Hi,
Two story house (built 2007), master bath second floor above kitchen. Noticed water leak in kitchen ceiling. Only about 4" water stain ring. Based on measurements, it must be toilet above. Water stopped and dried when we stopped using toilet. I would like guesses on likely hood of possibilities.
Is the leak from/around wax ring flange area and dripping to bottom of pipe?
Is the leak coming from a joint somewhere in pipe?
Wondering weather to first pull toilet or cut ceiling ?
Thanks for any and all input.

It would be far easier to pull up the toilet and look for more clues and replace the wax ring than it would to cut the ceiling and look for sorces. Much more likely to find the problem from above and much easier.

Hi guys...

Deepdiver said exactly what I was thinking.

Double check the back of the toilet and the toilet shutoff real quick before removing the toilet, but then lift the toilet and replace the wax gasket... see if that stain dries up on the ceiling.

Mark

It would be far easier to pull up the toilet and look for more clues and replace the wax ring than it would to cut the ceiling and look for sorces. Much more likely to find the problem from above and much easier.

What kind of clues am I looking for when I pull up the toilet?