Toilets malfunction with time, and sometimes you could have a wobbly or leaky toilet. Water leaking from this toilet can make the toilet looks unpleasant to use. The proper thing to do when this happens is to find out how to fix a wobbly toilet.
One thing most homeowners fear is dealing with regular repairs of the toilet. The reality is that we will at one time or another worry about how to fix a loose wobbling toilet. Some are easy to fix, and they don’t require specialized training to have them working again.
Steps to Fixing a Wobbling Toilet
Fixing the toilet involves two important steps, and they are:
- Identifying the fault in the toilet
- Repairing or replacing the faulty part
Identifying the Fault in the Toilet
Don’t spend the whole day asking, “Can a loose toilet cause a leak?” Yes, such things can happen, and the best response is to look for what has gone wrong with the toilet. A likely answer is that the bowl is no longer firm on the floor, and therefore, it wobbles.
When a bidet toilet seat or the main bowl is wobbly, it moves from side to side. It’s essential to understand how toilets work, so you don’t become unnecessarily worried. The focus at that moment is looking for how to secure the toilet to floor.
- The flange locks the toilet to the drainpipe, and it should flush at the same level as the floor. If the rim is higher than the floor level, the flushing toilet won’t be a pleasant experience. The loo eventually begins to wobble and grows worse if not fixed on time.
- Another reason for a wobbly toilet and leaks is a faulty wax ring, which supposed to stop water leakage. If the wax ring is in good condition, it should seal off the possibility of water leaking from the base. When there is a noticeable leakage of water from under the toilet bowl, it is an indication of a damaged wax ring.
- An uneven floor will create an opening between on its surface and the toilet bowl. When the floor isn’t level enough for a firm grip, it will create a wobbly toilet bowl. Wooden floorings are mostly associated with these issues, especially as the materials get older with time.
- When a toilet is wobbly, it first affects the two closet bolts that join the toilet flange and the ceramic porcelain. These two bolts bend towards the strongest wobbling direction, and this could cause a crack in the ceramic.
Fixing the Faulty Toilet
Whether it’s repairing a compact toilet for small space or how to fix a loose toilet flange, the process is simple. First, check the closet bolts to make sure you secure it firmly to the base of the ceramic bowl. Loose bolts can make toilet wobble or rock from side to side, as most people tend to ignore it during installation.
If the toilet bolts are loose, tightened the nuts and held the wobbling toilet in place. The best tools for this task are a pair of pliers, the appropriate spanner, and a small-size wrench. With this set of tools, how to fix your wobbly toilet is no big issue.
Some issues may be complicated and not linked to loose toilet bolts. When this is the case, a complete installation process is necessary.
Essential Tools and Materials for Fixing a Wobbly Toilet
Just like in any repairs, fixing your wobbly toilet requires some tools and materials. Endure you have them before planning how to fix a wobbly toilet.
- A small-sized wrench or small a pair of pliers
- A vacuum cleaner or bowl and sponge for cleaning
- A good putty knife
- A grinder or small hacksaw
- Spirit level
- Bolt caps
- Closet bolt caps
- washers
- A new wax ring or the old one if it’s not visibly damaged
- Shims made of plastic material
- Caulk
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix A Wobbly Toilet
Step 1: Empty the Water in the Toilet
The first thing before removing the toilet is to pour out the water or stop the flow of water. Find the valve that controls the supply of water and turn it off. Hold down the lever of the toilet tank until all the water completely flows out.
Use a sponge and soak up the remainder of the water inside the toilet tank. With the use of an adjustable wrench, disconnect the supply pipe from the toilet.
Step 2: Take Off the Toilet
The removable caps on the base of the toilet need to be removed before lifting the toilet. Use the wrench to remove the hex nuts and keep them in a safe place.
It may be necessary to place an old newspaper or cardboard on the floor where you will set the toilet. The dirt on the bottom of the toilet may stain the floor, so extra care is important. Gently place it on the cardboard and wipe your hands clean.
Pay attention to the hole where the toilet was and check for the wax ring. This ring stops water and dirt from spilling onto the floor. Use an old rag to cover the mouth of the hole to prevent bad odor from escaping.
Step 3: Fixing the Closet Flange
When it comes to how to fix a loose toilet flange, there are two options to choose from. It is either you add a repair plate or change it if the flange is damaged. A repair plate is necessary only when the damage on the flange is minimal.
Sometimes you need a chisel to make way for the plate to fit in place properly. Place it in immediately under the old groove and thread the bolt down. Later, when you bolt the base of the toilet to the floor, it will help to hold the flange firmly.
Step 4: Changing a Closet Flange
Look for cast iron flanges, and be careful not to break the drainpipes in the process of removal. Call for the help of a professional plumber if you feel that you cannot handle it. Use a chisel to cut away the closet flange until it’s safe to pull it out with a pry bar.
At this point, those new materials you bought at the store should be by your side. Bring out the new flange and fit it in place right on the end of the cast iron. Chisel away more tiles if it doesn’t meet the floor as it should.
Place the rubber gasket inside the closet flange and insert the new brass ring inside the gasket. Press it down gently with your hand or with a rubber hammer until it is even. Fix in the four bolts where they belong and secure them firmly with a spanner.
Step 5: Reinstall the Toilet
Insert the two new bolts in the holes on the sides of the flange and also have a new wax ring. A new wax ring will be more efficient in sealing off the hole and preventing dirt from spilling out.
Lift the toilet and place it in position, making sure the two bolts go through the holes. Put the plastic base and then those washers before rolling the nuts down the thread. Use a spanner or wrench to tighten the nut carefully before covering the bolts with their caps.
Wrap Up
The problem of how to fix a wobbly toilet can be solved in an easy and simple step. With the right tools and the ability to follow instructions, you can fix a wobbly toilet. When stuck in the process, it is proper to seek professional assistance.
We all learn every day, so it’s important to remember these things when you got a wobbly toilet:
- Identify the problem
- Get new replacement
- Remove the toilet
- Fix the damaged or faulty part
If you have questions or some experience to share, use the comment section below. We love to hear and learn from what you have to say. Other people may learn something from your experience too.
