House detective Sean Kelly inspects a 1959 Ranch-style home in San Jose, Calif., to discover a loose toilet. In this case, it turned out that the wax ring seal underneath the commode was shot and a plumber would have to make the replacement. Sometimes, however, tightening up a loose toilet is a relatively simple project.
Before getting out your wrench set, it's important to make sure that a loose toilet hasn't caused the seal to start leaking. Check for signs of water damage at the base of the toilet, or possibly in the space below. Once you've ruled out a leak, you can tighten the toilet base using a wrench. Here's how:
- Look for the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor. They're called "closet bolts"--as in water closet, and often they're concealed under little plastic caps, which you can pry up with a screwdriver. Tighten the bolts on alternating sides, a little bit at a time, until the toilet is secure.
- Do not over tighten the nuts, or you're likely to break the toilet itself. Use penetrating oil if the nuts are rusted or stuck to the bolts. If you have a tile floor and he toilet stills slides a bit after tightening the bolts, you can try using an adhesive caulk to stop the sliding.
Remember, tightening the toilet will reduce wear and tear on the wax ring that sits between the toilet and the waste line. If you find signs of a leak, like water stains, call a plumber.
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