How to Fix a Leaking Toilet from the Base

Learn How to Fix a Leaking Toilet from the Base

Let’s face it - nobody wants to deal with any leak in their living space, and more so if it’s the infamous toilet leak. So, what causes a toilet leak, how can you fix it, and how can you prevent such leaks in the future? Newbury Park toilet repair specialists at Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter have made this guide that goes through the reasons behind your toilet leak, the tools you’ll need to DIY fix a leaking toilet, and how to prevent future leaks.

No matter the case, getting a professional to ensure the problem isn’t coming from somewhere else is always recommended. Call Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter at (805) 499-0448 to discuss your needs or request immediate service!

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Table of Contents

Reason Why a Toilet Leaks at the Base
Tools You’ll Need to Fix Your Toilet from Leaking
How To Fix A Leaking Toilet Base
Preventing Future Toilet Leaks
How Much Does A Toilet Repair Cost?
Still Got A Leaky Toilet? Call The Experts At Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter!

Reason Why a Toilet Leaks at the Base

Here are the five main reasons why your toilet might be leaking from the base:

» The T-Bolts Need Retightening

If the bolts holding the base of your toilet to the ground loosen, the toilet may rock, breaking the wax ring’s seal, which leads to leakages.

» The Wax Ring Needs Replacing

The wax ring may have been worn down over the years and no longer functioning as it should. If the seal is no longer intact, it may cause water to seep through the base.

» There’s a Loose Water Supply Line

If water leaks from the base of your toilet all of the time, the water supply line is likely to blame. The water supply tube that connects the tank and bowl could weaken over time, leading to leakages. To fix this, you must check the connection between the supply line and the tank to ensure the nut and rubber seal are tight.

» Water is Condensing on the Toilet

Just as with condensation on our windows, when warm air hits the cold toilet, moisture settles on the cold toilet surface as water droplets. You’ll then notice water pooling at the base of your toilet. While we can’t stop condensation, regularly running your air conditioner or dehumidifiers, especially on humid days, will help reduce it.

» Cracked Toilet Bowl

If water leaks every time you flush the toilet, your toilet bowl or tank may be cracked. Since some cracks may be hidden, you will need to thoroughly inspect the toilet to determine if there are indeed any cracks. If there is, you may need to replace the toilet.

Also Read: How To Fix A Leaking Bathroom Faucet

Tools You’ll Need to Fix Your Toilet from Leaking

Once you discover the source of the toilet leak, it’s time to gather the proper tools you need to fix it. The tools you’ll need to fix your leaking toilet include:

Gloves and protective gear
Wrench
Bathroom cleaner
Cleaning cloths
Screwdriver or a cordless drill if you have tight bolts
Replacement parts you may need, including gaskets, washers, a wax ring, and bolts
Putty knife
Caulk

If you have all these tools and materials, you’re ready to start the repair process to stop your toilet leak. If you don’t, contact Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter to hire a professional Newbury Park plumber who can handle all your plumbing problems, small and large.

How to Fix a Leaking Toilet Base

A toilet leaking from the base is usually an easy fix with proper DIY how-to steps. Here, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to help you diagnose and fix a leaking toilet.

Step 1 - Check for Condensation

When repairing a leaking toilet, we recommend first checking for condensation build-up on your toilet bowl because the toilet may just be sweating, not leaking.

Sweating toilets are pretty common, especially during the summer. This can happen for several reasons, but some of the most common include:

The toilet is close to an exterior wall
The bathroom isn’t well ventilated
There is a leak somewhere in the bathroom

If your toilet is sweating but not leaking, here are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem:

Open windows during and after showers for ventilation
If your toilet is close to an exterior wall, insulate the pipes
Place a dehumidifier in the bathroom

Step 2 - Tighten T-Bolts

Unattached or loose t-bolts are another common culprit behind leaky toilets. T-bolts are the pieces of metal that attach the toilet to the floor and keep it secure. Should they become loose or dislodged, they can create gaps between the toilet and the wax seal, allowing water to seep through and leak onto the bathroom floor.

If the bolts are loose, carefully tighten them using a pair of pliers. Don’t over-tighten the bolts, as this can damage the toilet and possibly require complete replacement. If your toilet still feels loose after tightening the bolts, you may need to install plastic shims between the flange and the floor.

Step 3 - Replace The Wax Seal

If the bolts are already tight, but your toilet is still leaking at the base, you may need to remove the toilet to install a new wax ring.

Remove your toilet using the following steps:

Flush your toilet and tank
Use a screwdriver to unscrew the supply tube
Use a wrench to undo the nuts from the bolts at the toilet’s base
Remove the toilet and set it on its side to prevent damage

Once you’ve removed the toilet, use a putty knife to scrape off all the old wax around the drain opening. Install a new wax ring with the plastic cone facing down toward the drain. Ensure the bolts are positioned correctly on each side of the flange.

Next, lift the toilet and press it down onto the wax ring, rocking it gently to create a tight seal. Use a wrench to tighten the bolts and nuts, ensuring you don’t over-tighten them. Reconnect the water supply tube and flush the toilet before inspecting for leaks. If there are no leaks, seal the base of your toilet with caulk.

