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Leaky toilet at base (C) DanieL FriedmanToilet Seal Leak Detection, Diagnosis, & Repair Guide

Toilet wax rings & seals - leak repair guide:

Here we explain how to detect and repair loose, leaky toilet base seals - why the wax ring seal is critical for sanitary toilet function and how to spot and fix a leak. We explain how to diagnose and repair problems with toilets, leaks, flushes, odors, noises, running and wasted water.

Our page top photo shows ugly staining in a toilet bowl - strong evidence that this toilet has been running, wasting water, possibly flooding the septic system, and sometimes giving bad flush performance as well. Details are below.This article series discusses the cause, diagnosis, and repair of toilet problems (water closet problems) such as a toilet that does not flush well, clogged toilets, slow-filling toilets, running toilets, loose wobbly toilets, and odors at leaky toilets.

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Odors in Bathrooms Traced to Leaky Toilet Seals or Loose Toilets

Leaky toilet at base (C) DanieL Friedman

Clogged, partly clogged, slow drains or a partly-blocked, failing drainfield can also cause odors when the surge of water from the washer causes a gas backup in the system.

We discuss how to track down the source of sewer gas or septic odors at SEWER GAS ODORS.

Also see DIAGNOSE CLOGGED DRAINS for more detailed advice along that problem path.

But often we have traced a sewer gas odor in a building to two types of toilet drain connection and leak problems

Wax ring toilet seal (C) Daniel Friedman

Alternative methods for sealing a toilet to the floor (C) InspectApedia

Toilet with tank lid on seat(C) Daniel Friedman

At page bottom you will find a list of toilet trouble diagnosis and repair articles. Actually most toilet problems are fixed easily and right at the toilet by a simple adjustment, while others may not be the toilet's fault at all, and may need more thoughtful diagnosis and repair.

Taking off the toilet tank top: Some of these simple toilet diagnosis steps require that you look into the toilet flush tank on the back of the toilet.

Just lift the top off of the toilet tank and set it carefully aside on the floor where you won't break it or trip over it.

If you leave the tank top on the toilet seat (as we did for this photo) you're asking for trouble, and also, it's a bit in the way.

Our sketch below shows the parts you'll see inside the toilet tank. You may want to refer back to this drawing while reading the details of each class if individual toilet problems listed above and how they are detected, diagnosed, and repaired.

This article describes and illustrate the different types of toilets found in buildings.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author.

 




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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2017-08-29 by Dan

My master bath "water closet" (WC) is next to the walk in shower. ONLY when I use the shower do I get strong sewer gas odor in the WC only -provided I leave the WC door closed. I run the exhaust fan in the WC for a few minutes and the smell is completely vented outside.

Running water in the master vanity sinks (2) and/or the tub does not result in odor.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions before I replace the wax ring and/or call a leak detection contractor?

On 2016-12-20 - by (mod) -

Tracy

The toilet needs to be removed, the wax ring replaced, and then bolted securely to the floor.

On 2016-12-18 by Tracy

My toilet continues to run and recently my toilet when you sit on it moves

On 2016-12-03 by Anonymous

There is a church next door which has a sewar gas odour ( not in the basement) the odour is in the washroom kitchen area, the odour is strong outside the building ,it is noticeable a few doors from the church but I suspect the church is the culprit how can. The odour be inside and outside the church?

On 2016-11-24 by Anonymous

While I was cleaning the toilet, I found fecal mater on the back of the toilet and on the floor. Could that be a sealing problem? Can that be fixed or should I get a new toilet?

On 2016-10-24 - by (mod) -

Mohammed

An extension of the vent pipe may have been made to stop downdrafting sewer gas odors.

Applying charcoal directly to a roof surface makes no sense to me whatsoever. I'd ask the contractor what they were doing and why.

It does sound as if the vent piping is defective, under sized, mis-routed, or leaky.

On 2016-10-24 by Mohammed Rehman

Would like to know an innovation of our roof has taken place where I see the vent pipe has been extended to about three to four feets. Before it was like six inches from the bottom and a layer of thick charcoal has also been applied on the roof, before it had concrete rock scattered all over the roof. I live on the top floor and 24 hrs bad odor comes from my toilet and its surrounding floor.

The maintenance person came and put a wax inside the toilet base and told me that you did not had wax means the wax was used.

After he left I saw that the area where he tighten the screw was broken, now both sewage pollutant smells for 24 hrs coming from outside the apartment and when my neighbor flushes his/her feaces the bad odor comes from the toilet and from the lower layer of the floor, what should I do next. Please let me kn

 


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Continue reading  at LOOSE TOILET REPAIRS - details on how to repair a loose leaky toilet at its base - or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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LEAKY TOILET SEALS, ODORS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to TOILET INFORMATION

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