[bmcclure]

Hi. We have a sewage ejector pump in our basement for our toilet. It is the kind that the toilet sits on top of the tank. There has been a leak seeping from beneath the toilet, but not all the time. We can not find a common factor as to when it leaks. The pump is pumping like normal, but a "plumber" told us that it may be the pump going bad. We checked the wax ring for the toilet, which was in good shape. Any suggestions as to why we have an occasional leak? The pump is now starting to smell since we have had the water turned off until the problem can be fixed. Thanks!

[massplumber2008]

Hi Bmcclure

First thing is to turn the toilet back on.

Next thing is to check for any leaks between the toilet tank and the toilet bowl... check for leaks here and at the water connection to the toilet.

Next, flush the toilet multiple times... don't be shy, you want to find this leak! If water shows up on the first or second flush then the wax gasket is suspect. If water shows up after the 8th or 10th flush then the pump is suspect. You can confirm all this by either lifting the toilet and running fixtures to see if things flood the pump (i.e. the pump is the issue), or you can access the pump area and see if water rises using a flashlight through the side of the pump chamber... should be able to detect water level that way, too! If no rising water then the wax gasket is the issue.

Also note that if the pump is the issue, running the other fixtures should result in backed up drains, right? Here, run the sink or tub for a minute... what happens?

Try this stuff... let us know what you find,OK?

Mark

[bmcclure]

Hi Mark!
Thank you so much for the suggestions to try. Luckily, the leak has stopped. I did notice that after checking the wax ring again and re-tightening the toilet back down, that it was much more secure than what it had been prior (you could shift it left and right). Not sure if the seal with the wax ring had gotten knocked loose and that was what was causing the leak? But either way, it is not leaking now.

Britni

[speedball1]

Your leak was caused by the Bowl not being secured tight enough to the flange. Thus allowing enough space for water to leak out. As a rule when the bowl rocks it ruptures the wax seal. Just glad you're back in business. Good luck, Tom