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View Full Version : Toilet leaking into basement after flushing


Badlands Dog
Nov 27, 2016, 07:12 AM
We have two toilets on the main level of the house about 2.5' from each other. They are connected into a "T" and at the "T", there is a 4" vent pipe and other plumbing attached as well. When the master bath is flushed, we get some water dripping down at the vent pipe. This may be misleading because the floor, 3/4" plywood and 3/4" particle board on top; so there may be some seeping from another source. I can't identify where the leak is coming from. After the remodel in the main bathroom (new toilet and sleeved wax seal), the problem persisted. I replaced the wax ring in the master bathroom to no avail. Water is not leaking around either toilet base.

ma0641
Nov 27, 2016, 07:31 AM
You could still be leaking at the wax ring or there is a crack in the drain line. What type of drain? Cast iron or PVC? I would pull the toilets and pour water down each one and see what happens.

Milo Dolezal
Nov 28, 2016, 05:43 PM
I agree with ma0641... It could be that you need to use 2 thick wax rings. That is especially true after the remodel. When you flush your toilet, rushing water creates turbulence and water may splash outside single wax ring, dripping into the ceiling cavity and eventually to the lower level

I'd lift the toilet, installed thick, sleeved wax ring over the closet ring first, then non-sleeved ring on top of it. Place toilet on top of the rings. You must feel the toilet to be "sitting" on top of wax rings and you have apply pressure to push it all the way down until it sits on the floor.


Hope that helps

Milo