Is there standing water on the bathroom floor near the toilet? Do not dismiss this issue! If the toilet is leaking from the base, the water is from the toilet bowl and is unsanitary. The contaminated water may even smell like sewage. If left unchecked, your toilet will continue to leak a little amount with each flush, causing water damage to the flooring, subfloor, and possibly the ceiling of the floor below.

Toilet leaks may be quite distressing, especially if the water is spilling straight onto the floor from the toilet base. On a day like this, your schedule may suffer, and you may be concerned about costly damage to your bathroom floor and tile. In most circumstances, the remedy is straightforward and does not necessitate the services of a plumber. The majority of repairs are affordable and may be accomplished in less than a half-hour. So, what should you do if your toilet is leaking at the base?

Common Causes of Toilet Base Leaks and How to Repair Them

Toilet Condensation Collects on the Floor

Because the toilet contains water, it’s reasonable to believe that the toilet is leaking water from the interior. However, in many circumstances, this isn’t always the case.

Moisture-laden air may be accumulating on the outside of the toilet bowl or tank. Drops of moisture develop and stream down the bowl or tank, and settle on the floor. This can be caused by a continually running toilet or a temperature differential between the water in the tank and the temperature in the room.

The solution to this problem is to decrease or redirect bathroom condensation by adding or enhancing the bathroom exhaust fan, warming the bathroom, or installing a drip tray below the tank. If a continually running toilet is part of the problem, it should be addressed as well.

Loose Tee Bolts

Is your toilet leaking? When you sit on it, does it move? Loose tee bolts might be at blame. If the toilet continues to leak at the base after flushing, it is possible that it is not securely anchored to the floor. Look at the base of the toilet for two tee bolts that may be concealed with covers. When you flush the toilet, it will leak from the base if the wax ring under these bolts does not establish a water-tight seal.

Simply tighten the bolts that support the toilet to the floor to resolve this issue. To take the caps off, you may need to use a putty knife or a flathead screwdriver. Tighten the bolts a bit at a time, alternating between the left and right bolts. If you over tighten the screws, the toilet foundation may fracture. If the bolts only spin when you try to tighten them, you may need to replace them.

Worn Wax Ring

If you’ve checked for dampness and tightened the tee bolts and still observe water accumulating at the toilet’s base, it’s time to replace the wax ring seal. There isn’t much you can do when the wax seal is damaged other than replace it. The good news is that wax rings are reasonably priced. However, you’ll need to remove the toilet to replace it, so this isn’t a one-person task. If you are hesitant, we recommend hiring a plumber to properly install a new wax ring seal.

If you don’t feel like doing it, get a plumber. Otherwise, use these do-it-yourself instructions:

  • A replacement wax ring may be purchased at a home improvement store.
  • To empty the tank, turn off the water supply behind the toilet and flush it. Using an old towel, blot out any remaining water in the tank and bowl.
  • Remove the toilet from the floor and lay it on its side after unscrewing the tee bolts.
  • Remove the old wax ring from the toilet base and flange and replace it. Replace the toilet tee bolts as well if they are rusty.
  • Place the toilet back in its original location. Tighten the tee bolts gradually on alternate sides until they are secure.
  • Reconnect the water supply and flush the toilet to check for leaks.
  • Wait a few days to check that the problem has been resolved. Install caulk around the toilet’s base to prevent mop water and spills from seeping under the toilet and causing mold or unpleasant odors.

Caccia Plumbing will assist you in repairing your toilet that is leaking from the base.

Hopefully, your attempts to repair the leaky toilet were fruitful. If not, Caccia Plumbing is here to assist you! We’ll thoroughly analyze the issue and repair your toilet so that it no longer leaks. Please contact Caccia Plumbing immediately to arrange services from one of our friendly plumbers!