Preventing Future Toilet Leaks

Here are five ways to prevent toilet leaks in the future:

Fix leaking toilets as soon as possible
Flush only human waste and toilet paper down your toilet
Don’t unclog your toilet with chemical drain cleaners
Inspect your toilet’s components every six months
Hire a plumber if you aren’t comfortable handling DIY toilet repairs

How Much Does a Toilet Repair Cost?

Most remedies for toilet leaks are pretty straightforward, but you may prefer a professional to handle the matter. If you are thinking about how much using a professional may cost, call us today at (805) 499-0448 for a free estimate!

Still Got a Leaky Toilet? Call the Experts at Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter!

A leaking toilet is a problem you surely never want to face. But with the repair tips provided by Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter, you are in a better position to handle this situation should it arise. That said, some toilet plumbing problems are beyond your control, and sometimes, you need to hire a professional plumber to alleviate your worries and stress regarding plumbing repairs.

Count on Conejo Valley Home Services Plumbing & Rooter to be here for you 24/7 to handle any plumbing emergency you might be experiencing. Call us today at (805) 499-0448, and we’ll address all your Newbury Park plumbing needs!

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20:40 08 Aug 24

Outstanding Service from Alfredo at Conejo Valley Heating and ACWe’ve had ongoing AC issues for a couple of years, and after trying other companies, we finally found the solution with Alfredo from Conejo Valley Heating and AC. The level of professionalism and quality of work Alfredo delivered was unparalleled.From the moment he arrived, Alfredo impressed us with his attention to detail—respecting our home by wearing booties and carefully assessing the situation. He identified the root cause of our AC problems, taking his time and staying late into the afternoon, even after a long, busy day. As the last appointment of the day, Alfredo made sure our AC was fully repaired before leaving.Beyond fixing the immediate issue, Alfredo also provided valuable advice and options for maintaining our AC in the future, along with some helpful plumbing suggestions. His dedication to his craft and customer service is truly world-class.We highly recommend requesting Alfredo if you’re considering Conejo Valley Heating and AC. We’ve permanently requested him as our go-to technician for any future needs. His work is simply outstanding, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with the service.

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19:01 13 Jun 24

A home inspection was done for the sale of our home and the inspector flagged our furnace as not having a furnace door switch and being a potential fire hazard. Parker arrived to open the furnace door to find that the switch had a piece of black tape over it to protect it, he removed said tape, job done. Unreal. Thanks Parker.

Cindy Gooden

22:09 04 Jun 24

Gave us an estimate and we decided to wait a few months before booking. I called when we were ready to book, but the person they directed us to never called us back!We ended up choosing another local plumber who charged half what CVHAPR quoted us. I'm so glad we got a second opinion.

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18:56 10 May 24

Parker was awesome! He was very informative and answered our million questions! Looking forward to working with him again soon! Thank you Parker!!!

Marlowe Schneidkraut

15:43 29 Jun 23

Easy to set up an appointment. Came on time and called ahead when they were enroute. Work was done promptly and professionally. Technician kept working area clean and cleaned up after service.

Pat Perrine

02:40 15 Jun 23

Professional and on time. Diagnosed the problem and gave several alternatives for repair.

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15:19 11 May 23

By far the best and most reliable company I've ever used. I've had nothing but good experiences with their plumbing services as well as their Air Conditioning Service. Professional in every sense of the way. Would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wants honest reasonably priced services. Thank you so much.

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01:12 05 Apr 23

Very professional and incredibly responsive. We were without hot water and they took care of our situation incredibly quickly. It was not a simple process and they put in overtime to get us done. Very happy and will certainly use them again.

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01:41 24 Mar 23

Wonderful experience today with the 65 point plumbing inspection. Gave me peace of mind & I know they will be back to take care of any issues. Loyal customer for heating & air services. Now, with the introduction of plumbing, I know where to go for honest, quality service. True professionals!

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04:08 19 Feb 23

These guys are great! They were prompt, courteous and knowledgeable. And they are careful to not leave a mess (and they even use shoe covers to walk around in your house)! What more could you ask for? A great experience and I will use them again!

Linn Griffin

04:30 08 Feb 23

Conejo Valley replaced our A/C and furnace in 2014, and just replaced our 20 year old tank water heater today. We switched from tank to tankless and were very impressed with the work. The technicians were very knowledgeable and organized; for us, the installation took only 3 hours as the space was pretty easy to access. I highly recommend Conejo Valley! The office called as soon as they left to check on how the installation went. Great customer service. To the technicians, thanks for your hard work!

Terry Hunsaker

03:16 07 Feb 23

Exceptional service from making an appointment with Nancy to Nick repairing leak under kitchen sink. Extremely professional, arrived on time, wear booties (not necessary for me), offered to wear a mask, respectful and neat. Reasonable fair pricing which turned out to be nothing major. I will use them again if needed. Thank you.

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17:29 22 Jan 23

Our 20 year old furnace broke down for good over the Christmas break. And it got wet and cold…This team was able to come and quote a new heating system and have it installed, in under 6 days!They were on time, very respectful, and kept us posted continuously throughout the project.We would definitely use them again, and we strongly recommend them!

Michael Martinez

00:42 07 Jan 23

Art did an excellent job. He stayed late on a rainy day to ensure my drain was working. He talked me thru the entire process and took the extra time to locate the issue and fix it as best he could. He got our drain working and gave us the long term solution and cost. I’d definitely use this company and specifically Art again.