[fernandezj]

We recently installed a new bathroom ourselves. There has been on/off dripping from the corner where the toilet waste pipe is down into the living room and the occaisional bad smell. A plumber fixing central heating said he thought it would be when the soil pipe was disturbed and we have to either take up the floor or the ceiling below the bathroom. Any idea on the smell or cause of dripping (it will not drip for days then suddenly start again and doesn't happen after as shower etc). Thanks

[BigRed1500]

Sounds like a bad wax ring or incorrect toilet installation. Did you change any of the waste pipe configuration or just drop a new toilet in?

[fernandezj]

We had to buy one of those concertina-type tubes to link toilet to waste pipe (sorry can't remember correct name and boyfriend who did it not here right now!). There is no leak at all around this area though? Thanks again

[BigRed1500]

I'm not sure what that is that you're referring to but obviously there is a leak. If the connection from the toilet outlet to the waste pipe isn't good then you're going to have a leak underneath the floor, and down into the next level - which you have.

There needs to be a solid and properly supported wastepipe, a properly installed toilet flange(screwed to finish floor), and a properly installed wax ring or gasket between the toilet and flange. If you've tried to use something to make the installation "easier" because something didn't line up, looked too complicated, etc, then you're causing a leak and compromising your health with raw sewage leaking into your ceiling.

[fernandezj]

The toilet has no wax ring as I bought a pushfit connector and was told I would need nothing else. I also sealed the joint with some plumbers sealant and there is no leak whatsoever above ground. The connection is horizontal about 6inches off the floor so I would see water on the floor or feel a drip. The problem is below the bathroom floor. It also has no smell in the room below but the actual bathroom does have a little odour if the door is left closed overnight but nothing unbearable.

The water coming from the ceiling is intermittent and began in a different area to where it is currently leaking. The floor in the bathroom had been nailed down to overcome the squeaking we were previously suffering and I wondered if a pipe may have been pierced although I have been told the water dripping from the ceiling would be hot of coming from the boiler. I also imagine it would be constant which it is not as it may not drip for a couple of days and then start again??