DIY Fixing a Toilet Leak

A leaky toilet is most likely caused by a worn wax gasket seal.

Most toilet problems can be traced to the components within the tank, but a leaky toilet is caused by a defective wax gasket seal. The wax gasket seal is located underneath the toilet. The seal surrounds the pipe opening within the floor and, as its name suggests, seals the toilet to the pipe. If the seal is damaged, water will gradually leak out from the bottom of the toilet. Because the seal is underneath the toilet, you must remove the toilet to access the seal.

Things You'll Need

• Sponge
• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Wax gasket seal
• Plumber's putty

Instructions

1. Turn the shut-off valve behind the toilet in a clockwise direction to stop the toilet’s water supply.

2. Flush the toilet to transfer the water stored within the tank to the bowl and through the waste line.

3. Lift the lid off of the tank and sop up the remaining water inside of the tank with a sponge.

4. Sop up the remaining water in the bowl with the sponge.

5. Disconnect the water line from underneath the toilet by loosening the integral nut at the tip of the line with a wrench until the line detaches from the tank.

6. Pry the decorative cap from each side of the bottom of the bowl, where the toilet meets the floor, with a screwdriver to reveal a nut under each cap.

7. Remove the toilet bowl nuts with a wrench and lift the toilet off of the floor.

8. Move the toilet side-to-side until the plumber’s putty that seals the bottom of the toilet to the floor unsticks, then lift the toilet off of the floor.

9. Position the toilet onto its side carefully to access the wax gasket seal on the bottom of the toilet.

10. Scrape the wax gasket seal off of the toilet and off of the pipe opening within the floor with a putty knife.

11. Position the new wax gasket seal over the pipe opening within the floor.

12. Form a rope of plumber’s putty with your hands and press the putty along the edges of the bottom of the toilet.

13. Lower the toilet onto the studs within the floor and install the toilet’s securing nuts. Press the decorative caps over the nuts to conceal them.

14. Remove the excess plumber’s putty that has squeezed out from the bottom of the toilet with the putty knife.

15. Tighten the water line onto the fitting on the bottom of the tank.

16. Turn on the water valve.

References

• “Ten Pound Books: Home Repair Guide”; Creative Publishing International; 2007