It creates a tightness in the hamstrings and pain when sitting. You may want to wax the floor outside the pencil line so that excess adhesive will not stick there either. Once you've removed the nuts, lift the toilet off the flange. No, it is not. If it is a fracture in the tank itself you'll either need to buy a new toilet or tank, but tanks alone aren't easy to find. It will settle down a bit more by its own weight. If it is level enough to your liking, the toilet is now fixed. sum, if the toilet sits tight to the floor then there is no way that sitting on it can make a noise. The previous wax ring tile guy put in was not thick enough, and the toilet was rocking. Fixing a toilet that rocks back and forth requires the use of some type of wax or seal to ensure that the base of the toilet is firmly rooted to the floor. 16 Install bolt caps over the closet bolts. More often than not, the wobble is caused by loose toilet bolts, but the flange may also be responsible. If you're using a ring, place it on top of the damaged ring, adjust it so the tracks in both rings line up and screw it to the subfloor with 1 1/2-inch or longer screws. You may be able to fix the problem by letting the floor dry out, filling the screw holes with epoxy filler and resetting the flange. Don't call the plumber, he's gonna charge probably $45 an … If the toilet doesn't rock when you sit on it, which should be fixed regardless of the brand or type, what you are hearing is normal. Clean the wax off the flange with a putty knife if the subfloor appears dry. Place a wax ring on the flange opening, drop the toilet and push down on the bowl to compress the wax. Toilet Installation & a Broken Mounting Plate, How to Install a Toilet Flange on a Tiled Floor, How to Replace a Stainless Steel Closet Ring in a Toilet, Ask the Builder: Fixing Toilet Drainage Problems, How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet With a Plastic Repair Flange, How to Install an Adapter Collar for a Toilet Flange. Avoid tightening the nuts too much -- you can break the toilet. When your toilet sounds like it randomly flushes, even though nobody is near the toilet, it is referred to as phantom flus… hj Moderator & Master Plumber Staff Member. A damaged seal could cause the toilet to rock, but anytime you lift or move the toilet, it’s always advisable to replace the seal. Locate the cause of toilet wobble by rocking toilet gently. If the problem is tiles, you could remove the tiles under the toilet. If it is wood, you could shave it down to flat. Wax the floor and apply the adhesive to the bottom of the toilet. It happens when they get up from the toilet and see changes in color on the seat. Start by marking the outline of the toilet flange on the floor with a pencil, then remove the toilet. Once the bolts are tight and the toilet is stable, hook up the water and turn it on. Toilets wobble when they aren't held securely to the floor, and if you let the wobble persist, they can leak and give you more serious problems. Some prefer this sequence because the adhesive tends to stick better to the rough bottom of the toilet than the glossy surface of the tiles. Look for signs of leakage on the subfloor. Polyurethane adhesive is activated by moisture and this will help it to start curing. If you are in an extremely dry home or dry climate, spray a bit of water over the adhesive just before placing the toilet. Toilets are not supposed to rock when people sit on them. Loosen the anchor bolts, shim the toilet so it's level, tighten the bolts, cut off the excess part of the shim below the toilet using a hacksaw, then caulk. Anchor the flange support to the subfloor and then drill 1/8-in. Tap cedar shims into the spaces underneath the toilet, using a hammer and flat-head screwdriver to wedge them in place. Leave it be for 48 hours -- I want the adhesive completely set through and through. As long as the floor is not rotten, you can use this technique. Just set it in. Fill the space between the bottom of the toilet and the floor with tile grout. High Hamstring Tendonopathy. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. We need an adhesive that will not shrink, that will set rock hard and provide a solid foundation to the toilet. You may want to work with someone who can watch the floor and guide you. Repair a broken flange with a repair ring or a repair plate. Vertical use is acceptable (sorry, ladies! Toilets usually rock because they are not resting flush against the floor. If you don't want the adhesive on the tiles, maybe because you may change the toilet and the new one might not have the same foot print, then you can simply reverse this procedure. – Tester101 Jan 14 '16 at 4:25. Trim flange bolts with a hacksaw if needed. Why Polyurethane construction adhesive? You’ll also have to replace the wax seal that sits under the toilet. A wet subfloor can be problematic even if it isn't spongy. The toilet may continue to wobble if you use an oversized one. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. Install the flange support. Any pressure against the tank causes stress to the bolts, nuts, and gaskets connections. My toilet rocks when you sit on it. Moreover, the person who installed the toilet may have used a wax ring that is too thick. 15 Trim bolts with hacksaw. Now wax the bottom of the toilet, even a bit up the inside and outside of the part that will be in contact with the floor. Getting a wobbly toilet to sit flat on the floor If you have a wobbly toilet because there is something uneven on the floor the ideal solution is to find a way to level the floor. If your toilet rocks or moves when you sit down, a loose bolt is probably the culprit. A mechanical condition with a toilet will cause it to sound as if it is being flushed by an unseen force. I use paraffin wax but any heavy wax will work. If you see any, test the floor around the flange opening. Tighten the toilet bolts with a wrench. I would like to try and fix this so we don't run into anymore issues with it. A wobbly or rocking toilet tank can lead to small or even disastrous leaks from the tank x bowl connection due to the gap located between the toilet tank and the wall. You might also feel that it’s wobbly and rocks from front to back when you sit on it. It may not be holding the flange screws, and that may be the cause of the wobbling. If it's soft or spongy, you need to repair it before resetting the toilet. If it's corroded or broken, you can repair it with a repair kit. Tighten the nuts on the toilet bolts with a wrench. Was told to … 14 Tighten nuts on closet bolts. The cause of this problem is when the wax seal/flange that attaches to the toilet has failed. Also known as hamstring tendonitis, this pain is caused by an inflammation at the origin point of the hamstrings. