Plumbing – How to fix a leaky toilet that only leaks from underneath

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I am noticing some water spots on my concrete in my (unfinished) basement. When I look up for the cause of the water I can see water dripping around the hole that is used for the sewer pipe for the toilet (upstairs). (Note: there is a lot of duct work around that spot, but I am fairly sure that is the source.)

Close examination around the base of the toilet (and in the upstairs bathroom in general) shows no water or moisture of any kind. It also only seems to leak when I flush it (I tried not flushing it for a few days and the wet spots started to dry out.)

So, I am not sure what to do. Should I rip my toilet off and try and fix it? Any ideas on how to do that? (I have never needed to install a toilet before.)

I am reasonably "handy" around the house, but if this is going to be a big/complicated job I would like to know so I can just hire a plumber.

Best Answer

You can try replacing the wax ring. Usually, that will fix the type of leak you describe.

Essentially, there is a wax gasket which seals the area between the flange (in the floor) and the porcelain (on the bowl). Due to age/movement/etc, this gasket will eventually fail, and cause leaking when the toilet is flushed.

Replacing the ring is a relatively straight forward procedure:

  • Remove the toilet
    • Turn off the water to the bowl
    • Disconnect the flexible water pipe from the shutoff valve
    • Flush the toilet, holding down the handle to get rid of as much water as possible (use a plunger to push the remainder out)
    • Loosen the bolts on either side of the bowl (These may be corroded or completely stuck. You may have to hacksaw these off)
    • Gently rock the bowl side to side to release the seal, and then move the toilet off of the drain
    • Invert the bowl, exposing the seal on the bottom of the toilet.

  • Install a new wax ring
    • Remove the old wax material from both the bowl and the flange with a putty knife (you will likely also find a plastic "funnel", which can be removed as well)
    • Take your new wax ring, and install it on the bottom of the bowl (the rounded portion will be facing up towards the bowl.
    • If you were forced to hacksaw the bolts from the flange, install the replacement bolts to the same position on the flange.

  • Reinstall the toilet
    • Lift the toilet back up, and thread the bolts through the holes on the side of the bowl (do not let the wax ring touch the ground until you are ready to drop it in its final position).
    • When the bowl is in its final resting position, sit on the bowl to seat it in place. Rock back and forth gently to squeeze the wax ring. The base of the toilet should now be resting on the ground around the entire base.
    • Reinstall the washer and bolts holding down the toilet. Be careful when tightening these bolts (do a little at a time, switching between the 2 as you go). You do not want to break the flange or the bowl.
    • Trim up the bolts with a hacksaw to adjust the length (if necessary). Reinstall the plastic caps over the bolts.
    • Reconnect the flexible water line to the shutoff valve
    • Turn on the water
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