Why is Water Leaking at the Base of My Toilet?

Water leaks of all kinds spell trouble for your plumbing system. A toilet leaking at the base is particularly problematic. If you notice a little water leaking every time you flush, don’t ignore it! The problem will only worsen with time, resulting in water damage to the flooring, subfloor, and eventually the ceiling of the room below. Find out why this is happening and how to fix your leaking toilet.

Test the Toilet

First, find out exactly where the leak is coming from. Wipe up the water with paper towels, flush the toilet, and watch closely. The source of the leak could include:

• Condensation: No leak is present, and there’s nothing you need to do.
• Loose water supply line, leaky hose, or faulty shut-off valve: Tighten the connection, replace the hose, or replace the valve.
• Loose connection between the tank and the bowl: Tighten the bolts at this connection.
• Cracked toilet bowl: Replace the toilet.
• Loose connection between the toilet and the floor: Tighten the t-bolts that hold the toilet to the floor, which may be covered with decorative caps. If the bolts spin and never tighten, you may need new ones.

Test the adjustments you made by flushing the toilet again. If water still pools around the base, and you can tell it’s clearly coming from under the toilet, this means a failing wax ring is to blame. If this ring doesn’t form a water-tight seal, the toilet will leak dirty water every time you flush.

Replace the Wax Ring

While it’s inconvenient, a broken wax ring is an inexpensive fix. Still, you’ll need to remove the toilet to get the job done. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, now’s the time to call a plumber. If you want to attempt the job yourself, follow these steps:

• Buy a replacement wax ring at the hardware store.
• Shut off the water to the toilet.
• Disconnect the water supply line and unscrew the t-bolts.
• Remove the toilet and lay it on its side nearby.
• Clean away the debris left by the old wax ring.
• Place the new ring on the bottom of the toilet.
• Set the toilet back in position, tighten the t-bolts, and replace the caps.
• Reconnect the water supply line and turn on the water to refill the tank.
• Flush the toilet and check for leaks.
• Caulk the toilet base to keep the toilet in place and prevent future leaks.

If you need help fixing your leaking toilet, turn to Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling for help. Our experienced plumbers can fix your toilet or install a new one if you’re ready for an upgrade. We draw on over 40 years of experience and offer a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee for your peace of mind. To schedule plumbing services with us, please call 801-877-2184 for Utah County customers and 801-877-2536 if you live in Draper. You can also contact us online with any questions you have.