Leaking Urinals in Commercial Restrooms

A wet spot on the floor in front of a urinal that never quite dries. Or a drip from the flush valve that runs down the wall. Or a urinal that looks fine but leaves a stain on the wall in the next room. Restroom cleaners often spot it first, because the floor is wet every shift.

A urinal has three places to leak. The flush valve on top controls water to rinse the bowl. The supply stop and fitting on the wall feed it. At the bottom the drain connection and the wall hanger hold it in place. Each has its own failure.

We run the urinal and watch. Water at the flush valve while it's flushing or after it finishes points at the valve's seals or diaphragm. Water at the wall fitting or supply stop shows up as a constant drip or damp ring even when nobody flushes. Water at the base of the bowl, or running from the bowl joint onto the floor, points to a failed drain connection or seal.

We also check the hangers and the wall. A loose urinal moves when pressed, and movement breaks seals.

A failed flush valve part is replaced and the valve is adjusted. A bad supply fitting or stop is replaced. A worn drain seal is replaced, and the bowl is reseated and secured. We run the urinal again and confirm it stays dry.

If water has been leaking for a while, the damage may be bigger than the part. A rusted or loose mounting, a stained or soft wall, or a drain line that is cracked inside the wall needs a different repair, and we write it up as a proposal first. Tile and finish work is for another trade, and we'll say where our part ends.

Close the supply stop under the flush valve if the urinal is running or dripping heavily. Tell us whether it's a manual or sensor flush, and the brand if you know it. Putting a cone around the fixture until we arrive keeps people from slipping.

If you share the restroom with other tenants, tell us who approves repairs. Mention how long the urinal has leaked, because a long-running leak can mean wall or floor damage.

A urinal in a house is unusual, but a leaking toilet shares most of these fixes: a worn seal, a bad supply connection or a loose mount.