Hi all..

I've got a leaky toilet in the guest bathroom, that's leaking from the
base. It doesn't seem to be any of the valves at the back, they are all
dry. But I suspect it may be the wax ring (That may not have been the
right shape when put in, or may have cracked due to the movement of the
toilet)

Do you have any other suggestions ?

Thanks

-Sam

You have to replace wax ring- do it soon before filthy water starts
rotting out the floor. You know how? Turn off water supply, flush
toilet, remove residual water from tank with small container/ rag.
Disconnect supply line. If this is one- piece, you are ready remove
bolts and lift- if two- piece you must first remove tank- you will
need new tank bolts/ gasket(as well as wax ring, closet bolts, also
check condition of supply line, replace if necessary). After you lift
it, check condition of flange, replace if necessary, clean bottom of
toilet and floor very well,final clean with rubbing alcohol, warm wax
ring a little and apply to bottom of toilet- my bro, who does
bathrooms for a living 20 yrs, insists this is better that putting it
on floor first, where you may damage it when lowering toilet- he also
says use 2 rings if you like to be sure of good seal. Get toilet as
close to perfect level as possible, snug bolts, replace tank, supply
line, caulk around toilet.

"User" wrote in message
...

I've got a leaky toilet in the guest bathroom, that's leaking from the
base. It doesn't seem to be any of the valves at the back, they are all
dry. But I suspect it may be the wax ring (That may not have been the
right shape when put in, or may have cracked due to the movement of the
toilet)

If the pedestal could move after you installed
it, would it not be a good idea to hire an
expert plumber to reinstal it, and watch carefully?

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On Fri, 03 Mar 2006 11:34:18 -0500, User wrote:

Hi all..

I've got a leaky toilet in the guest bathroom, that's leaking from the
base. It doesn't seem to be any of the valves at the back, they are all
dry. But I suspect it may be the wax ring (That may not have been the
right shape when put in, or may have cracked due to the movement of the
toilet)

Do you have any other suggestions ?


Since the horn of the toilet dumps directly into the pipe,
even leaving the wax ring off completely shouldn't
result in leaking water. You have another problem
(probably a partial clog) *AND* a failed wax ring.

Goedjn wrote:

On Fri, 03 Mar 2006 11:34:18 -0500, User wrote:


Hi all..

I've got a leaky toilet in the guest bathroom, that's leaking from the
base. It doesn't seem to be any of the valves at the back, they are all
dry. But I suspect it may be the wax ring (That may not have been the
right shape when put in, or may have cracked due to the movement of the
toilet)

Do you have any other suggestions ?



Since the horn of the toilet dumps directly into the pipe,
even leaving the wax ring off completely shouldn't
result in leaking water. You have another problem
(probably a partial clog) *AND* a failed wax ring.


If there's a water stain on the kitchen ceiling (below where the toilet
in the guest bathroom sits above the kitchen celing) then how can I tell
how serious it is ? Ideally, I'd to cover it with some primer and paint,
but not if it's already begun to leak in the sub-floor. How can I tell
if the water has already begun to leak in the sub-floor, or it's just
staying on the floor of the bathroom (where the leaking toilet is ) ?

Thanks again

The only way to tell how much damage has been done is to remove the
toilet and inspect under it. Any bad wood should be replaced prior to
putting the toilet back. You might want to consider the new non-wax
systems out, they cost a few dollars more and will prevent leaks if your
toilet should rock or shift slightly. This seal or one like it is a
mandatory item to prevent leaking (water & gas). When a proper job is
done the toilet should not rock side to side any at all and it should be
flush with the floor surface. Someone here suggested caulking all
around the toilet base but I would suggest leaving the back side
uncaulked. Reason--you want to know if it ever develops a leak right
away, not after a lot of damage has been done. Good luck.


User wrote:
Goedjn wrote:

On Fri, 03 Mar 2006 11:34:18 -0500, User wrote:


Hi all..

I've got a leaky toilet in the guest bathroom, that's leaking from
the base. It doesn't seem to be any of the valves at the back, they
are all dry. But I suspect it may be the wax ring (That may not have
been the right shape when put in, or may have cracked due to the
movement of the toilet)

Do you have any other suggestions ?




Since the horn of the toilet dumps directly into the pipe, even
leaving the wax ring off completely shouldn't
result in leaking water. You have another problem (probably a
partial clog) *AND* a failed wax ring.



If there's a water stain on the kitchen ceiling (below where the toilet
in the guest bathroom sits above the kitchen celing) then how can I tell
how serious it is ? Ideally, I'd to cover it with some primer and paint,
but not if it's already begun to leak in the sub-floor. How can I tell
if the water has already begun to leak in the sub-floor, or it's just
staying on the floor of the bathroom (where the leaking toilet is ) ?

Thanks again