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StanleyCrossFit
Feb 18, 2012, 12:50 AM
So, a little background information. I replaced an old toilet. When I pulled it off I noticed that the metal ring in the floor holding the bolts was all rotten. It is a top layer (underneath the flooring) of particle board (obviously ruined) and then the t&g sub flooring underneath. The main drain pipe was a bit lose so I crawled down into the crawl space and screwed solid wood underneath so that I could then re-attach the drain pipe and ring tightly. I then installed the new toilet and I doubled up on the wax rings. As I tightened the two nuts on both sides of the toilet I couldn't get to a point where it seemed real tight, but the toilet is pretty solid. I only mention that because in the past it seems as if I could get to a point where the toilet was solid and any more tightening seemed unnecessary. And then after about two weeks it began leaking from the base. I checked to make sure it wasn't the water line (which I replaced) and I now I don't know what to do. I am wondering if I have a cracked toilet, but I looked and it was hard to see. I figure that if that's the problem, it's probably a hairline crack and only visible when it's being cranked on with the two bolts.

Anyway, it's driving me crazy. Did I not get the floor solid enough? Are there any tests I can do to see where the leak comes from? Someone mentioned a dye test, but not sure what that would show. This is a Cadet 3 toilet by the way.

Hopefully someone can help.

Thanks - Stanley in Portland, OR

I doubled up the wax rings

Milo Dolezal
Feb 18, 2012, 12:59 PM
One of 2 things is happening:

1. Toilet not centered on wax ring resulting in water being directed outside of the intended flow. Solution: remove toilet and reset again.
2. Sewer pipe is backing up. Sewage is seeping out from the pipe and under the wax ring onto the floor. Solution: Snake main sewer pipe.

Of course, it may leak from cracked bowl, from water supply or tank-to-bowl connection. I would check out these first.

Hope that helps.

Milo