Why Is My Toilet Leaking at the Base in Mentor, Ohio?

Is water pooling on the floor around your toilet? Though the moisture could come from multiple sources, like a spill or splashes from the nearby sink, you might ask yourself, "Why is my toilet leaking at the base?" Unfortunately, those kinds of toilet leaks are common and can cause substantial damage to any residential or commercial property. 



When toilet problems arise, you'll need the expertise of Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co.’s trusted plumbers in Mentor, Ohio. If you think your toilet base has a leak, keep reading to learn what could be causing the problem and what you can do about it. 

How To Test Your Toilet for Leaks

If you notice mysterious water puddling around your toilet in Mentor, it doesn't immediately mean the base is leaking. Sometimes, the problem is simple tank condensation.

Since toilet tanks and bowls are cool to the touch, humid air from running hot water in the sink, bathtub, or shower can cause water to condense on the toilet's cool porcelain material. When that happens on the tank, the water will drip onto the floor. 

The easiest way to tell if the water on the ground is due to tank condensation is to inspect the toilet's exterior. If you see water beading on its surface, the problem is likely condensation, not a leak. 

Is your toilet only leaky when somebody flushes the commode? Conduct this simple test: 

• Clean up the water on the ground, flush the toilet, and look for more moisture.
• If the floor gets wet after a flush, the bowl is leaking. 

If your toilet leaks constantly around its base regardless of whether someone flushes it, the water is coming from a leak within another part of the plumbing fixture.

Why Toilets Leak Around Their Bases

Why is my toilet leaking at the base? This question has several answers for Mentor property owners. People often assume the problem stems from worn or loose caulk around the toilet's base. However, the caulk helps secure the fixture to the floor – it's not a leak barrier.

Below are the most common reasons water may be pooling around the base of your toilet.

Loose Bolts

Toilets use tee bolts to secure them to the floor. You might not notice the bolts around your toilet's base because they usually have plastic caps covering them. If the tee bolts become loose or break, the damage will compromise the toilet's seal, which prevents moisture from leaking between the fixture and the ground. 

The best way to resolve this problem is to remove the plastic caps off the tee bolts and tighten them using an adjustable wrench or a similar tool. You might need to replace the bolts if tightening them doesn't work. 

Wax Ring Failure

A damaged wax ring is another common reason for toilet leaks around the base. The ring mounts onto the toilet flange, an essential component that secures the toilet to the property's drainage system, and makes a watertight seal at the bottom of the commode. Without the wax ring, the toilet will leak around its base and emit foul odors (sewer gasses).

Replacing wax rings isn't a complicated problem for plumbers to resolve. The basic steps include the following:

1. Turn off the toilet's water supply.
2. Flush the commode to empty the tank. 
3. Soak up the water inside the bowl with a towel.
4. Unscrew the tee bolts to remove the toilet from its position.
5. Remove the faulty wax ring and flange.
6. Install new components. 
7. Reinstall the toilet in its original position.
8. Turn the water back on and test the toilet for leaks by flushing it.

It's important to carefully inspect the flange when removing the wax ring around the toilet. If your toilet has a cracked flange, it'll need a replacement to prevent future leaks. 

Faulty Seal Between the Toilet's Base and Tank

Why is my toilet leaking at the base? Most properties in and around Mentor have two-piece toilets, which means the toilet base and tank are separate. They connect to each other with bolts and rely on a rubber seal to prevent leakage. As with the toilet's tee bolts, the bolts between the toilet tank and the bowl can cause a leak if they're loose, but tightening them will fix the problem. 

When inspecting the connection between your toilet's two parts, don't forget to check the rubber seal. If the material has cracked or degraded in any way, you should replace it.

Damaged Water Shutoff Valve

Sometimes, water on the floor around a toilet comes from the water shutoff valve, not the toilet itself. You can test this in your home or business by carefully tightening the water shutoff valve and placing a container under it. 

If water drips into the container after tightening the valve, the valve or its tubing will likely need replacing.

Tips To Prevent Your Toilet Base From Leaking in Your Mentor Home

 or Business

Immediately addressing leaks ensures your toilet doesn't create water damage or unsanitary conditions in your house or commercial property. That includes promptly repairing minor leaks so that they don't get out of hand. Even a small leak can cause major issues like wood rot within your subfloor or mold if it lasts for a long time. 

You should also contact professional plumbers if your toilet rocks back and forth, even if the movement is slight. Toilet movement indicates a loose base, which can quickly turn into a leakage problem.

Contact Our Expert Plumbers in Ment

or for Help With Your Leaky Toilet

Why Is my toilet leaking at the base? Our professionals at Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. are here to handle any toilet problem you're experiencing within your Mentor, Ohio, home or business. Our licensed plumbers have years of experience managing toilet overflow issues, recognizing signs of bad plumbing pipes, and, of course, repairing toilet leaks.

No project is too big or small for us to handle, so don't leave your leaky or wobbly toilet to chance—contact Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. for prompt plumbing repairs today!