Why Does a Toilet Leak When Flushed?

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

Replacing a wax ring on a leaking toilet isn't difficult

Top Reasons Why a Toilet Leaks From The Base

If you find that your toilet is leaking from the base when you flush, there are a couple of common reasons. A leaking toilet must be attended to quickly before water begins to damage the flooring. Make sure to call a water damage repair service right away if you discover water damage in your Liberty, MO, bathroom. 

1. Wax Ring Issues
When the seal cracks on the wax ring, water begins to puddle around the base of the toilet. If the person who installed the toilet caulked around it quite heavily, the water may not be leaking visibly, but it could still be damaging the subflooring. An unpleasant odor will usually indicate a broken wax ring seal even if it isn't visible on the surface.
Replacing a wax ring on a leaking toilet isn't difficult.

At the shutoff valve, turn the water off to avoid a bathroom leak.
After removing the lid of the tank, hold the handle down and drain the water from the tank. Scoop up any remaining water.
Loosen the compression nut from the shutoff valve to disconnect the tube. Remove the closet bolt caps and nuts.
Carefully rock the toilet back and forth at the bowl's rim to break the seal and lift the toilet from the floor.
Scrape away the old wax ring.
Position the new wax ring on the toilet flange and set the toilet down. Make sure the wax ring gets a good seal by pressing down while rocking the toilet gently.

2. Loosened Bolts
If the bolts on each side of the toilet aren't tightened, they can cause a leak. You'll see that the bolts are covered by caps. Pop off the caps using a screwdriver and tighten the bolts with a wrench.
Protect your bathroom from water damage by fixing that leaking toilet right away.