Check out some similar questions!

shadysprings · Dec 29, 2009, 03:03 PM

The wood subfloor around toilet appears to have been wet for months. Mold and mildew concentric around toilet flange.
I've replaced wax ring with funnel at bottom, but it's still leaking for some reason.

When you flush, doesn't the waste water just drop/flow down through funnel and run down the waste pipe? Why/how would water escape? Since there's no pressure, I'm assuming, shouldn't the waste just drop down and flow out the pipe?

Any ideas why the waste water is soaking into the wood subfloor around flange?

Thanks

EPMiller · Dec 29, 2009, 06:23 PM

Did you replace the wax ring? Did the new one seal to the china? Is the drain line slow? Does the toilet flush correctly?

There may be no PRESSURE, but there is velocity, and that will throw water around and then capillary action will pull it out and cause havoc. Capillary action is almost always the culprit. Even if you used the wax ring with a "horn extender", if there wasn't enough wax to seal correctly you will have trouble. Did you pull the toilet off and look at your leaking new ring? If it didn't squeeze down much you may need an extra thick wax ring or even two regular rings. More than once I have sliced a regular wax ring in half horizontally in order to build a regular ring up enough to get it to squeeze out and seal. It MUST smash that wax ring down pretty good. Just don't go overboard so that the toilet won't set down right. That is another problem.

shadysprings · Dec 30, 2009, 02:22 AM

Thanks EPMiller,
I did replace a new wax ring but it still leaks. It drains fine as I dumper a 10 gallon container of water down and no problems.

The was was very compressed and maybe between 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

I'm thinking your thought on capillary action may be it. I'm also wondering if the flange needs to be looked at. The flange is a blue Nibco flange. It's loose and I can rotate it, but I can't pull it off. I think the plastic piece inside is glued in and holding the metal flange in place.

I'll try leveling the floor around toilet and making sure it doesn't rock.

I hate leaks...

Milo Dolezal · Dec 30, 2009, 02:28 AM

Hi ShadySprings...

Aside from wax ring, the leak may also be caused by the following:

1. Hairline crack in the toilet bowl or tank
2. Slow drip from angle stop, water supply or tank-to-bowl connection
3. Excessive condensation on side of the tank
4. Somebody is missing target

shadysprings · Dec 30, 2009, 02:44 AM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Hi ShadySprings...

Aside from wax ring, the leak may also be caused by the following:

1. Hairline crack in the toilet bowl or tank
2. Slow drip from angle stop, water supply or tank-to-bowl connection
3. Excessive condensation on side of the tank
4. Somebody is missing target

Thanks. This toilet hasn't been used for a few months so I'm wondering if there is another leak somewhere other than the wax ring area. But looking at the concentric stains that surround the flange area, it appears that's the spot it's leaking from.