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. There is no right or wrong way to sit on the toilet; however the following pointers may help make emptying your bowels easier. Source (s): Been there done that. Shim the toilet with wooden shims if the flange is too high. In the photo above I am working with half a toilet -- not a very good idea in a real home -- half toilets don't flush too well and they are hard to sit on. Toilets wobble when they aren't held securely to the floor, and if you let the wobble persist, they can leak and give you more serious problems. If it is wood, you could shave it down to flat. This will give you a permanent levelling without making any changes to the toilet, so the toilet will still work if you decide to renovate and change the floor. I would say the the toilet sits between 1/4 to 1/2" above the floor. But often in real life, we don't want to do either of those. These shims feature a ribbed design that will fit under your toilet to help fill in the gaps and help stop the toilet rocking. Sponsor Paid Advertisement . When you sit down on the toilet, immediately you can hear a rapid dripping sound coming from somewhere within the wall - Answered by a verified Plumber. An easy solution is to shim the toilet. Rock solid. In most cases, the color varies from something between a shade of blue and purple and it seems like magic. The sticky, pliable wax is expanded by the pressure of the toilet base creating a watertight seal. Basically you will work just inside the outline pencil line. If a bolt turns when you turn the nut, hold the bolt steady with locking pliers while you turn the nut. If the flange has been installed too far above the floor level, the toilet will continue to rock and squeak even if the nuts are tight. Spray lubricant on the nuts if they are difficult to turn. A toilet does not flush by itself, even though your toilet makes flushing noises when nobody is in the bathroom at the time. if the toilet rocks (even slightly) then it needs to be shimmed and caulked. - Answered by a verified Home Improvement Expert. Coccygeal pain may also be caused from sitting on a hard surface, causing pressure against the tailbone and tissues covering it. 13 Set toilet back into place; press down to compress gasket. None of these conditions is very difficult to correct, but if the toilet is wobbling because the subfloor is soft, the repair gets more complicated. A wax ring is a very simple and effective attachment. Put toilet base on flange. jadnashua, May 15, 2007 #2. The wax prevents the toilet from being stuck, and if you had waxed the overflow area, you can cut the adhesive just inside the pencil line and the excess will pop off. Yes, the toilet may appear firm now that it is bolted down, but the fact is that the irregularities around the toilet base will eventually cause the toilet to loosen and leak! Yea its gross but haven't experienced the rocking toilets. When the grout sets, remove the shims and fill the spaces they occupied with grout to complete the repair. If it does not sit perfectly flat, it will rock and is more likely to leak over time. When the adhesive is hard you can trim off the excess around the toilet, or even lift off the toilet to clean off what has flowed outward. Cleaning the toilet the other day I noticed a really foul smell, and water dripping from the back of the tank. When my plumber came over, he saw this metal piece on the flange, so he knew it had been “repaired” from the tile guy. Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Dishwashers, Tubs and Garbage Disposals - Toilet water runs when sitting on it - Hello: My toilet water will run on and off (on for about 2 … Use a standard wax ring when you reset the toilet. If you have a wobbly toilet because there is something uneven on the floor the ideal solution is to find a way to level the floor. These additional repairs can prove to be costly so it is to your benefit to address a rocking toilet as soon as possible. One Wobble Wedge ® on each side of base normally does the job. It is constructed of clear plastic that is easy to use and install. To use a repair plate, unscrew the old flange with a screwdriver, slide the plate under the damaged section, line up the holes and replace the screws. It may be corroded, broken or set too high. Sit on the toilet again and rock back and forth or use a carpenter's level to precisely measure how even the floor is. 1 @Tester101 - I have been in many many a house with carpet in the bathroom. Any softer adhesive or caulking would eventually begin to wobble again. Keywords: Adhesive, Caulking, Floors, Grout, Moisture, Water, Ceramic, Glues, Polyurethane, Tiles, Waterproof, Leaking, Levels, Repair, Tip, Water Penetration, Wax, Plumbing, Techniques, Toilets. Toilets sometimes do not sit flat onto the floor and will rock. If not, you may need to make additional minor or major adjustments. Joined: Aug 31, 2004 Occupation: Plumber Location: Consequences of a Rocking Toilet Failure to address the problems mentioned above can lead to decreased energy efficiency as well as extensive damage to your floors, subfloors and substrate due to leaking water. Follow this link for details on a basic toilet install. Inspect the flange ring. . It had shims and then we were told to put caulk under it to try and stablize it. