A leaky toilet can waste around 200 gallons of water a day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and lead to higher utility bills if left unchecked. Fortunately, a simple DIY fix could stop the leak and save you money.
A video featuring journeyman plumber Taylor Freeman showed how to handle two common culprits without calling for costly help.
The scoop
In a tutorial posted by SharkBite Plumbing (@SharkBitePlumbing), Freeman walked the viewers through replacing a worn-out flapper and faulty fill valve, the most frequent sources of tank leaks.
The hack begins with shutting off the water supply and flushing the toilet to drain the tank. From there, it involves swapping the old flapper for a new one. Then, he undid the supply line and the nut holding the flush valve in place to remove the fill valve.
Once done, Freeman secures the replacement fill valve with its locking nut. Finally, he reattaches the water line and tests the flush to make sure everything worked smoothly.
The repair didn't require special skills — just a basic wrench, a bucket, a new flapper, and a fill valve, which are all widely available and come in affordable options.
Many homeowners already have the tools used in the video, making this DIY fix far more affordable. In contrast, a professional visit can cost up to $200 per hour, depending on the plumber's experience level and project scope, according to This Old House.
Most people can finish the job in under an hour with minimal mess.
As one commenter noted, "You made that look easy. I'm getting right on it."
How it's helping
This fix could save the average homeowner hundreds in plumbing fees and reduce water waste.
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Under $1K 😎 The EPA estimates that household leaks, commonly from toilets, can waste up to 180 gallons per week. Addressing the issue quickly keeps that water, and your money, from going down the drain.
Simple repairs like this also reduce the strain on public water systems and lower the energy used for water treatment and pumping.
Per an EPA report, drinking water and wastewater plants are usually the largest energy consumers in municipal governments, consuming between 30% and 40% of total energy. Cutting waste at home helps support a cooler, cleaner future.
What everyone's saying
The video had drawn over half a million views since April, with comments praising its clarity and impact.
"Great instructions and a great video! I have learned so much! Thank you so much!!" one user wrote.
"Thanks for the step by step video-saved this lady a bunch of money by getting a $17 replacement fill valve and flapper kit," another commenter added.
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