Toilet Seal Leak Problem

boblgamble · 06-20-2008, 11:00 PM

I have a toilet that, after a number of years, has suddenly begun leaking at the wax seal. I replaced the seal three times without success. I believe there may be a problem with the vent causing this. My next task will be to put a hose in the vent pipe to see if I can flush it out. Can anyone provide guidance on this?

USP45 · 06-20-2008, 11:23 PM

never had a vent do that to me.

Install a deep seal jumbo ring and place a regular ring on top of that. Sit the bowl over the 2 rings WITHOUT PRESSING it down to the floor. Look under the toilet. The toilet should be held up off the floor a little bit by the wax rings. twist the bowl slightly left to right while pressing down. This should seal it. If the bowl is not held off the floor by the rings then you may need to install some ring extenders. These are 1/4" thick rings that sit over the flange to build it up.

Also you may want to check before you install the rings is to set the toilet down on the flange and see if the toilet sets evenly across the entire area. Sometimes due to settling of the house the pipes sag. This can be fixed with plastic shims from a plumbing store.

mstplumber · 06-20-2008, 11:27 PM

Bob,
Are you talking about a water leak or a sewer gas smell? If it is a water leak, check the toilet carefully to see if it has somehow developed a crack. If a sewer gas smell it could be due to a vent problem, but it's more likely that the flange or riser has developed a crack or hole.

majakdragon · 06-21-2008, 11:07 AM

I would be looking at the toilet for a crack. Maybe the flange also. Doubling up on wax seals is not always a good idea. Too easy to have one slide while installing and block the discharge. If the flange is below floor level by much, purchase a Flange Extender in the thickness needed. be sure to screw it down to the floor before installing the toilet.

mstplumber · 06-21-2008, 11:42 AM

If you do need to use flange extenders (essentially just the ring part of a flange), it is a very good idea to put a bead of Silicone caulk between the flange and the extender/spacer. Otherwise you haven't really solved the problem.

06-20-2008, 11:00 PM	#1
boblgamble Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1	Toilet Seal Leak Problem I have a toilet that, after a number of years, has suddenly begun leaking at the wax seal. I replaced the seal three times without success. I believe there may be a problem with the vent causing this. My next task will be to put a hose in the vent pipe to see if I can flush it out. Can anyone provide guidance on this?

06-20-2008, 11:23 PM	#2
USP45 Building and plumbing Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: farmville, VA Posts: 244	Toilet Seal Leak Problem never had a vent do that to me. Install a deep seal jumbo ring and place a regular ring on top of that. Sit the bowl over the 2 rings WITHOUT PRESSING it down to the floor. Look under the toilet. The toilet should be held up off the floor a little bit by the wax rings. twist the bowl slightly left to right while pressing down. This should seal it. If the bowl is not held off the floor by the rings then you may need to install some ring extenders. These are 1/4" thick rings that sit over the flange to build it up. Also you may want to check before you install the rings is to set the toilet down on the flange and see if the toilet sets evenly across the entire area. Sometimes due to settling of the house the pipes sag. This can be fixed with plastic shims from a plumbing store. Last edited by USP45; 06-20-2008 at 11:25 PM.

06-20-2008, 11:27 PM	#3
mstplumber Licensed Master Plumber Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 211	Toilet Seal Leak Problem Bob, Are you talking about a water leak or a sewer gas smell? If it is a water leak, check the toilet carefully to see if it has somehow developed a crack. If a sewer gas smell it could be due to a vent problem, but it's more likely that the flange or riser has developed a crack or hole. __________________ Mstplumber Check out my goofy video for my new To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. .

06-21-2008, 11:07 AM	#4
majakdragon Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,670	Toilet Seal Leak Problem I would be looking at the toilet for a crack. Maybe the flange also. Doubling up on wax seals is not always a good idea. Too easy to have one slide while installing and block the discharge. If the flange is below floor level by much, purchase a Flange Extender in the thickness needed. be sure to screw it down to the floor before installing the toilet. __________________ If you have never made a mistake, you haven't done much.

06-21-2008, 11:42 AM	#5
mstplumber Licensed Master Plumber Join Date: May 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA USA Posts: 211	Toilet Seal Leak Problem If you do need to use flange extenders (essentially just the ring part of a flange), it is a very good idea to put a bead of Silicone caulk between the flange and the extender/spacer. Otherwise you haven't really solved the problem. __________________ Mstplumber Check out my goofy video for my new To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. .

Toilet Seal Leak Problem