Toilets are prone to becoming wobbly or starting to rock over time. The reason for this is that continually sitting down and standing up puts pressure on the toilet and can cause the hardware that secures it to the floor to loosen. Sometimes, this is a problem you can easily fix on your own, but it depends on the specific cause of the issue.
Loose Toilet Bolt
Toilets are secured to the floor in two different places. The bolt-on each side of the bottom of the bowl fastens to the floor, and the wax ring and toilet flange underneath the bowl also help to hold it securely in place and prevent it from leaking. In many cases, simply using a wrench to tighten the nut on each of the two bolts will stop the toilet from wobbling.
This is typically something you could do yourself. However, you need to be extremely careful not to overtighten the nuts, or else you could easily crack the porcelain. If the base of the toilet cracks, it will no longer be secure and will need to be completely replaced.
Wax Ring Is Too High
There are also times that a toilet will wobble or rock because the wax ring is slightly above the floor level so that it doesn’t completely rest against the floor. This can happen due to improper installation, but it usually results from the floor having slightly settled.
In this situation, the solution is usually to insert plastic shims underneath the base of the toilet and then re-caulk all the way around it. This is something having a plumber do since any issues with the wax ring can lead to the toilet leaking.
Worn-Out Wax Ring or Broken Toilet Flange
The wax ring is what creates a watertight seal between the toilet and the drain pipe. The toilet flange is located underneath the wax ring, which secures the toilet to the drain pipe and the wooden subfloor. If either of these components is worn out or broken, it will also usually cause the toilet to wobble or rock side to side.
Replacing either the wax ring or the toilet flange is definitely a task that should be left to an experienced plumber. The only way to access these components is to uninstall the toilet by draining it, disconnecting the tank from the bowl, and then disconnecting and completely removing the bowl.
Performing these tasks can easily damage or ruin the toilet if you’re not careful, and there is also a risk of damaging your flooring. If either the wax ring or flange isn’t installed properly, it will also lead to water leaking out of the base of the toilet and potentially doing significant damage.
Other Issues That Indicate You Need Toilet Repairs
When dealing with a wobbly toilet, an obvious sign that you need to have a plumber repair your toilet is if you notice it is leaking or see any evidence of water damage around it. You won’t always see water if there is a leak around the wax ring, but you may notice that the flooring starts to warp or feels soft and spongy. If the toilet is on an upper floor, you may also eventually notice signs of a leak in the ceiling below it.
The other sure signs that your toilet needs repairing are if it starts running constantly or occasionally refills when it hasn’t been used. These problems are also something you will need the help of a plumber to fix. It could be that the fill valve is bad or stuck open, the float is misaligned, the rubber flapper is worn, or a variety of other issues.
Contact the Pros
Gunthers Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing has been serving residential and commercial customers in the American Fork area since 1910. As the most experienced home service company in the area, we’re ready to help if you need toilet repairs or any other plumbing service.
In addition, we install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. If you’re having issues with your toilet wobbling or need to schedule any other service, contact us today to get the prompt, professional help your home or business needs.
