper often costs $10 to $25. A fill valve often costs $30 to $60. A wax ring often costs $10 to $20. Small parts, big savings in water.
Do it yourself steps that solve most leaks and when to call
These fixes take under 45 minutes for most homeowners. Keep a towel and a small bucket nearby.
Shut off and drain
Turn the stop valve beside the toilet to off. Hold the handle down to drain the tank. Sponge the last water from the tank so parts stay dry and easy to handle. This prep takes three to five minutes and prevents slips.
Replace the flapper
Unclip the old flapper. Wipe the valve seat clean. Fit the new flapper and set about one centimetre of chain slack. Turn water on and let the tank fill. Do a dye test. If no colour appears in the bowl after twenty minutes, the seal is good. Most flapper swaps take ten to fifteen minutes.
Replace the fill valve
If the valve hisses or the water rises above the fill line, swap the valve. Remove the supply tube under the tank. Spin off the lock nut and lift the old valve out. Fit the new valve, set height to the mark, hand tighten the nut plus a quarter turn, and reconnect the supply tube. Set the float so water stops about two and a half centimetres below the top of the overflow tube. This step takes twenty to thirty minutes.
Re test
Listen for silence. Mark the water line with a pencil. Check again after 15 minutes. No movement means the repair is sound. Flush three times to confirm a clean close each time.
When to hand it off
- The shutoff valve will not turn or will not stop the water.
- The floor feels soft around the base or the ceiling below shows staining.
- The tank or bowl has a hairline crack.
- You replaced parts and the tank still loses water.
Book our toilet repair services for a same visit diagnosis and fix. If you also see moisture at the supply line or under the tank, our leak repair team can address fittings and seals at the same time. You can Book Online in under a minute.
Tip box
Keep a spare flapper in the vanity. Test with food colouring every six months. Aim for one centimetre of chain slack. Set the float so water stops at the marked line. These small habits keep water use low and prevent surprise bills.
Age and condition
Age and condition decide whether a repair or a replacement makes the most sense. Use the table to choose the right move for your toilet and your water bill.
Quick guide
| Toilet age | Common condition | Typical fix | When to replace | Water savings example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 5 years | Worn flapper or sticky fill valve | Swap flapper or fill valve, adjust float | Visible crack or repeated leaks after fresh parts | Keep your unit. Parts are low cost and quick to install |
| 6 to 12 years | Multiple minor leaks, tired hardware | New flapper and fill valve together. Check handle and chain | Tank hardware corroded, valve seat pitted, sweat drips in humid weather | Stay with repair unless parts keep failing |
| 13 to 20 years | Repeated silent leaks, parts hard to source | Full rebuild kit or consider upgrade | Porcelain hairline cracks, soft floor at base, stains on ceiling below | Replacing a 13 litre per flush toilet with a 4.8 litre per flush model can save about 20 to 30 litres per person per day |
| 20 years plus | Frequent run on, mineral scale, weak flush | Short term rebuild only if porcelain is solid | Best to replace with a high efficiency model | A family of four moving from 13 to 4.8 litres per flush at five flushes per person per day saves about 168 litres daily |
Example
A two person home with an older 13-litre unit at five flushes per person per day uses about 130 litres just for flushing. A 4.8 litre model brings that down to about 48 litres. That is an 82-litre daily reduction. Over a year that is roughly 30,000 litres saved.
Decision tip
If you have replaced both the flapper and the fill valve within the last twelve months and the toilet still runs or refills on its own, plan a full repair kit or a replacement. Our team can quote both options during a single visit through toilet repair services and handle the work the same day when possible. If you notice moisture at the supply or under the tank, our leak repair service can address fittings and seals at the same time.
What we do in order
Here is how a typical visit unfolds so you know what will happen and how long it takes.
Arrival and diagnosis
We confirm the symptoms, check the floor around the base, and look inside the tank. We run a quick dye test, set the float to the line, and listen for hissing. We also check the shutoff and supply tube. This takes about fifteen minutes. If you have photos or notes on when the leak began, show them to the technician at the door.
