A leak in a toilet can be caused by things like a crack in the porcelain, a poor seal between the tank or a damaged inlet nozzle. If the toilet drips from under the base, the problem could be with the seal between the waste horn and the floor, which is sealed by a wax ring. In some installations where the toilet flange is lifted from the floor or the toilet waste horn design is unusually high, installing two wax rings can provide a more airtight seal, avoiding leaks under the toilet.
- 1 Close the water supply valve behind the toilet. Unload the toilet to remove as much water as possible. Lift the lid off the back of the tank and remove all remaining water from the tank and toilet with a sponge.
- 2 Loosen the coupler that connects the supply line to the teat on the underside of the toilet tank using sliding joint pliers. Disconnect the supply line.
- 3 Remove the screw covers from the toilet base with a screwdriver. Place caps aside. Loosen the nuts on the mounting bolts using an adjustable wrench. Remove Washers. Lift the toilet bowl off the floor and place it sideways.
- 4 Scrape the old wax ring from the flange and the bottom of the waste horn into the base of the toilet using a spatula. Remove old bolts from floor flange cabinet. Insert a new set of cabinet bolts into the flange.
- 5 Place a wax ring over the floor flange. Align a second ring on the first and press down gently to begin molding The two wax rings together so that they do not get undone by placing the toilet in place.
- 6 Center The speaker on the toilet base over the wax rings and align the cabinet bolts with the mounting holes in the toilet base. Press the toilet, rocking the base slightly to seat the bowl against the rings.
- 7 Lift the toilet seat and place a level on the bowl. Slide a toilet wedge under the lower edges of the toilet base until the toilet is level in all directions. Place a washer over each cabinet bolt and tighten the nuts to the cabinet bolts with an adjustable wrench to secure the toilet. Replace Bolt caps.
- 8 Apply a drop of silicone putty around the base of the toilet to seal the floor base.
- 9 Connect the supply line coupler to the power nozzle on the bottom of the tank using the slide joint pliers. Open the water supply valve and test the toilet, observing leaks around the base.
Things you'll need
- Large sponge
- Sliding joint pliers
- Screwdriver Adjustable wrench
- Spatula Locker bolts with washers and nuts
- Two Wax bath rings
- Level
- Toilet wedges
- Silicone
- Putty
Tip
- A toilet is heavy, so you may want a wizard to help you place the bowl on the flange.