"Drips from toilet" on floor. Advice?

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J

JLyn69 Asked July 2021

"Drips from toilet" on floor. Advice?

We had the toilet replaced few years ago with a low-flush. I knew flooring was stained and suspected possible further damage so asked contractor to stop if that existed so damage could be fixed first. Said it was ok. New toilet did not cover the stained area, so opted to use an insert to cover stained area (barely). ("Johnny Foot"?) Problem is that 'drips' end up around edge of toilet and insert and they are seeping underneath. Hubs denies anything is there. I asked plumber if the lower edge of toilet (with or without an insert) should have caulking applied to prevent anything from seeping under the toilet and was told no - you might have a leak under the toilet and wouldn't know about it. Short of trying to leech out any 'drips' what else can be done? Of course, it's a case of denial that anything is on the floor. Same for finding puddles of water on kitchen floor - apparently tipping cup while walking and spills - 'nope, not me'.

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score 1 · Answer 1

Thanks all for thoughts for this stinky problem. I understand the issue with wax ring - makes sense not to caulk completely. Johnny Foot goes around front and does not completely cover the stained flooring. Hindsight - should have had the floor changed but that is never simple - you'd end up changing out the vanity that was damaged when he left water running (and of course there is no overflow drain on the sink - did that twice....thankful I have a big ShopVac), then the sink, and on it goes. With the hope that the under flooring isn't damaged, best I could do is caulk around the front of base of the toilet, and the front of the Johnny Foot only and and leave back side of both uncaulked ....and keep an eye out for ooze that doesn't belong on the floor. I can see a remodel coming one of these days to make things more handicap accessible (or move!). One mandate will be a sink with an overflow drain. No idea why they aren't commonly available, at least not in this area. Life is never dull.

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score 1 · Answer 2

I am confused. A toilet should not be leaking anywhere.

We had our whole bath gutted a few years back. The sub-flooring around the tub was the worst because the toilet seal leaked between the linoleum flooring and the sub-floor. The contractor made sure he sealed around that hole so no water could get under the linoleum before he put the seal in. Those seals need to be replaced when the seal breaks. You know thats happened when water seeps around the bottom edge of the toilet bowl. The water line into the tank has a gasket that will leak as does the hole the water flushes down in the tank to the toilet bowl.

I can see you caulking around the edge of the toilet bowl because of "leaks" (and aware what you mean) but don't understand why not the back? "Is" it because of maybe a broken seal being the problem and not the "leaks"?

In reference to the "leaks". I have to say that this isn't a problem in my house. One man 3 woman at one time. If it was, DH would be cleaning up after himself. Had to clean up after Dad when Mom was away caring for my Sister. Mom had one of those rugs that fits around the toilet. Yep, washed it everytime I was over there. Never understood it.

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Haven't seen those toilet rugs for years! Thought they were dreadful, but now starting to realize they were designed for a reason....by someone tired of moping up the oops.

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score 1 · Answer 3

Agreeing with Goddatter. I've replaced toilets and every how-to stated to seal with caulk around the whole thing! Never made sense to me because how else would I know there's a leak that needs fixing?! I left a wide gap in the back where it was noticeable but I could see evidence of leaking.

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Yes. Standard, which is what the original poster’s plumber is saying, is to not caulk around the base so you will know if the wax ring starts to leak. If you have full caulking around the bottom of the toilet and the wax ring leaks it will push water and sewage under your flooring and into the underlayment, and ultimately cause a disaster. You actually want any sewage leak to immediately make itself known by leaking out onto your floor. But, as reality makes clear, men, boys especially, will pee off the front edge of the bowl. That pee runs under the uncaulked edge and under the toilet, and starts to stink. The split-the-difference approach is to caulk the front edge and halfway down the sides to stop the pee from running underneath, but leave the back edge uncaulked so you know immediately if the wax ring starts to leak.

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score 4 · Answer 4

Caulk the front edge of the toilet, but leave the back without caulk. That’s the usual way to deal with this.

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"Drips from toilet" on floor. Advice?

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