Toilets are made of vitreous china and if the tank bolts are over tightened, the china will crack and can cause a leak. The leak will come directly from the toilet tank and can be anything from a slow drip to a good flow of water.
You can overtighten the ones on the floor that connect the toilet there, and the porcelain bowl will break there.
Normally, if you tighten the tank bolts carefully a little and evenly from side to side, you can get the tank to nearly touch the bowl. Getting it tight might risk it breaking down the road, but if you just get it to kiss, should be okay. You don't want it to be under any porcelain to porcelain pressure, though.
One of the main dangers of rocking toilets is the possibility of sewage leakage. If the toilet is loose from the floor, the material in the flush can leak out. That's about as raw as you can get when it comes to sewage.
You can try to twist the bolt back into place. (grab the top of the bolt with some channellock's or any pliers and turn it a quarter turn, and try to feel if its still loose,if it is repeat the process. If you don't feel it 'catch' and get tight again, you will need to take off the toilet and check the flange.
Screwing a supply line on too tight is one of the worst things you can do. Such overtightening will cause the metal threads inside of the line to become warped, making it much easier for water to slip past.
Reasons to Caulk Around a Toilet
Moisture Prevention: Without caulk around the toilet base, external water can seep under the toilet, leading to floor and subfloor damage over time. This is especially important in bathrooms with wooden floors, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot and structural issues.
If the base is wobbling, you may have an issue with your floor or closet flange. There could also be damage to your wax ring. Fixing this is easy, all you need to do is use shims to make your toilet sit level and replace the wax ring.
Loose Toilet: When the wax ring fails, the toilet becomes loose. A new wax ring installation or repair costs $50–$200.
No, your toilet isn't meant to wobble. It's supposed to be sturdy and hold your weight comfortably. If your toilet is wobbly, you can check if some of the issues we've mentioned above might be the cause. If they are, you can try to DIY and if not, make sure you call on a professional plumber to fix it.
Sometimes, a toilet may wobble simply because it wasn't installed correctly in the first place. If the bolts weren't tightened properly or the toilet wasn't set level, it can cause the toilet to move over time.
Test the toilet for stability by sitting on it and rocking gently from side to side. If it feels secure and doesn't wobble, you're good to go. If the flange or pipes are loose, cracked or visibly broken, or you have a rotted floor under the toilet, it's a more complex problem.
The constant movement of the toilet seat lid, sitting, and heavy put-ons on the toilet could have made the nuts and bolts loose. Your toilet suit may be old and need to be replaced. The bolts and nuts could be worn out over time and may need to be changed.
If you tighten the fittings too much, you may strip the threads inside the fitting or on the outside of the pipe.
Loose toilet bolts cause your toilet to rock, which leads to leaks and increases the risk of the toilet base cracking.
You can add a dab of caulk below the shims to help them stay in place. Let the caulk dry overnight before trimming the shims.
Some problems require expensive, complicated repairs. If you encounter these issues frequently, scheduling a replacement will most likely be the most cost-effective solution, as you can save money.
Water Leaking From the Base of the Toilet
Flanges last for about 5-20 years.
Subfloor. If your toilet still rocks back and forth after checking that your toilet bolts are tightened, there's no toilet problems and the wax ring is fine, then you may have an issue with your subfloor. An issue with your subfloor may require more than plastic shims or additional washers for a toilet that rocks.
The wind pushes and pulls on air within the pipes, sending a ripple effect through the system that's apparent when the water in your toilet bowl starts sloshing around. Gustier winds make the effect more pronounced.
Caulk prevents smell
Yes, the bathroom is a place to get clean, but it can easily be a place to trap some pretty foul smells. If you don't caulk a toilet to the floor, you could find yourself smelling leftover residue from smelly mop water, tub water, or even worse, the remnants of your son's potty training.
Position the new toilet wax ring on top of the toilet flange, ensuring it is centered. Want to know more about choosing the correct wax ring size, crucial installation tips, and other frequently asked questions?