What are the causes of toilet flange leaks?
If your toilet is leaking, the most likely cause is that the toilet flanges are broken; thus, if your toilet is leaking, inspect the toilet first. The flange is a metal coupling that sits atop the wax ring and seals the connection between the toilet and the sewer pipe. This coupling is what attaches your toilet to the floor and is referred to as the “flange.” Wax was used in the creation of the ring. If any of the pieces are broken or worn down, there is a significant probability that you will have a leak on your hands. If either of the pieces is worn down or fractured, it is a common problem, but with our guidance on identifying the problem and repairing the toilet flange, we should be able to assist you in returning things to normal as soon as it is practical for us to do so.
5 Toilet Flange Leak Symptoms
There are several potential causes of a leaking toilet, but one of the most common problems is a flange and wax ring that are cracked, crooked, or malfunctioning. It’s one of the most prevalent issues today. If your toilet is giving you trouble, how can you know if the flange is the issue?
The five most common signs of a leaking toilet flange or wax ring are as follows:
- The toilet you have is wobbly on its feet. Even if the toilet hasn’t leaked, a toilet that wobbles means that the wax ring and flange are breaking down. This is the case even if the toilet is not dripping. If the toilet is slipping and sliding across the floor, then the pieces that are supposed to keep it firmly planted on the ground aren’t doing their jobs.
- Odors. If the wax ring is broken or coming apart, gases could leak into your home, giving it an unpleasant odour.
- It looks like there’s water collecting around the base of the toilet. Water pooling at the base of your toilet without any obvious leaks from the tank is likely due to a faulty flange.
- The floor in the bathroom is very soft and springy. This is an indication that the toilet flange is leaking, allowing water to seep into the flooring and weaken it. This increases the likelihood of wood decay, which in turn increases the cost of repairs and may even threaten the building’s structural integrity.
- Your bathroom’s surrounding floor is currently being installed. If the tile or linoleum around the toilet is buckling, lifting, or cracking, it is likely that water is leaking from the flange. If the subfloor is not level, the flooring will eventually come up as the adhesive deteriorates and releases it from its hold.
How to Repair a Toilet Flange
To ensure that a toilet flange remains in good condition, it is recommended that it be changed every six to seven years at the very least. After turning off the water supply, you will need to disconnect the toilet and take it out of the bathroom in order to make repairs to a damaged or loose toilet flange. After that, the old flange and wax ring will need to be removed, and any debris that may be preventing the flange from functioning as it should will need to be cleaned out. Turn on the water supply and look for signs of water damage once you have completed the installation of a new wax ring and flange, the toilet, and any other necessary components.
When this happens, the nuts on the bolts that are holding the toilet down become rusted and become difficult to remove. If this is the case, you will probably need to make use of a hacksaw or a reciprocating saw in order to remove the old bolts and install the new ones in their place.
Find a Plumber to Help with Toilet Flange Leaks
It is important not to take leaking toilets lightly; it is better to take action right away rather than having to deal with the unpleasant and costly implications in the future. A toilet that leaks can cause a lot of damage to your home and could put your health and safety at risk. If your toilet is leaking, bacteria-filled water and sewer gases can get into your home. This can pose potential risks to your health and safety. To your advantage, your neighbor, Sanitary Search, is always available to help you whenever you need it. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
