If the level of water in the toilet bowl has gone down without anyone using it, then you can safely assume that it has a leak. When also there is water around the base of your toilet bowl, this means there is a leak. The water will be dirty water since it has been to the bowl and leaked after usage. You will also smell a particular odor from the pool of water. If left unfixed, the water will cause damage to the floor and the ceiling below the toilet if it is on an upper floor. The following solutions will guide you about how to fix the leak in your toilet bowl.
Tighten the Toilet’s Tee Bolts
Check if the toilet is loose. This is a result of the wax ring not providing the proper seal. A loose toilet could be the onset of a leak. Tightening the bolts that fix it to the floor can repair the problem. Use an adjustable wrench or an open-end wrench to tighten the tee bolts and secure the toilet firmly on the floor. You will have to replace spinning or frozen tee bolts.
If the leaking continues, you will have to replace the wax ring since it is not elastic. Once compressed, it stays that way. The wax ring provides a watertight seal between the base of the toilet and the floor.
Replacing the Wax Ring
A wax ring that no longer seals the space between the toilet base and the floor needs replacement. To replace it, you must remove the toilet to fit a new wax ring. Before buying a new wax ring, you will have to note the manufacturer’s name and the toilet’s model number for a wax ring that will fit properly.
Drain the contents of the toilet bowl, remove the tee bolts, and lay the toilet on its side. Change the tee bolts if they are rusty and corroded. Clean off the old wax ring from the floor and base of the toilet bowl while being careful not to chip the porcelain of the toilet bowl.
Attach the new wax ring on the base of the toilet bowl as well as the toilet flanges found slightly below the floor line. Reinstall the toilet back to the original position and tighten the tee bolts to secure it firmly to the floor.
After replacing the toilet bowl back to its original position, flush it and check for leaks. Observe it for a few days before applying caulk to ensure the problem is not existent.
