A toilet leaking at the base is a common problem. If you notice your toilet is leaking at the base, you definitely should not use it until it is fixed. Unsanitary dirty water can spill out onto your floor. The water most likely from the bowl.. This water could have an unpleasant odor, and it can be damaging to the floor. To keep the leak from doing more damage, you should turn off water to this commode and call a licensed plumber to get the problem fixed right away.
Negative Effects from a Toilet Leaking from the Base
When a toilet is leaking at the base, it can cause mold to grow. It can also lead to higher water bills and it can cause damage to your flooring and other aspects of your home. You should ensure that the problem is addressed quickly before it gets worse and before you end up having to spend more out of pocket on the repairs and on fixing the other issues caused by the leaking commode.
You should inspect the toilet to make sure that the leak is indeed coming from the bottom of the toilet and not from somewhere higher up. A higher leak could drip down the sides of the commode then pool up on the floor giving the appearance of a leak at the base. There are different causes for leaks at the base, so you need to inspect the toilet closely to determine the cause of the problem.
Common Causes for a Toilet Leak
Here are some things to check and the two leading causes for the base of a toilet to leak:
- The t-bolts used to fasten the toilet onto the floor could need tightening up. Just remove the plastic covers at the base then tighten the bolts, making sure that you don’t over tighten them as that could crack the porcelain base.
- Another reason that the toilet leaks at the base could be because you need a wax ring to seal in the section connecting the drainpipe and toilet. You should shut off the water to the toilet, disconnect the line that supplies water, unscrew the t-bolts, then remove the toilet and lay it on its side. Remove the old wax ring and clean the area before you place the new on the bottom of the toilet and reinstall the commode.
After you have fixed the problem, you will want to make sure you reinstall the toilet properly. As you do so, check it for any other problems. You will need to make sure that the wax ring is pushed in and a seal is created. Make sure the t-bolts are screwed into place, but that they are not too loose and that they are not too tight. Be sure to center and level the toilet.
You will need to reconnect your water line and then turn the valve back on. Flush your toilet a couple of times to make sure that there are no leaks. If there is still a leak, you will want to make sure that you call a professional plumber because it will need additional troubleshooting. A professionally trained plumber will be able to determine what is the cause for the problem and will make sure that the issue is addressed in the most effective and most efficient way possible.
Even what may seem like a minor leak can cause extensive damage, so it requires immediate attention. Since the leaking water is coming from the toilet bowl and is dirty, it can be hazardous to the health of your family. If your toilet is leaking around the base and you are having difficulty determining the root of the problem, call Golden West Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning today. We will send out a highly skilled plumber to take care of the problem and to ensure your toilet is free from leaks and any other problems.
