Why Is My Toilet Leaking at the Base?

Worn Out Wax Ring: The usual suspect

This article lists potential causes in no particular order, but we are starting with the most common culprit. The wax ring is a donut-shaped gasket that sits between the base of your toilet and the floor. It creates a watertight seal, but it can become damaged, dried out, or misaligned over time.

Fixing or replacing a wax ring is a straightforward but not simple toilet repair. It’ll involve disconnecting the water line, unscrewing the bolts, lifting the toilet, removing the old wax ring, laying the new one, and putting everything back together.

Loose or Faulty Bolts: A simple fix

The bolts that secure the toilet to the floor are called closet bolts. If they become loose or rusted, your toilet can shift and break the watertight seal. To fix this, you’ll need to tighten the bolts at the base of the toilet. Be careful, though. Tightening them too much can crack the porcelain. If the bolts are rusted or damaged, you might need to replace them.

Cracked Toilet Base: Uncommon but serious

While less common, a hairline crack at the toilet’s base can allow water to slowly seep out and pool around the base. Cracks typically occur due to age, impact, or poor installation – and they can be tricky to spot.

Unfortunately, there’s no reliable way to repair a cracked porcelain base that will last long-term. Your best bet is to start shopping for a toilet replacement. This is a great opportunity to upgrade to a more water efficiency, comfortable, and convenient toilet.

Condensation: The non-problem

Sometimes what looks like a toilet base leak isn’t a leak at all. If you live in a humid environment or frequently take hot showers, then condensation can form on the outside of the toilet tank. This moisture can drip down and create a small pool around the base of the toilet. This is NOT a serious problem. You can address condensation by improving ventilation in your bathroom.

Have a trained plumber investigate

A leak detection requires experience and expertise. If you’re having trouble diagnosing the problem, then call Acknowledge Plumbing to have a trained plumber investigate. We’re happy to schedule an appointment or set up an urgent dispatch.

Our plumbers in Carmichael will come out with the parts and materials to handle most water leak repair the first time around and we give you a price estimate upfront. Call or message us to learn more.