Repair rear toilet flange leaking

Hi Connie.

Hoping I'm visualizing this properly. The stand pipe under the house is generally pointing upward and has a flange on it. The toilet will have an indent on the bottom that is somewhat larger that the flange diameter. Then there will be a wax ring that is seated around the neck of the flange right before the toilet is placed down on top of it. The general process is that a new wax ring is placed, the toilet is lifted and, as carefully as possible, lowered straight down over the floor bolts. Once it makes contact on the floor, the toilet is gently rotated a small bit clockwise and counterclockwise to make sure that there is a good solid contact with the wax. The toilet is set square to the wall and, hopefully, with the floor bolts centered on the slots. Someone sits down carefully on the toilet to put pressure on the wax and seal it (this should not be done on a cold day, as the wax may not flow, and may even crack and leave a gap).

From what I saw you write, my questions would be whether the wax gasket was installed. if not, pull the toilet, obtain a gasket, and try again. if one was installed, were the remains of the old gasket thoroughly cleaned away from flange and toilet bottom? if not, the old wax may have cause uneven flow/sealing with the new ring (too much wax in the space).

You can also check that the leak isn't coming from higher up, like at the join from bowl to tank. If it's leaking there, depending on your toilet model, it might leak once the flapper is lifted in the tank, flow down the back outside of the toilet, and down under the house. In that case, it could be a bad seal, or the tank-to-toilet bolts not having been tightened.

Hoping this gives you some ideas

D

Lift your toilet off again and replace the wax ring check the bottom of the toilet for cracks and make sure it is clean. Then install the toilet make sure to tighten flange bolts evenly DON'T OVER TIGHTEN. Try that to start with.

Hello, W/D here. I always use the wax ring that has the plastic horn molded into it. Rarely, I will place another regular gasket on top of it if the closet flange sits too far above the floor or is cocked. The key to a good seal of a wax ring is to install it properly, and set it several times. What I do is tighten the bolts that bolt the toilet to the flange, and then sit on the seat, putting as much weight as I can on the bowl, and even wiggling a bit. The toilet settles, and I tighten the bolts (carefully) a bit more. I continue to do this several times until the toilet is settled well onto the closet flange and is secure. You have to take your time with this, and be very careful not to over tighten at any one time. You can break the closet flange or at worst, crack the porcelain bowl flange.
Best regards, --W/D--

not always. you will need flange repair kit, wax ring, wood screws, replacement bolts, caulk and shims

1 - Check bolts and washer from the tank to bowl for a leak.It can leak and run down the bowl and pool around bottom of bowl. It will run down the back and under toilet and come out from under bowl in front.

2 - Does the flange sit below floor level some wax ring's differ in size. May take a wax ring with a horn to in the flange, You may try 2 wax rings stacked or get a jumbo size one to get a better seal.

3-Check water line and for possible crack in toilet some where a last resort. Was the flange secure and in good shape, inspect it for a possible crack.

If you tried regular sized wax rings and they failed to seal, try using a double thickness wax ring, maybe the space between the floor flange and the toilet exceeds a regular wax ring size. If the floor has been re-tiled and the floor flange was not adjusted this could be your problem, anyhow good luck!

You have a Broken Flange.

Not a hard fix, There is a repair kit.
Don't get the Half Flange repair kit... Get the Complete hole metal flange repair kit, install and also replace the wax ring and your back in business.

Hope this tip helps.

r/
David

I believe that I qualify... over 300 toilets installed in the past 15 months!!

I would go with the wax rings... but I would press the ring into the base of the toilet before installing the toilet....that way you are sure to have a good seal to the toilet....

If you actually read the directions, the manufacturer will tell you to press the wax ring onto the toilet....then install it onto the floor drain.
I guess that a PLAIN wax ring placed on the floor drain (since it is recessed) before placing the rubber-sleeve equipped ringed toiled is a good safety measure... I have done that an it work about 37 times out of 40.

Good question - BTW.. and well worded. THANKS for being specific and precise!!

you may want to consider simply repairing the flange rather than replacing it as replacement is major surgery. Go to home depot or a similar store and they will show u the products available to make the flange work for you. Regarding the toilet seat it simply unbolts and a new one gets bolted in. In most cases you unsnap the plastic cover on each side of the rear of the toilet seat and you will see a screw. Use a large flat head screw driver to unscrew it. You may also have to use a wrench or a vise grips on the underside.

They make plates that go under the  (plastic pipe?) flange which allows one to tighten down the toilet better. Seems that your flange and toilet are not level with one another? You may need to use plastic or other shims to level the toilet before  tightening the bolts.