What to Do About a Loose Toilet
Posted on: 29 May 2018
You usually only notice that your toilet has become loose when you sit down and feel an uncharacteristic wobble. This wobble simply shouldn't' be happening. It can sometimes be easy enough to fix, and yet sometimes it's a warning of something more serious.
Don't Rock
Don't try to rock the toilet back and forth while sitting on it, even though this can seem like an ideal way to gauge how loose the toilet might be. It's only going to exacerbate the situation and can cause further damage. Caution the other members of your household that they shouldn't do so either.
Check the Floor
Try to think if anything has occurred that would have affected the placement of the toilet. There are two key culprits:
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Has the bathroom been renovated since the toilet was installed, and did these renovations include any replacement of the flooring? This could explain why the toilet has become unstable.
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Over the years, has the floor of the bathroom in fact become warped?
Such a discovery would mean the toilet will need to be removed and reinstalled. Though an annoyance, it doesn't mean that there are any issues with the toilet itself. However, if the floor is not at fault, there are a couple of other things you need to rule out.
Check the Seals & Bolts
Inspect the wax seal around the base of the toilet (where it's connected to the floor). If it has cracked due to the movement of the toilet, it will need to be replaced. Inspect the bolts that connect the toilet to the underlying flange. These are sometimes capped with plastic (which can be pried off). Are they still intact? Cracked bolts will obviously not be able to offer adequate stability. These will need to be removed and replaced, which can require professional assistance if you're inexperienced with this type of DIY.
If the bolts seem to be intact, simply tighten them with a wrench or pliers. Ensure that they still have a little bit of 'give' and are not tightened to their maximum depth. This is to accommodate the weight of anyone sitting on the toilet. If a tightening of the bolts doesn't restore stability, the toilet flange might need to be replaced. This job might require professional assistance, although it can be done yourself if you possess the necessary tools and knowledge.
A loose toilet needs to be repaired immediately, and if it should become dangerously unstable to the point that it can't be used or begins to leak water from its base, this means you should call emergency plumbers in your local area for immediate assistance. Reach out to a place like P1 Plumbing & Electrical for assistance.
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