Several things could cause a toilet to wobble — loose bolts, an uneven or rotting floor, or a damaged
Check the Bolts First
Check the flange bolt at each side of the toilet, using a pair of pliers or a small wrench. If a bolt is loose, tighten it slowly just until it is snug. Check the other bolt to make sure it is equally snug, then test the toilet for rocking. If it still rocks, proceed with shimming the base.
The toilet bowl will generally wobble if (1) it is not snugly secured to the floor via the toilet flange; or (2) because the floor is uneven (or the flange is not properly seated to be flush with the floor).
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.
The most common culprit for a loose toilet is the flange or flange bolts. Looking from the front of the toilet, check the flange bolts which are situated on each side of the toilet.
Loose Toilet: When the wax ring fails, the toilet becomes loose. A new wax ring installation or repair costs $50–$200.
When learning how to adjust the water level in the toilet bowl, check whether the toilet has a mark on the inside of the tank that indicates the proper water level. It should be 1 to 2 inches below the fill valve and the overflow tube.
A loose toilet handle can have a negative effect on the way your toilet flushes. It can result in a constantly running toilet, low-powered flushes, and can occasionally even cause your toilet to overflow.
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.
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.
How Much Does It Cost To Reseat A Toilet? If your toilet is constantly running, it may be time to reseat the bowl. This involves removing the old wax ring and flange, then replacing it with a new one. The cost to reseat a toilet is around $180 – $400, including the new wax ring, flange, and installation cost.
Most often, toilets rock back and forth because of a loose bolt, an uneven floor, or problems with the wax seal that connects your toilet to its drainage system.
When replacing a toilet or resetting an existing toilet after a repair, it's important to set the correct toilet flange height to ensure a good seal and prevent leaks. You want to make sure the toilet sits level and does not rock on the floor, as this can compromise the seal.
A: No, you must remove the toilet to access and replace the flange.
Tighten the Closet Bolts
If your toilet is wobbling or rocking but you haven't noticed any leaks, the nuts on top of the closet bolts may have simply become loose. Using an open-ended wrench, gently tighten the nut on the closet bolt until it feels firm. Use caution to not overtighten the nuts.
The toilet handle nut is often the cause of a loose toilet handle. It is usually found inside the tank, on the underside of the handle. Turn the nut clockwise with an adjustable wrench or pliers until it is snug. Be careful not to over-tighten as this may damage the handle or tank.
Loose Toilets: Why They're a Problem
The excessive wobbling can cause cracks along toilet bowls and bases, or even misalign the valves or pipes. These issues dramatically increase the likelihood of leaks, so it's important to secure your toilet before they take hold.
The water level should be approximately half an inch to one inch below the highest point of the overflow tube. If the toilet water level is too high, the toilet may overflow; if it is too low, it may not flush properly.
On average, approximately 70 percent of that water is used indoors, with the bathroom being the largest consumer (a toilet alone can use 27 percent!).
A p-trap is a plumbing device that pre- vents the odorous gas in drains and sewers from rising up through a toilet, sink or floor drain into a home or other business. A p-trap is a U-shaped section of pipe that holds water as shown in the dia- gram in this brochure.
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. Better to leave this repair to the pros.
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.