Hello, I own a 6 year old home and have experienced my first plumbing problem. I noticed the ceiling in the garage (finished garage) had a water mark forming. We have a bathroom that sits directly above the water mark so it was easy for us to blame that bathroom! I cut part of the ceiling out directly under the leak and sure enough it was directly under the toilet. The water is slowly dripping off of the main drain pipe and I used a kleenex to wipe around the drain pipe to narrow down the leak. I found that it is coming from the toilet drain pipe not the main drain pipe they all (toilet, sink, bath) connect to. The problem is, I cannot tell if it is a bad connection with the PVC pipe or some type of seal under the toliet. Would a bad wax ring cause this? any suggestions? I am going to pull the toilet today. So far I am only out about $50.00 for the ceiling to be repaired. It seems odd for a 6 year old home to have PVC pipe problems or a bad wax ring doesn't it? Or is this the reality of "rushed" new construction?

Thanks for your knowledge!

jb

speedball1

If your toilet rocked a bit then chances are the wax seal ruptured. The first thing I would do is reset the toilet and check again. Good luck and keep me informed. Tom

invest1

Tom, the toilet rocks just a hair and that is when I really force it. Is that enough to do the damage. How will I tell if a 6 year old wax ring is the problem? I would hate to seal it back up and still have a leak! Any suggestions? Thanks a million!!

massplumber2008

Tom is dead on invest1...it is really quite simple to replace the wax gasket...so always the place to start. AND be clear that if this is the first toilet gasket you have replaced it could still leak even after you replace the gasket. I have had some apprentices mess this up...so take your time, clean old wax gasket off flange and bottom of the toilet bowl and reset the gasket and probably a new pair of johnni bolts. That should do it.

Good luck

invest1

I have replaced a wax ring before and it went pretty smooth. I will replace this one and we can go from there! Is there a better wax ring to purchase?

Thanks! jb

massplumber2008

I like the wax gaskets with horn...or the wax gasket with neoprene inside...BEST for uneven floors (I use plastic shims in this case and the neoprene waxed gasket). I also replace the johhni bolts because old ones wear out and can be difficult to re-install nuts over later. Let us know how it worked out!!