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How To Fix A Wobbly Toilet Base

How do you fix a loose toilet base?

Instructions Check the Bolts First. Sometimes a rocking toilet can be fixed by tightening the two flange bolts, or closet bolts, at the base of the toilet. Look for Leaks. Confirm that your toilet is not leaking. Locate the Gaps. Insert the Shims. Trim the Shims. Caulk Around the Base. Let the Caulk Dry.

How do you stop a toilet from rocking?

How do you fix a rocking toilet on an uneven floor?

Stack two wood shims on top of one another. Slide them under the front of toilet base. Push both shims toward the toilet until the toilet does not wobble. Add two more stacked shims 3 inches to the left and another two 3 inches to the right of the first set of shims.

Why is my toilet rocking side to side?

One of the most common things that causes a toilet to rock back and forth are loose flange bolts. These are the bolts that hold the toilet down at an even level with the floor in your bathroom. A toilet does not screw directly into the ground. Instead, it screws into what’s called a toilet flange, or a closet flange.

Can you replace toilet bolts without removing toilet?

You can’t replace a closet bolt without removing the bowl. Pull the bowl, and next time pick up brass bolts. Not the coated steel bolts.

What causes a toilet to wobble?

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. More often than not, the wobble is caused by loose toilet bolts, but the flange may also be responsible. It may be corroded, broken or set too high.

Is a rocking toilet bad?

Fortunately, a rocking toilet isn’t going to cause you much personal harm, but a loose, wobbly toilet is still something you should fix. This is actually kind of important since it can eventually lead to sewer gas leakage or worse, a water leak that can damage your home.

How much does it cost to fix a wobbly toilet?

The national average price for repairs is $75 to $200, with most people paying $150 on average to replace the syphon.Toilet Repair Price by Type of Repair. Type of Repair Average Cost (Labor Included) Wobbly Toilet $60 – $150 Seal $60 – $150 Flush $75 – $200 Bowl $100 – $300.

How do I keep my toilet from moving?

To steady a rocking toilet, cut plastic shims to fit and slip them underneath (you may have to remove caulk before adding shims). Then caulk around the toilet and snug down the nuts on the bolts. But don’t crank them down super-tight; that can crack the toilet.

Does a toilet need to be bolted down?

The flange should be fastened to the floor. Dry fit the toilet to make sure it doesn’t rock. If it does rock, use shims to prevent rocking – just tightening the bolts probably will not stop the rocking but will risk cracking the toilet or breaking the flange.

Can you reuse toilet flange bolts?

Remove the old hold-down bolts – don’t reuse them. You may want to clean and paint the wall behind the toilet. Also, inspect the toilet flange for sound condition. It should stick up about 1/2″ from the finished bathroom floor.

Can a loose toilet leak?

A loose toilet can cause a leak at the sewer line, and worse, flood the bathroom floor. It can lead to rotted wood and mildew and mold problems. If neglected, the leak can destroy the floor, leading to costly repair and replacement. When the bolts become loose, the toilet can rock back and forth.

Can you use shims to level a toilet?

Toilet shims are thin plastic or rubber tabs that are used to level a toilet. You can also use homemade wooden shims or stainless steel coins. If a toilet is installed on an uneven floor or if the toilet flange is too high off the floor, the toilet will need to be shimmed.

Can you level a toilet with grout?

Push the grout into the joint between the toilet base and the tile. You can use a rubber grout float or a pointing trowel, but the best tool is your finger. Push enough into the joint that all voids are filled, then smooth the joint with your finger. Allow it to set for a few minutes before washing.

How much should a plumber charge to replace a toilet?

A plumber charges around $375 to replace a toilet. Most charge between $275 and $480. This includes the cost of removing and disposing of your old toilet. Note that the actual cost to replace a toilet depends on your location, the type of toilet and the difficulty of the installation.

How much does it cost to reseat a toilet?

While removing and resetting a toilet may seem like a big job, mechanically it is one of the easier DIY tasks there is. While a professional plumber can change as much as $200 for a service call to reset a toilet, a DIYer can do it for just $10 to $20, the cost of a new wax ring.

How much is it to repair a toilet?

Toilet Repair Cost Homeowners pay an average of $241 to fix a broken toilet. Project costs typically range from $148 and $347. In some cases, a professional plumber will charge a flat rate for a project. Depending on location, a pro might charge anywhere from $45 to $150 per hour for their services.