It can be distressing to step on a wet bathroom floor, realizing that the water is coming from the toilet and unsure what its cause is or what to do about it. Or perhaps this is just a minor leak with only a little water appearing, which stays close to the toilet’s base, and you are not concerned about it but perhaps should be.
Regardless of the specifics, toilet base leaks can cause expensive water damage, whether to the floor and other visible areas surrounding your toilet or away from sight. Mold is a distinct possibility as well. Below, we will help you prevent this from happening, analyze your current situation and learn what you can do to fix it.
Is It Actually a Leak? Could It Be Condensation Instead?
Toilet condensation is normal, especially in humid climates like what we experience here in Florida. This can cause its own issues but is generally not nearly as significant of a problem as a leaky toilet, especially if condensation only occurs infrequently.
To check what your water-based issue is, dry the toilet base and then flush your toilet. Does water reappear around the base right away? If yes, then it is highly likely that you have a leaky toilet.
Meanwhile, if you appear to be experiencing excess condensation instead, there are a few things that you can do to help fix that issue. For example, improve the ventilation in your bathroom, and consider getting a dehumidifier or anti-sweat valve and installing a toilet tank insulation kit.
Why Is My Toilet Leaking at the Base?
If you have concluded that you have a leaky toilet, the next consideration is what caused it. There are a few likely possibilities.
Worn-Out or Misaligned Wax Ring
Your toilet’s wax ring is the seal on the floor that ensures that water passing through it does not leak. When working as intended, it also provides an odor-proof seal.
Conversely, your wax ring not working as it should is one of the most likely causes of a leaky toilet. It could be simply worn out, or your toilet may have been misaligned when it and the wax ring were brought together.
Loose or Corroded Tee Bolts
Tee bolts, also known as closet bolts, are located at the base of the toilet and ensure that it is bolted tightly to the floor. If this is not the case for you and your toilet wobbles or is otherwise not secure, leaks can result.
Note that loose or corroded tee bolts can also affect the tightness of your wax ring.
Cracked Toilet Bowl or Base
Perhaps everything is securely fastened and connected, but your toilet bowl or base is cracked. This can be a hidden danger if your toilet is suffering from a hairline crack, something that could have even occurred during the manufacturing process.
If the crack is minor, Porcelain Epoxy Grout can usually be used to patch it up and fix the issue. However, if it is a more extensive crack, you may need to get your toilet replaced.
False Base Leak: Leaking From a Shut-Off Valve or Supply Line
It is possible that your base is actually not causing this leak as you could instead be having issues with your shut-off valve or supply line. Check the relevant hoses to see if the source of the water is here.
How to Fix Your Leaking Toilet
In many cases, it can be a relatively easy fix to take care of your leaking toilet.
First, turn off the water supply, and empty your toilet’s tank. Once that is done, dry the area around its base.
Then check your tee bolts. If they are loose, tighten them, noting that this might solve the issue on its own. If they are already tight, loosen them as your focus turns towards the wax ring. Regardless, be careful to not crack the porcelain as you work with your tea bolts. To avoid doing this, do not tighten them too much, and consider placing a plastic or rubber washer next to the bolts as you work with them.
Checking your wax ring is a more extensive process as you will need to remove the toilet to gain access to it. Do so, and, if necessary, remove the wax ring that is there and replace it with a new one.
Once that is done, place the toilet back where it was, and retighten the tee bolts.
At this point, test your toilet. Turn your water supply on, flush the toilet, and see if any water forms around its base. If it does not, test it again a few days later to ensure that the issue has remained fixed.
Consider Installing Caulk
Once you have ensured that your issue is fixed, you may want to install caulk around your toilet’s base to make sure that water does not go in the other direction, such as can occur after mopping the floor or taking a shower.
However, there is no consensus as far as whether or not you should do this, and some cons of doing so include it potentially hiding leaks and it being more difficult to repair your toilet in the future.
Prevention Is the Best Medicine
Of course, it is always best to prevent these issues from occurring if doing so is possible.
Some of the preventative measures that you can take include fixing rocking toilets right away, checking your bolts at least annually and avoiding the use of harsh cleaners on your toilet’s seals.
Also be wary of slow toilet leaks, which are usually not readily apparent. You can check this by adding food coloring to your toilet’s tank and seeing if it moves on from there in an hour or so despite no flushing having occurred during that time.
Choose Benjamin Franklin for Toilet Repairs in Bradenton, FL
If you are having substantial issues with your toilet, such as persistent leaking despite taking the steps noted above or a significantly cracked toilet that has caused considerable water damage or mold issues, consider consulting professional plumbers.
Benjamin Franklin can help; our “Punctual Plumbers” provide high-quality, timely toilet repairs and installation in Bradenton, FL, and the surrounding areas. Give us a call or message us through our website, and we will get started right away.