Parts and repair
If the dye shows in the bowl, we replace the flapper and set one centimetre of chain slack. If the water sits above the line or the valve hisses, we replace the fill valve and set the stop level about two and a half centimetres below the overflow. If the base shows moisture after drying, we plan a wax ring swap. Most repairs finish within thirty to sixty minutes.
Confirmation tests
We mark the water line in pencil, wait fifteen minutes, and confirm no movement. We flush three times and confirm a clean close each time. If the leak was silent and long standing, we also check for staining on the ceiling below.
Time and result table
| Task | Typical time | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis and testing | 15 minutes | Confirmed cause and a clear plan |
| Flapper replacement | 10 to 15 minutes | Silent seal with proper chain slack |
| Fill valve replacement | 20 to 30 minutes | Correct stop level and no hiss |
| Wax ring and base reseal | 45 to 75 minutes | Dry base and stable bowl |
| Final checks and tips | 5 to 10 minutes | Maintenance steps and a written summary |
Tips we leave behind
- Keep a spare flapper in the vanity and test with food colouring every six months.
- Set phone reminders for spring and fall to do the dye test.
- Show everyone in the home the shutoff location so you can stop water quickly if needed.
Conclusion
Toilet Leak Repair in Hamilton stops wasted water, lowers bills, and protects floors and ceilings. Even a small silent leak can waste about two hundred litres a day which adds up to tens of thousands of litres in a year. Most repairs are simple. A new flapper, a correct float setting, or a fresh fill valve usually solves it in under an hour. Act within two days if you hear a steady hiss, see the tank refilling on its own, or notice moisture at the base.
For fast, local help, contact Greg’s Plumbing & Heating, 69 Bigwin Rd Unit 1 Hamilton ON • 905 928 6831 • admin@gregsplumbing.ca.
FAQ: toilet leak repair Hamilton
How do I know I need Toilet Leak Repair in Hamilton
Listen for a steady hiss, watch for the tank refilling on its own, or do a dye test. Add three to five drops of food colouring to the tank and wait twenty minutes without flushing. If colour appears in the bowl, the flapper leaks. Book toilet repair services if the dye test is positive or the tank keeps refilling.
How much water can a running toilet waste
Small silent leaks often waste sixty to two hundred litres per day. A clearly audible run can push four hundred litres or more per day. That adds up to thousands of litres each week. Repairing the leak usually takes under an hour and pays for itself quickly.
Should I replace the flapper or the fill valve first
Start with the flapper if the dye test shows colour in the bowl or the chain looks tight. Replace the fill valve if water rises above the marked line or the valve hisses and does not shut off. Many older toilets benefit from replacing both at once to avoid repeat visits. We stock both parts on our trucks for toilet repair services.
Why does my tank refill at night when no one used it
That is usually a slow leak past the flapper that drops the tank level until the float triggers a refill. A new flapper and correct chain slack of about one centimetre usually solves it. If the refill continues after a new flapper, the valve seat may be pitted and needs a different seal or a repair kit.
Water is pooling at the base. Is that the same as a running leak
No. Pooling at the base points to a wax ring or loose bolts. Dry the area, wait five minutes, and check again. If moisture returns, schedule leak repair. We can reseal the base and check the subfloor during the same visit.
Is it worth upgrading my old toilet instead of repairing it
If your unit is more than twenty years old or uses thirteen litres per flush, a modern four point eight litre model can save twenty to thirty litres per person per day. For a family of four that is roughly twenty thousand to forty thousand litres per year. We can repair today and quote a replacement so you can compare both options.
How long does a professional Toilet Leak Repair in Hamilton take
Diagnosis usually takes fifteen minutes. A flapper swap takes ten to fifteen minutes. A fill valve swap takes twenty to thirty minutes. A wax ring reseal takes forty five to seventy five minutes. Most homes are back to normal within one visit.
Do you offer same day service in Hamilton and nearby communities
Yes. We serve Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Burlington, Grimsby, Binbrook, Caledonia, and Niagara Falls. Use Book Online for the next available slot or call 905 928 6831. For urgent water rise or active leaks, use emergency plumbing.
Can I prevent future leaks after the repair
Yes. Test with food colouring every six months, keep a spare flapper in the vanity, and set the float so water stops at the fill line. If you notice the tank refilling on its own, act within two days. Early action keeps bills low and protects finishes.