If your toilet is leaking at the base, you need to stop using it. Water leaking from underneath is normally dirty water that was in the bowl, and it can damage your floor. You should turn the water off, which you can do by turning the knob on the wall behind the toilet. Once you determine the source of the water, you can get it fixed and turn the water back on. Read on to learn how to tell if the toilet is leaking underneath.

Look for the Source of the Leak

The first thing you can do is check the entire toilet for the source of the leak. You need to look above the bowl to see if there is any water on the outside of the toilet. If you find water up there, it cannot be leaking from the base alone. You can check behind the toilet, check the tank, and look to see if there are any drips.

If there is no water coming from above, you can look down around the base of the toilet. You might be able to see the water dripping around the base, at the bottom. The most important thing is to determine exactly where the water is leaking so that you can repair it properly. There are some leaks that you can repair yourself, but others may require a service.

Check the T-Bolts

The t-bolts are at the base of the toilet, and they fasten the toilet to the floor. If they get loose, they can leak. You can remove the plastic covers over them, and check for leakage. This is an easy fix because you can tighten the t-bolts and place the covers back on them. Be careful when you do it so that you do not overtighten them and crack the porcelain.

If you have an older toilet, it might be a good idea to have a professional plumber take a look. The t-bolts can become loose, but they may also need to be replaced or repaired. It is important to pay attention when things start going wrong because if the toilet goes bad, you could find a lot of water leaking and flooding your bathroom, which would cause more damage.

Check the Wax Ring Seal

There is a connection that goes between the toilet and the drain pipe, which is where your water drains out from the toilet. You should be able to find it behind the toilet. The wax ring is what seals the connection so that it doesn’t leak. If this is where you find the leak, you will need to replace the wax ring.

You should buy a new wax ring and shut off the water supply to the toilet. You can then disconnect the water supply line. Once this is done, you can unscrew the t-bolts and remove the toilet. Place it on its side, and clean away whatever is left of the wax ring. Now, you will want to place the new wax ring on the bottom of the toilet. You can reset the toilet and tighten the t-bolts. Afterward, reconnect the water supply line. Now you can turn the water valve back on and test the toilet. This should clear the leak.

When a toilet has a leak, it can escalate quickly, so it is important to find out where the leak is and repair it. You can check the body of the toilet to make sure the leak is coming from the base, and then check the t-bolts and the drain connection. You will want to repair the toilet right away because it can quickly let out a lot of water. It can even flood your bathroom, which can be a disaster. Once you know how to check for the source of the leak, you will be able to find it and repair it yourself or call a plumber.