Is water pooling on the bathroom floor around your toilet? Don’t overlook this issue! Water from a toilet leaking at the base is unsanitary. The dirty water comes from the toilet bowl and may even contain trace amounts of sewage. If left unresolved, your toilet will continue to leak with each flush, causing water damage to the flooring, subfloor, and possibly the ceiling of the room below.
A toilet leaking at the base typically indicates a problem with the wax ring that seals the toilet base to the drain pipe. There are a few simple steps you can take to try to stop the leak.
In this article, we’ll explore why your toilet is leaking at the base and how to fix it:
1. Inspect the Leaky Toilet
A leak near the base of the toilet usually occurs when you flush, but there are several causes for these kinds of leaks. To ensure the “leak” isn’t just condensation on the toilet bowl, soak up the water with paper towels and flush the toilet again to see if more water appears. Other reasons for a pool forming on the bathroom floor could be a loose water supply line or a faulty shut-off valve. Inspect the hoses behind the toilet to rule out these possibilities.
2. Tighten the Toilet Tee Bolts
If the toilet continues to leak at the base when flushed, it might not be securely bolted to the floor. At the base of the toilet, there are two tee bolts, which may be covered by caps. If the wax ring under these bolts doesn’t create a watertight seal, the toilet will leak from the base when you flush it.
To fix loose tee bolts, simply tighten the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. You may need a putty knife or flathead screwdriver to pry off the caps first. Tighten the bolts a little at a time, alternating from the left bolt to the right one. Be careful not to over-tighten, or the toilet base could crack, forcing you to install a new toilet altogether. If the bolts just spin when you attempt to tighten them, you might need new ones.
3. Replace the Wax Ring
Test the repair by flushing the toilet. If water still pools around the base, a failing wax ring is causing the leak. Fortunately, wax rings are inexpensive and relatively straightforward to replace, though you’ll need to remove the toilet to get the job done. This task can take a few hours to complete and may require two people. If you don’t feel up to it, contact On Services for assistance. Otherwise, follow these DIY instructions to fix your leaky toilet:
- Purchase a replacement wax ring at a home improvement store.
- Put on gloves to avoid touching contaminated water.
- Turn off the water supply behind the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the tank. Mop up any leftover water in the tank and bowl with an old towel.
- Unscrew the tee bolts, remove the toilet from the floor, and move it aside.
- Clean away the deteriorated wax ring from the toilet base, remove the toilet flange, and install the new parts. If the toilet tee bolts are corroded, replace them as well. For more information, check out our article on how to install a toilet flange.
- Reinstall the toilet in its original position. Tighten the tee bolts little by little on alternating sides until they’re secure.
- Turn the water supply back on and flush the toilet to test for leaks.
- Wait a few days to ensure the problem is resolved. Then, apply caulk around the base of the toilet to prevent mop water and spills from seeping under the toilet, which could cause mold or unpleasant odors.
Contact On Services for Help Fixing a Toilet with a Leaky Base
Hopefully, your efforts to repair your leaky toilet were successful. If not, On Services is here to help! We’ll carefully diagnose the problem and restore your toilet to its leak-free state. Call us at 480-680-9741 or visit our website to schedule services from one of our courteous plumbers today!
For all your plumbing needs, trust On Services – your reliable partner in the Phoenix Valley for comprehensive MEP solutions, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC services.
