[CedarWood]

I have come across a seemingly easy fix (broken wax ring seal), BUT the slow leak has gotten out about 1' radius around the toilet flange. Now, I'm assuming I have 2 options, neither of which is optimal:

1. Cut holes in drywall downstairs under the toilet to see if I can ventilate the wood area around the flange.
2. Cut out floor tiles especially where it moisture meter reads above 70%.

What would you choose? I currently have 4-5 extra matching floor tiles on hand that the previous owner left. I'm concerned that by trying to remove 1-3 tiles I will butcher other tiles and end up replacing the entire bathroom floor.

Best tool? Angle grinder through the grout?

 

[Windows on Wash]

Cut a small hole in the ceiling and blow air into it, it will dry quickly.

 

[Toxictom]

I wonder if laying a heating pad over the affected area for a day or so would dry things out.

 

[hkstroud]

That doesn't look like a wax ring to me. Looks like a rubber seal type flange. Also looks like a flange extender has been added (incorrectly) because of the tile that was used.

 

[CedarWood]

That doesn't look like a wax ring to me. Looks like a rubber seal type flange. Also looks like a flange extender has been added (incorrectly) because of the tile that was used.

There was a wax ring on top of the metal flange that I already removed. It was barely under compression, which was the cause of the leak. Likely the problem was that there was no flange extender creating a space too large for wax ring compression. I'm going to install a Sioux Chief 3" PushTite PVC closet flange to raise it to or slightly above the level of the tile and get some compression on a new wax ring. All this to come after I get the wood under the tile to dry out.

 

[Yodaman]

If you just need to dry things up put a dehumidifier in the room below.
If the drywall is water damaged and sagging it should be replaced. If just a stain, prime with stain block and paint

Check out the Korky no-wax seals. They allow for height variance by adding or subtracting foam rubber layers. If you are sitting way low, they recommend you stack 2 seals.

 

[CedarWood]

Fan and dehumidifier below it, hopefully that'll do it

 

[CedarWood]

The Sioux Chief closet flange insert helped to level and raise the old flange. I ended up using a wax ring instead of the blue fluid master ring. Fixed the leak, but still letting the floor underneath dryout a bit more.

 

[bruceb3]

As long as the drywall isn't sagging, the moisture will dry out on its own as long as the leak was taken care of.

 

[Ghostmaker]

That should smell good with the leak between the two plastic flanges.


I would get rid of the white plastic non sealed garbage. Get rid of the rubber do hykey you got. Clean the bottom of your toilet with pinesol to remove any wax residue. Screw your original flange back into the floor.


Then install this puppy. You should need a 3 inch version.


https://www.fernco.com/plumbing/wax-free-toilet-seal
Never leak again.

 

[CedarWood]

Ghostmaker, it's been installed with a wax ring in lieu of the blue fluid master ring (as stated above) for 3 months (post was made 5 March 2020) and absolutely no leaks.