Leak behind toilet

majorchamp · 07-23-2008, 09:51 AM

So my wife and I have been trying to localize an odor in our master bathroom. It has been there since the day we moved in (1 month ago), and it always feels like its coming from the drain, but I can never verify that since we have cleaned out the pipe, used cleaners in it, etc....

Well, this morning my wife found out that when any pressure is placed against the toilet (where your back would lean against it), she started hearing dripping and verified some water was dripping from the back.

The smell in the bathroom tends to be that musky type smell you might get with mold, but we never knew if it was from a pipe or mold somewhere.

I have smelled around the toilet area and never found a strong odor related to the typical smell we have.

Is there a chance over time the water leaking has somehow formed mold either under the floor or near the toilet?

Again, I don't see any visible evidence of mold.

Thanks

Mike Swearingen · 07-23-2008, 10:11 AM

Sounds like you may have bolt seals leaking in the tank where it's connected to the base.
Check the rubber seals under the heads of the bolts and washers in the bottom of the tank for corrosion and looseness.
The fix may be as simple as replacing those brass bolts, washers, seals and nuts with a new set. Yu can get them in a little plastic packet at almost any hardware or big box store.
Turn the water off, flush the toilet, sponge out the remaining water and replace them. Do NOT over-tighten the bolts. That might crack the porcelain. Just get hem snugged up enough to where the tank doesn't move and doesn't leak when you lean against it.
The best way to determine if you have a moisture/mold problem in the floor or wall is to look underneath the floor if you can (basement or crawlspace) and open the wall up to inspect it.
Good luck!
Mike

florida56 · 01-28-2012, 07:10 PM

I strongly agree with Mike.

plummen · 01-28-2012, 07:11 PM

What they said!

ben's plumbing · 01-28-2012, 08:00 PM

yes yes yes what mike said

07-23-2008, 09:51 AM	#1
majorchamp Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 25	Leak behind toilet So my wife and I have been trying to localize an odor in our master bathroom. It has been there since the day we moved in (1 month ago), and it always feels like its coming from the drain, but I can never verify that since we have cleaned out the pipe, used cleaners in it, etc.... Well, this morning my wife found out that when any pressure is placed against the toilet (where your back would lean against it), she started hearing dripping and verified some water was dripping from the back. The smell in the bathroom tends to be that musky type smell you might get with mold, but we never knew if it was from a pipe or mold somewhere. I have smelled around the toilet area and never found a strong odor related to the typical smell we have. Is there a chance over time the water leaking has somehow formed mold either under the floor or near the toilet? Again, I don't see any visible evidence of mold. Thanks

07-23-2008, 10:11 AM	#2
Mike Swearingen Long-Time DIYer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Albemarle Sound In Northeastern NC Posts: 1,460	Leak behind toilet Sounds like you may have bolt seals leaking in the tank where it's connected to the base. Check the rubber seals under the heads of the bolts and washers in the bottom of the tank for corrosion and looseness. The fix may be as simple as replacing those brass bolts, washers, seals and nuts with a new set. Yu can get them in a little plastic packet at almost any hardware or big box store. Turn the water off, flush the toilet, sponge out the remaining water and replace them. Do NOT over-tighten the bolts. That might crack the porcelain. Just get hem snugged up enough to where the tank doesn't move and doesn't leak when you lean against it. The best way to determine if you have a moisture/mold problem in the floor or wall is to look underneath the floor if you can (basement or crawlspace) and open the wall up to inspect it. Good luck! Mike

01-28-2012, 07:10 PM	#3
florida56 Newbie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 9	Leak behind toilet I strongly agree with Mike.

01-28-2012, 07:11 PM	#4
plummen retired elect/hvac/plumb Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: south east of omaha Posts: 2,391	Leak behind toilet What they said! __________________ "facts" have no relevance to this discusion To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Posting from a concrete bunker under a non descript barn

01-28-2012, 08:00 PM	#5
ben's plumbing Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 3,225	Leak behind toilet yes yes yes what mike said

Leak behind toilet