Dan Hartung wrote:

Another rental property question. (I always say that because the rental
rehab we acquired had some *sloppy* el-cheapo construction. Wherever I
can I try to improve as I fix.)

The city noted on its inspection a loose toilet (base). There isn't any
obvious leak, and the nuts seem as tight as they can go, but it rocks
front to back as much as 1/4".

Apparently there's a way to level toilets using "metal shims" -- is
there a special kind I should get? Does it matter that they're metal
since it's on top of vinyl flooring and plywood beneath that? If I shim
it should I seal using something like plumber's putty (or would that
conceal and concentrate any rot?). If it isn't leaking, do I need to
take the thing off and replace the wax seal, or should I just do that
anyway?
i bought a toilet via home depot and prepared myself to put it in when
it arrived from american standard.... when there i bought the typical
stuff, wax ring, new water supply line and new cut off valve... i also
bought two packs of nylon plastic(think that is what it is) shims about
2 in. long, 1 in wide, and about 1/4 in. thick... a few came in each
pack, but they were pretty cheap.. it was incase the new toilet wanted
to rock.. well i did not use them, but the instructions show that you
just slide them unter the toilet and push them under the void and then
cut off what remains outside the base of the toilet...(pretty good idea
with this plastic).... i would then put some caulking around the bottom
base of the toilet and you will not have any problems..... oh, i used
mine to level an a/c unit.. the unit had to be moved in the back yard on
a new concrete pad and when the a/c man left i found that it could be
rocked a littke... not now with the shims.....