3 Common Causes of Water Leaking From the Base of a Toilet
Bathrooms are designed to deal with wetness. That’s why we use different paints on the wall, use water-proof flooring, and install ventilation fans. So it’s not a big deal if you splash some water from the sink or tub now and then. But one place you don’t want to see water leaking out of is the toilet. It’s gross, unhealthy, and a sign of a plumbing issue you need to address right away.
Toilets are fairly simple fixtures. So if water is leaking out the base of the toilet, it’s usually because of one of these common reasons.
Cracked porcelain
Porcelain toilets can last a very long time, under the right conditions. But if a heavy object drops on it or weight is unevenly applied, the porcelain can crack and allow water to seep through.
Clean and inspect the entire toilet, including hard to reach areas like the back. If you find a crack, you may be able to temporarily fill it with plumber’s putty and caulk. But this is just a band-aid measure to prevent further leaking until you are able to replace the toilet.
Loose bolts
The toilet is held to the floor by tee bolts on either side of the base. They are usually hidden underneath plastic caps, so you may not have noticed them before. Normally, you don’t have to worry about the bolts if they are properly installed. But in some cases, they can become loose or even break.
When this happens, the toilet can shift and the seal between the base and the drainpipe is broken. Make sure the toilet is positioned correctly and the bolts are tight (but don’t overtighten or you could break the porcelain). If the bolts spin and never tighten, that’s a sign they are broken and need to be replaced.
Worn-out wax ring
The wax ring has the dirty job of creating a watertight seal between the toilet and the drain pipe that goes to your sewage or septic system. To maintain this seal (and to prevent water or toilet contents from leaking out), the wax ring must be positioned and compressed down.
If the toilet shifts out of place (likely because the bolts we mentioned early were loose), then this seal will break. In rare cases, the wax can also dry out and crack. Either way, wax rings can’t be reused or fixed – so it will need to be removed and replaced. This is a fairly simple but messy job, so if you’re not comfortable you may want to call in a professional plumber to handle it.
Toilet repair in Southern California
You don’t want to ignore water leaking from the bottom of the toilet. It can lead to water damage and unsanitary conditions inside your home. Instead, get it taken care of the correct way by calling Liberty Plumbing. We are here for all your household plumbing needs. Give us a call today at (951) 760-4215.
