How To Fix A Wobbly Toilet
No other situation is as frustrating as a wobbly toilet. Apart from being uncomfortable, it can lead to other issues such as water leaks, sewer vapors, and cracked drainpipes. That way, it damages the floor and your bathroom becomes an unpleasant place to be. When this happens, you should find out ways how to fix a wobbly toilet.
Many homeowners fear dealing with repair issues relating to the toilet. Before you contact a plumber to get the job done, why not find out ways to fix the toilet. That’s because, some are easy fixes, and they don’t need any kind of specialization to make them working again.
WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO FIX A WOBBLY TOILET?
Mainly, the whole process involves two steps:
- Identifying the exact fault
- Replacing or repairing the part
IDENTIFYING THE EXACT FAULT:
It is unwise to lament over a faulty toilet and lose your cool. Such things are bound to happen and the only thing you can do is to find out what went wrong with your toilet. One possible reason could be that the bowl isn’t firm and causing the wobble.
If that happens, the bowl moves from one side to another. However, you must understand how a toilet works instead of becoming worried and restless. Your focus should be on how to fix the toilet firmly on the floor.
The flange connects your toilet to the drainpipe. And, it should be at the same level as the floor. When the rim is raised, the flushing toilet won’t give you a pleasant feeling. As such, the toilet wobbles and becomes worse with passing time.
Another reason could be a faulty wax ring, which stops water from leaking. When the wax ring is good, water won’t come out of the base. Therefore, when you notice water leakage from the base, it is sure that the wax ring is damaged and needs a replacement.
Sometimes, an uneven floor creates an opening between the surface and the toilet bowl. It is certain that if the floor is tilted, it won’t create enough grip on the toilet bowl. And, it will wobble. This kind of issue is very common with wooden floors. That’s because the materials get older after a few years.
A wobbly toilet impacts the two bolts that join the ceramic porcelain and the toilet flange. When these bolts bend in the direction where the wobbling is most, it could cause a crack on the ceramic.
FIXING THE FAULTY PART:
First of all, check the closet bolts and make sure it is fixed to the ceramic bowl. Loose bolts tend to rock the toilet from one side to another. Tighten the nuts while keeping the toilet in the right place. However, some issues aren’t linked with loosely connected bolts and need a thorough checkup. In such a situation, a complete installation might be required.
FIXING A WOBBLY TOILET IN EASY STEPS:
1. MAKE THE TOILET DRY
The first thing to get started is to pour out the water from the toilet or stop water from entering the toilet. Reach out to the valve and turn it off. That way, water won’t flow into the toilet. Use a sponge to soak out the remaining water left inside the toilet tank. Take an adjustable wrench and disconnect the water supply pipe from it.
2. TAKE THE TOILET OUT
Remove the caps present on the base of the toilet before lifting the complete toilet. These are removable caps. Use a wrench and remove the nuts smoothly. And, keep them in a safer place.
It is important to place big cardboard or a piece of newspaper on the floor where you are planning to keep the toilet. Because the dirt from the bottom might stain that floor, extra care should be taken. Slowly place the toilet on the cardboard and get your hands clean.
Next, reach out to the hole and carefully check for the wax ring. The ring is responsible to stop the dirty water from spilling on the floor. Take an old rag and cover the opening of the hole with it. That way, the bad odor can’t escape from the hole.
3. FIX THE CLOSET FLANGE
When it is about fixing a loose toilet flange, you got to choose from two different options. Either you can replace the flange if it’s damaged, or add a repair plate. Keep in mind that a repair might be useful if the damage on the flange is not a major one.
Moreover, you need to use a chisel to fix the plate in the right place so that it becomes firm on it. Gently place the plate under the groove and tighten the bolt down. Watch carefully while doing that. Or else, the flange won’t fit properly on the floor.
4. CHANGE THE CLOSET FLANGE
Always look out for strong iron flanges. Also, be careful while removing the flange so that the drainpipes don’t break. If you are not confident about doing the process, call an expert plumber to manage the situation. Cut the portions of the flange with a chisel and use a pry bar to pull it out.
Now, place the new flange along with the iron plate. Chisel away a few portions of the floor if it appears that it needs more space. Put the rubber gasket smoothly on the closet flange. Take the new brass ring and insert it into the gasket.
Slowly and gently press it down with your hand, or you can use a rubber hammer. Continue doing this until it’s even. Lastly, put the four bolts in their respective positions and secure the closet flange firmly on the floor using a spanner.
5. REINSERT YOUR TOILET
Put the new bolts inside the holes on the flange along with the new ring. The new ring seals off the hole and prevents dirt from spilling around. Place the toilet in position by lifting it. Place the plastic base and washers over the nuts and secure them. Use a wrench or spanner to tighten the nuts before covering them with caps.