It happened to me years ago while I was living in an apartment. After a few months, I began to notice that the toilet was leaking from the base of the toilet.
I hoped that it would stop and even went to the store to buy a plunger. I thought it was occurring due to a clog. I also noticed that it occurred only after a flush.
Little did I know that it wasn’t a clog, nor was it something I caused. However, I still had to pay a plumber.
A leak in the base of the toilet is common. It happens to households every day and occurs for a variety of reasons.
If you discover the base of your toilet is leaking, it’s important to act quickly before there is water damage to the floor. A leak can be cleaned up, but damage to a floor will cost significantly more to repair.
In this article, I’ll share why your toilet is leaking from the bottom when flushed. I’ll cover the 3 main reasons for a leaky base and what you can do to solve the problem. Let’s get started.
The Toilet Is Leaking From The Bottom – Should I Call A Plumber?
Your first reaction will be to call a plumber, but you’ll also think about the cost. Yes, a plumber will charge for their services and it’s not cheap.
Is it possible to fix this problem yourself?
The answer is yes! Fixing it will require some strength and time. You’ll also need to educate yourself on how to replace a wax ring. Don’t worry, it’s not too complicated!
If you see water stains or water damage around the floor I’d strongly advise you call a plumber. The amount of water damage depends on how long the leak has occurred.
If it’s a fresh leak, the damage will probably be minimal and DIYers can handle the job with relative ease.
3 Reasons Why Your Toilet Is Leaking From The Base
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Old Toilet
Toilets last a really long time. In fact, they may last up to 30 years! After a few decades, households will upgrade their bathrooms and toilet.
Toilets all look similar but there are plenty of styles and models to choose from. Newer toilets are water-efficient and will save you money on your water bill!
But what happens when a toilet wears out?
As a toilet ages, hard water can cause stains in the bowl and the shiny finish can wear off (check out the best new toilets on a budget). Under the toilet, a wax ring connects the toilet to the pipe under the house.
This wax ring can wear out as well and if you have a 20-year-old toilet and notice a leak at the base, it could be due to a worn out wax ring.
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Loose Bolts
There are two bolts on either side of your toilet. You’ll notice the bolts are covered by white caps. These caps are used for appearance and they can be easily popped off with a screwdriver.
It’s important that these bolts are always tight. If they are loose, the toilet can move (even slightly when someone’s bodyweight is sitting on the toilet) and the wax ring can be broken.
A loose bolt will, over time, certainly cause a leak in the bottom of your toilet.
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Wax Ring Not On Correctly
The final reason you have a leak in the bottom of your toilet is because the wax ring was installed incorrectly. If you recently installed a new toilet and you notice a leak, it’s a good indicator that the wax ring didn’t seal.
This happens occasionally, even to the best plumbers and it requires a second try. It’s a good thing that wax rings are only a couple bucks. Correct your mistake and install the toilet correctly the next time (learn more about installing a wax ring here).
Fix You Toilet Leaking Toilet
Have you noticed a theme in all of the reasons? They have to do with the wax ring!
The wax ring is separate from the toilet so it doesn’t mean you need to purchase a new toilet – just replace the ring.
If you’re a capable DIYer, it’s an afternoon project to remove the toilet, clean the area, replace the wax ring and reinstall the toilet.
Before you begin, you’ll want to look at the floor to see if there is water damage. If there is no water damage you can clean the leak up with a towel and begin.
- Step 1 – Turn the water to the toilet off and flush the toilet so the tank and bowl are empty. It’s tough to get rid of all the water so use a towel to soak up water in the tank and bowl.
- Step 2 – If you have a 2-piece toilet (tank and bowl separate), unscrew the water line from the wall, then remove the bolts from the tank. Remove the tank.
- Step 3 – Remove the two bolts from either side of the bowl and prepare to remove the bowl with a few towels around the edge.
- Step 4 – Pull back the bowl (it’s heavy) and clean the area underneath. Remove the remnants of the old wax ring from the base of the toilet and from the flange in the floor.
- Step 5 – Before replacing the wax ring, put the bowl back in the correct position and use painters tape to outline the toilet. You’ll use this outline to place the bowl in the correct position once the wax ring is on.
- Step 6 – Attach the new wax ring to the flange or to the bottom of the toilet (your choice) and gently place the bowl down in the correct position. You don’t want to alter the position too much because the wax ring needs to stay in place.
- Step 7 – Once the toilet is positioned correctly, press down on the toilet so the wax ring is smashed between the toilet and flange. Tighten the bolts down so the toilet is firmly against the floor.
- Step 8 – Caulking around the base of the toilet is always a good idea, but I wait a few days before sealing so I can observe if there is a leak in the wax ring.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering why your toilet is leaking from the bottom it’s most likely the wax ring. The wax ring could be damaged from loose bolts, because it was installed incorrectly, or because the toilet is old and worn out.
If the leak has been occurring for a long time, there could be damage to the floor and moisture under the house. If so, this could be a big problem.
If the leak is recent, you can fix the problem before there is serious damage. You can call a plumber, but it will cost you, or you can do a DIY project that requires some muscle and a few hours.
As you’ve learned, replacing a wax ring isn’t tough and is inexpensive. I hope the information I shared helps you discover the source of your leaky toilet and how to go about repairing it. Toilet seem complicated, however, they are relatively simple and easy to fix.
Thanks for reading another Toilet Travels article. Be sure to check the homepage for other helpful tips as well as the best toilets on the market.