Apparently the wax seal had been bad for quite a while and the caulking around the toilet was excellent.

Once I noticed that the water was trickling out from the side of the toilet at one of the grout lines I immediately shut of the water and pulled the toilet.

The concrete subfloor immediately around the flange has deteriorated to the point that there is nothing to attach the flange to.

Any suggestions on how to fill the now low spot to be able to reattach the flange so I can reset the toilet properly? Will this require complete slab repair or is there a way to build up the area without completely tearing out the tile?

THe CONCRETE has deteriorated due to water? That doesn't sound right, Or was there some other material on the concrete that has deteriorated? I see concrete structures that have been exposed to waves and salt water and the weather since the 1930's that are still intact every year

Do you really mean a subfloor or an older wet bed for tile?

Well, both of you ask great questions, perhaps this was grout from the install of the tile or some sort of underlayment product. Nevertheless, I have a about a 3/4 inch space between the closet flange and the closet hard product underneath. The water and sewage that had been under the toilet seemed to have broken down this substance under the flange.

Thank you for answering my post.

Can you probe around the edges of the tile and see what you have there... to figure out what is gone.

A picture could help a lot if you have a way to take and post one.


Grout is actually very weak and doesn't support anything...it fills gaps in tiles and basicly somewhat waterproofs the installation.

Cementboard should not have deteriorated .....they might have used plywood or hardyboard over the concrete and under the tile.

Thank you sir, When I get home I will snap some pics