Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile

ewerbeck · 11-14-2011, 08:18 AM

There was no rocking or anything before I removed the toilet... the flange seems to be solid as far as being anchored to the concrete. My only concern is there is some deterioration (or absence) of concrete around the flange (between the end of the tile and flange), and there is a bunch of mold/crud in there... but I'm not sure if this is just how it was constructed, or if there's water seepage from under there. Oh, I should mention, the house is from 1975, and I've done a bunch of other work on it... In my observations, not much if anything has been updated since. This is probably a wax ring from that year.

From what you guys are telling me, probably no issue below the actual lip or ring of the flange, as far as a possible leak goes. I think I'm also in agreement that it's just a bad seal, I just want to be sure before I put a new toilet back on there.

I will continue my fight against the mold and grime--and then post a new pick so you guys can look at exactly what I'm talking about.

**oh'mike** · 11-14-2011, 08:22 AM

That ring was never right--that's why they caulked the toilet to the floor---

dsconstructs · 11-14-2011, 08:52 AM

Mike's right, a thicker wax ring will work fine. Much better than trying to raise that on a slab floor.

No doubt the toilet didn't rock/move with being caulked to the floor. You can see where the vinyl floor was installed without removing the toilet and then caulked in around it.

It's an ongoing debate whether toilets should be caulked to the floor, even when the finished floor is installed correctly/under the toilet. I'm on the side that doesn't caulk toilets.

ewerbeck · 12-27-2011, 06:36 PM

Alright guys... I want to thank you for all the advice. I've been MIA because I've been working on the project. Took me longer than I wanted it to, but I got ill half-way through it and had to special order the toilet (Rough-in was less than 12 inches). Here are some pics below. I thought you guys would like to see what you helped me do. Thanks again. I'm happy with the results.

Go to this site for the full album of pics (24): https://picasaweb.google.com/ewerbeck/December272011

Otherwise, here is a couple...

ewerbeck · 12-27-2011, 06:41 PM

I should add that I DID NOT caulk the toilet.

**oh'mike** · 12-27-2011, 06:48 PM

Handsome and professional looking---Your hard work paid off!!!---Mike---

dsconstructs · 12-27-2011, 06:51 PM

Huge improvement, nice job

ewerbeck · 01-02-2012, 11:51 AM

Thanks everybody... It was my most complicated undertaking yet... now on to the guest bath. Hopefully I won't need to bug you guys with different problems!

11-14-2011, 08:18 AM	#16
ewerbeck Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa area, Florida Posts: 11	Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile There was no rocking or anything before I removed the toilet... the flange seems to be solid as far as being anchored to the concrete. My only concern is there is some deterioration (or absence) of concrete around the flange (between the end of the tile and flange), and there is a bunch of mold/crud in there... but I'm not sure if this is just how it was constructed, or if there's water seepage from under there. Oh, I should mention, the house is from 1975, and I've done a bunch of other work on it... In my observations, not much if anything has been updated since. This is probably a wax ring from that year. From what you guys are telling me, probably no issue below the actual lip or ring of the flange, as far as a possible leak goes. I think I'm also in agreement that it's just a bad seal, I just want to be sure before I put a new toilet back on there. I will continue my fight against the mold and grime--and then post a new pick so you guys can look at exactly what I'm talking about.

11-14-2011, 08:22 AM	#17
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,762	Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile That ring was never right--that's why they caulked the toilet to the floor--- __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

11-14-2011, 08:52 AM	#18
dsconstructs General Contractor Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fairfield, Calif Posts: 84	Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile Mike's right, a thicker wax ring will work fine. Much better than trying to raise that on a slab floor. No doubt the toilet didn't rock/move with being caulked to the floor. You can see where the vinyl floor was installed without removing the toilet and then caulked in around it. It's an ongoing debate whether toilets should be caulked to the floor, even when the finished floor is installed correctly/under the toilet. I'm on the side that doesn't caulk toilets. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-27-2011, 06:36 PM	#19
ewerbeck Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa area, Florida Posts: 11	Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile Alright guys... I want to thank you for all the advice. I've been MIA because I've been working on the project. Took me longer than I wanted it to, but I got ill half-way through it and had to special order the toilet (Rough-in was less than 12 inches). Here are some pics below. I thought you guys would like to see what you helped me do. Thanks again. I'm happy with the results. Go to this site for the full album of pics (24): https://picasaweb.google.com/ewerbeck/December272011 Otherwise, here is a couple...

12-27-2011, 06:41 PM	#20
ewerbeck Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tampa area, Florida Posts: 11	Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile I should add that I DID NOT caulk the toilet.

Water 'seeping' from linoleum on top of tile