Toilet leaking

ForQP

I have just noticed that the back of our toilet has water dripping from it on a consistent basis.

Does anyone know why this might be and if I can fix it myself or do I need to call a plumber?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you

ThisIsWeird

Hi.

First thing to determine - is it an actual leak, or could it be condensation forming on the cold surface, and dripping off?

Could you look closely, and see if the cistern is otherwise dry?

Any chance of some photos to try and highlight where the leak it's coming from?

Does it drip all the time, or just after you flush?

ForQP

The water seems to be dripping off this screw.

ForQP

It doesn’t leak after I’ve flushed the toilet. 

I’m starting to think it might be condensation as the bathroom is very small with no extractor fan. 

Famau

hmm, if it isn't condensation, which I would be surprised at it being, then it looks as though it is the seal.  A fairly simple fix to get a new fitting - talk to screwfix who I'm sure could sort you out.  It is basically emptying the cistern and replacing the fitting

FreeBear

Famau said:

hmm, if it isn't condensation, which I would be surprised at it being, then it looks as though it is the seal.  A fairly simple fix to get a new fitting - talk to screwfix who I'm sure could sort you out.  It is basically emptying the cistern and replacing the fitting

With a close couple toilet (which this one looks to be), there is a rubber donut that sits between the cistern and pan - These can perish over time and start to dribble. I've just replaced my old close coupled toilet, and found the donut to be full of cracks and the metal clap to be badly rusted.

I'd suggest removing the cistern after draining all the water out. Remove the flush mechanism (syphon) and put a thin smear of silicone sealant around the washer inside the cistern. Reassemble with a new donut, and remount the cistern.

You may well find the screws (or bolts) securing the cistern to the wall have rusted along with the bolts clamping the cistern to the pan - Could be a real pig of a job to do, so getting a plumber in might be wise if you don't do DIY.

ThisIsWeird

ForQP said:

It doesn’t leak after I’ve flushed the toilet. 

I’m starting to think it might be condensation as the bathroom is very small with no extractor fan. 

Alas, unlikely, since cond would be very obvious over the whole cistern.
Most likely a seal as said above. Actually, that's good news, as cond would be a pain to sort.
Could you lift the cistern lid and have a peek inside - look at the bottom? On some close-coupled toilet-cisterns like yours, these bolts actually go right through both items, and rely on a rubber washers under the bolt head at the bottom of your cistern, where it's constantly under water. So, have a look, and see if yours is like this.
If it is - if you can see the two bolt heads - then it's easier to fix. Quite possibly a quarter-to-half turn of that nut will do it, or worst case they'll need removing one at a time, and new washers, with a good smear of silicone grease will sort it.
But don't do anything until you check and report back - or you may have a wee flood...
Even if your bolts don't go all the way through, you may find a small tweak of these bolts will also work, as it'll squeeze the donuts FreeBear mentioned. But best to redo if so.

Kiran

If it's leaking from the fixing you have shown in the photo, the likely cause is that the fixing has started corroding inside the cistern and/or the rubber washer is perishing. You can buy replacement closed couple fixings. If you are fitting new fixings to hold the cistern to the pan then replace the doughnut at the same time to save doing it later.  

FreeBear

Kiran said: You can buy replacement closed couple fixings. If you are fitting new fixings to hold the cistern to the pan then replace the doughnut at the same time to save doing it later.  

The donut should be replaced every time the cistern & pan are separated - They are not hugely expensive. This one from Screwfix for example - https://www.screwfix.com/p/viva-1-1-2-close-coupling-kit/924ht

Kiran

FreeBear said:

Kiran said: You can buy replacement closed couple fixings. If you are fitting new fixings to hold the cistern to the pan then replace the doughnut at the same time to save doing it later.  

The donut should be replaced every time the cistern & pan are separated - They are not hugely expensive. This one from Screwfix for example - https://www.screwfix.com/p/viva-1-1-2-close-coupling-kit/924ht

Agreed, that's what my comment is suggesting

ThisIsWeird

There's quite a leap in DIY complexity between replacing just the bolts whilst leaving the cistern in place, and fully removing the cistern. 
Anyhoo, ForQP seemingly hasn't peeked inside his cistern yet