Plumbing: Toilets -Loose Toilet Issues

Toilets can become loose through normal use.

The two most common issues a loose toilet creates are an increased risk of leakage, and a potential for sewer gas to enter the house.

Credit: This Old House

Tighten those bolts

For toilets that are only slightly loose, sometimes all that is necessary is tightening the bolts, and maybe shimming or adding caulk to the toilet at the floor.

Consider a new wax ring

For more severe cases, it is usually recommended to pull the toilet off of its flange and reset it on a new wax seal ring. This is recommended if the toilet has shifted around to the point where the wax ring may have been compromised.

Stop any rocking

Ensuring that the toilet is sitting squarely on the floor is critical to preventing the toilet from becoming loose again. Sometimes it is necessary to shim the toilet so it does not rock or shift while in use.

Tank Issues.

Loose tanks are usually a relatively simple repair. In most toilets, there are two bolts that connect the tank (Upper portion) to the bowl (bottom portion). Gently tightening these bolts and maybe replacing the washers that seal the tank bolts are sometimes all that is required. Obviously, if there is a crack or some other issue that would cause the tank to be leaking it might be necessary for a replacement part or even a new toilet.