Introduction

Are you noticing mysterious puddles at the base of your toilet? What about water stains on the ceiling of the room below your bathroom, or an occasional smell of sewer? All these signs point to a possible leak around the toilet flange — the metal or plastic ring that connects the toilet to the waste pipe.

Toilet leaks typically occur in one of two ways: clean water dripping from the tank, or dirty water seeping out through the bottom and saturating the flooring. If you see signs of leakage from beneath the toilet, fix it without delay. Small leaks trapped beneath the toilet will eventually rot floor surfaces. Wait too long and repair costs rise, especially if the rot reaches the subfloor or floor joists.

Luckily, it's not difficult to pull and reset a toilet, and doing so can teach you a great deal about how the toilet itself functions. We'll share tips on pulling the toilet as well as how to diagnose and fix common causes of leaks. Finally, we'll show you how to reset the toilet.

When To Call a Pro

If the pipe itself is cracked, or if you need to repair the toilet quickly (say, if it's the only toilet in the home), then you're probably better off hiring a pro.

Tools Required

Materials Required

• Plastic toilet shims (optional)
• Rag
• Silicone caulk
• Towels
• Wax toilet ring and bolts