How to Repair a Leaking Toilet | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains what may be causing a leaky toilet and possible solutions. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)

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Richard demonstrated a standard wax ring, as well as larger size wax rings that can make up the difference of a raised floor. He also shows alternative to the commonly used wax ring that help to raise the seal on a depressed flange, a Sani Seal [saniseal.com/] Waxless Toilet Gasket and the Danco [danco.com/] Perfect Seal Sleeve Toilet Wax Ring. Other alternatives to raising the height of the flange are spacer kits both sold by Oatey [oatey.com/]. Wax rings, alternatives to wax, and flange spacers are available at home centers and plumbing supply houses.

Shopping List for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet :
Wax toilet rings [amzn.to/30795Ks]
Foam seal [amzn.to/2ZW1C4T]
Plastic seal [amzn.to/2ZZYO6G]
Flange spacers [amzn.to/2Q9IFrV]
Flange insert [amzn.to/2Q74DM7]

Tools for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet:
Wrench [amzn.to/2LIZ159]

Steps for How to Repair a Leaking Toilet :
1. To diagnose a leak, check out a few places on the toilet.
2. First check out the water supply line. It’s possible there could be a loose nut or a leak on the supply hose.
3. Next check the line between the tank and the bowl. Bolts may be loose, causing the leak to appear just below the tank.
4. If the leak is most prominent on the floor around the toilet (or on the ceiling below), check the wax ring seal between the toilet and the flange.
5. If the height of the flange is too low, you may have to get a higher wax ring to compensate.
6. Alternatives to the wax ring are a foam seal or a plastic seal.
7. Other options for raising the flange: Adding flange spacers or adding a flange insert.

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How to Repair a Leaking Toilet | Ask This Old House
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