How much does it cost to replace a leaking toilet?

Author: Bret VonRueden  |  Last update: Thursday, September 7, 2023

It costs between $150 and $300 to fix a leaking toilet in most cases. The cost would be a lot more if the leak has caused damage to your floor or if it's a recurring problem.

Can a plumber fix a leaky toilet?

Fixing the toilet

If your toilet is leaking from the water supply, the water supply line may need repairing. This is a common and inexpensive repair for your plumber to make. If the toilet rocks when you sit on it, your plumber may need to replace the wax seal.

What causes a toilet to leak underneath?

The only-when-flushed toilet leak could be caused by loose mounting bolts or a worn-out wax gasket while the all-the-time leak could be caused by a loose water supply line connection, a problematic water shutoff valve, or a faulty seal between the toilet tank and its base.

How much does it cost to remove and install a toilet?

On average, the cost to install a toilet ranges between $400 and $800. One-piece toilet labor costs range from $100 to $300. Two-piece toilets cost slightly more to install than one-piece toilets because of the additional labor. A two-piece toilet typically costs $200 to $300 to install.

What is the most common toilet leak?

The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper does not seat properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Often this leak will occur without being heard.

How To Fix The #1 Hidden Toilet LEAK! DIY

How do I know if my toilet wax ring is leaking?

Warning Signs That The Wax Ring On Your Toilet Has Gone Bad
  1. The Floor of Your Bathroom Is Soaked With Water.
  2. Damage to the Ceiling or Floor Caused by Water.
  3. Poor Odors Emanating From the Bathroom.
  4. Toilet That Rocks.
  5. Drain, wipe dry, then cut off the power.
  6. Take Away the Bathroom.
  7. Take a Scraping of It.

Does Home Depot take old toilets?

Toilet Installation and Replacement

If you're replacing, our installers can remove your old toilet for you starting at $25, depending on municipal waste disposal requirements.

How often should you replace your toilet?

The Toilet's Age

A general rule of thumb is to replace a toilet around every 25 years, though your mileage may vary. You might also want to consider replacing your toilet if it was installed before 1994.

How long does it take to remove and install a toilet?

In essence, that depends on your skill level and experience, plus the type of toilet you have. If you've done this before, it should be a piece of cake. However, if it's your first time, and depending on the complexity of the job, it could take anything from one to four hours on average.

Is toilet leaking at bottom an emergency?

Obviously, a toilet leaking from base is the last thing you'd want to see when you're off to work in the morning or trying to run some errands for the day. Rather than waiting for your bathroom to turn into an indoor swimming pool, call for local plumber services immediately.

Why is my toilet leaking between base and floor?

The wax ring usually needs to be replaced because the toilet is loose. The other reason why a wax ring may need to be replaced is that it has been worn down over the years and is no longer pliable. This means the seal is no longer intact. Therefore, it causes water to seep through the base.

How often do you replace the wax ring on a toilet?

Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years.

When should I call a plumber for a leaking toilet?

Leaking Around the Base of Your Toilet

The worst-case scenario is that the toilet leaks through the floor and causes damage to the room underneath. For this reason, it's best to involve a plumber to pinpoint the cause of the toilet leak and provide a quality solution.

Who do you call for a leaking toilet?

Don't wait before calling a plumber to help! As well as being harmful to the environment, a leaking toilet left unrepaired can cause a lot of damage to the rest of the home, such as affecting the flooring along with the ceilings below.

What happens when a toilet seal leaks?

A damaged wax ring doesn't seal the connection between the toilet and sewer line. This causes water to leak out and pool around your toilet. If you catch this issue quickly, then it may not damage your subfloor and require additional repairs. Some leaks are constant, while others only occur when you flush the toilet.

What are the signs that you need a new toilet?

Below, we'll discuss eight signs that it may be time for a toilet replacement.
  • Constant Clogging. Nobody likes to deal with a clogged toilet. ...
  • Cracks. ...
  • Plentiful Repairs. ...
  • Excessive Age. ...
  • Wobbling. ...
  • Inefficient Flushing. ...
  • Surface Damages. ...
  • Built-Up Mineral Deposits.

How do you know when you need to buy a new toilet?

To help you determine when to replace a toilet, take a look at some common problems that you may encounter.
  1. It Needs Too Many Repairs.
  2. It Clogs Frequently.
  3. There's a Porcelain Crack.
  4. There Are Visual Scratches.
  5. In Order to Save Water and Money.

Should you replace a leaking toilet?

If there's a crack in the porcelain bowl, you'll want to look at whether the crack is above or below the water level. When there's a crack below the average water level, you'll need to replace the toilet. Also, if there's a leak at the bottom of the toilet, you can simply replace the wax seal, which is an easy fix.

What's the labor cost to remove a toilet?

There's usually an extra charge to remove and dispose of the old toilet. Removal costs range from $50 to $200, but it's always a good idea to check with a professional to see if they include toilet removal costs in with their estimate.

Do you have to replace the wax ring when you remove a toilet?

Whenever you remove a toilet for any reason, you will need to replace the wax ring seal between the toilet and the toilet flange (sometimes called a closet flange) attached to the floor. A wax seal is used because it resists mold and bacteria and retains its sealing ability after years of use.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet wax ring?

$90-$120 is a good ballpark.

If you are having other plumbing work done, they might do it cheaper, and if they have a large travel fee, you may pay closer to $150. Unless there is a problem, it should take them under a half hour, whereas, it might take a novice 1.5-2 hours.

What is better than a wax ring?

Wax-free toilet seals are made out of a heavy duty rubber, so they're flexible enough to shimmy into the flange without smearing a wax ring. Wax-free seals can also be reused. As long as they're still attached to the bowl in good condition, you can reinstall the toilet without replacing the seal.

Previous article
Can you make wood 100% waterproof?
Next article
Do maple cabinets darken over time?