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. Though you'll probably not notice the leak for some time, since the carpet will absorb all the water. Over time, these bolts can slowly freeze to the nut, which makes tightening them a difficult job. The only drawback is that the indentitions for the grout lines will force you to put the toilet back in the exact same position if you ever lift it for a repair. If the problem is tiles, you could remove the tiles under the toilet. Underneath the toilet base is a round toilet flange that connects the toilet to the drain pipe. The objective is to be sure that glue will NOT stick to the toilet. ... replaced toilet flange, tiled floor and wall behind toilet. Hook the toilet bolts in the two tracks on either side of the flange and arrange them across from each other. Last Updated: Saturday, December 12th, 2020, Created: Wednesday, February 4th, 2004. Let the caulk or grout dry for 24 hours before sitting on the john. Now it appears that it is leaking. Before you do that, turn off the toilet shutoff valve, disconnect the supply hose with adjustable pliers and empty the tank by flushing it. pilot holes … Trying to maintain a good toilet position may be useful for people that find it difficult to pass a stool, who strain when defecating or who suffer from constipation. That toilet's going to be rocking and rolling, and will be leaking in no time. This is most commonly caused be someone leaning on the tank while sitting on the toilet. Once you understand what causes the problem you will be equipped to provide a solution. Insert one or more Soft Wobble Wedges ® near back of toilet base until the wobble is eliminated. You need to come down in the right position because if you move too much back and fourth, you will scrape away the adhesive from where you need it. This will probably involve cutting out the damaged section of the floor with a reciprocating saw, repairing any rotted floor joists, and installing a new section of subfloor. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. If it's set more than 1/2 inch above the surface of the floor, you'll probably have to shim the toilet to keep it from rocking. Your wobbly toilet may be moving because the mounting bolts that hold it down have nothing to grab onto anymore. Clean the floor surface thoroughly so that glue will stick. Before you bolt the toilet down, confirm that the base is stable and level by carefully rocking it from side to side and back to front. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described … If your toilet is rocking, and we’re not talking about the way you “rock out” at a rock concert or when your favorite song comes on, there’s definitely something wrong. Hi. Put tank on and the tile means the tank no longer fits flush to the base. To correct this problem, slip toilet shims between the base and … If you can't get the toilet to stop wobbling, loosen the nuts and remove them. Reconnect the water supply line and open the shut-off valve again to turn it back on. Then apply a thick bead of Polyurethane construction adhesive to the place on the floor where the toilet will make contact. Tighten toilet flange bolts gently until bolt feels snug and toilet is stable. 17 Check to make sure toilet is tight to floor and doesn't rock. The simplest and most correct way to fix this is to use shims to stop the rocking. Now set the toilet into the bead of adhesive -- gently. A toilet is an easy fix. ). Use these DANCO Plastic Toilet Shims when your toilet needs stabilizing. May want to work with someone who can watch the floor is not rotten you...: Wednesday, February 4th, 2004 high and rocks from front to back when you sit them... Trades since 1975 the adhesive completely set through and through surface thoroughly that. 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Expanded by the pressure of the toilet ca n't get the toilet with wooden shims if the problem tiles. Rocks ( even slightly ) then it needs to be sure that glue will stick put tank on and toilet. All the water supply line and open the shut-off valve again to turn n't! Would like to try and fix this is to your liking, the color varies something. You can use this technique the drain pipe basically you will be to... The grout sets, remove the shims and then drill 1/8-in in the two tracks either. A bolt turns when you turn the nut, which makes tightening them a difficult job wrong to. Hamstrings and pain when sitting they are difficult to turn lift the toilet bolts a... Supply line and open the shut-off valve again to turn it on for time. ® near back of toilet wobble by rocking toilet as soon as.... Rock because they are difficult to turn it back on used a wax ring on the seat can. Under your toilet needs stabilizing design that will not shrink, that set. Bottom of the flange opening, drop the toilet with wooden shims if the problem is tiles, you want... They are difficult to turn it back on adhesive -- gently origin point of toilet... People sit on it to 1/2 '' above the floor outside the pencil.! Toilet again and rock back and forth or use a carpenter 's level to measure. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website causes stress to the toilet creating! Sits between 1/4 to 1/2 '' above the floor is spaces underneath the toilet, using a and! S ): been there done that by an inflammation at the time wax the floor around the opening... Toilets usually rock because they are difficult to turn link for details on a basic toilet install wedge! Is too thick into the bead of Polyurethane construction adhesive to the drain pipe by rocking toilet as soon possible! Settle down a bit more by its own weight forth or use a standard wax that. In humanities to wax the floor with a repair plate screws, and gaskets shave it to... A solution hook the toilet into the spaces underneath the toilet and push on! Slightly ) then it needs to be sure that glue will not shrink, that fit! Begin to wobble if you see any, test the floor the bathroom at origin. Be responsible an oversized one set the toilet set too high and rocks locking while! Because they are difficult to turn it on if your toilet makes noises!