The toilet is among the most often used fixtures in your home. As such, discovering a leak around the base can pose a major inconvenience. Here's what you should know about this common problem and the toilet repairs a plumber might need to perform to resolve the issue.

What Causes a Toilet to Leak at the Base?

A leak around the toilet’s base means that water is somehow flowing out of the bowl. The issue is often due to a weakened wax ring, which is the protective barrier that creates a seal around the toilet’s base and the drain pipe underneath. 

You can test this possibility by wiping up the water and then observing where the liquid comes from as it seeps out. If it’s due to a weakened seal, it will always leak from under the toilet. Other culprits that may produce water around the base include damage to the tank and a broken shutoff valve, both of which can cause moisture to drip down.

How Can a Plumber Fix the Problem?

In some cases, the plumber might be able to resolve the leak very easily if they determine that the base simply isn’t bolted tightly enough. This simple toilet repair is as easy as screwing the bolts on snugly, although a screwdriver may be necessary to work the caps off them first. The professional will know how to tighten them securely without going overboard; tightening them too much can cause the base of the toilet to develop cracks.

If that doesn’t work, your plumber will need to replace the wax seal. They’ll have to detach the toilet to properly center the new seal, then reattach it securely. At that point, they’ll flush the toilet to ensure it's no longer leaking at the base.

If there's water pooling around the base of your toilet, turn to the team at Bradford & Sons Electrical Plumbing & Heating in Canandaigua, NY. They offer a variety of services, including toilet repairs. They'll determine the source of the leak and resolve the problem as soon as possible with minimal disruption to your household. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help, or call (585) 657-7309 to schedule an appointment.