Symptoms
- Water pools around the base after flushing
- Sewage smell near the floor
- Toilet may feel slightly loose or rock
- Ceiling below (if any) shows a stain matching the toilet's location
Likely causes
- CommonWax ring compressed or shifted out of placeOver years of use, or from the toilet rocking, the wax seal breaks or moves off-center.
- PossibleToilet was reset without replacing the wax ringReusing an old wax ring after removing the toilet for other work often fails soon after.
- PossibleFlange sitting too low relative to the finished floorNew flooring installed without adjusting the flange height can make a standard wax ring too thin to seal.
What to do
- Turn off the water supply, flush to empty the tank, and disconnect the supply line.
- Remove the base bolt caps and nuts, then carefully lift the toilet straight up and set it on towels.
- Scrape off the old wax ring completely from both the toilet horn and the floor flange.
- Inspect the flange for cracks, rust, or the wrong height relative to the floor, adjusting or repairing as needed.
- Set a new wax ring (or a wax-free foam gasket) onto the flange or toilet horn, then lower the toilet straight down onto the bolts.
- Press down firmly and evenly to seat the seal, then hand-tighten the nuts in an alternating pattern until snug, not overtight.
- Reconnect the water supply, turn it on, and flush a few times while checking for leaks at the base.
Tools and parts
- Adjustable wrench
- Putty knife
- Towels
- New wax ring or wax-free seal
Toilet wax ringSearch: “toilet wax ring seal or wax-free gasket”
When to call a pro
Call a plumber if the flange is cracked, rusted, or sitting at the wrong height, since that needs repair before a new wax ring will hold.
Safety
Use caution
Toilets are heavy and awkward to lift alone; get help and lift with your legs, and shut off water before starting.