Fix Wobbly Toilet

Home repair expert Henry Harrison shows a guest how to remove a toilet, replace the wax seal and reinstall the bowl to get rid of a wobble.

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Materials and Tools:

bucket
level
sponge
scouring pad
siphon
putty knife
adjustable wrench
hacksaw
rubber gloves
alcohol
paper towels
wax ring
bolts
plumbers putty
cap
heatproof grease
caulk

Steps:

1. Turn off water to the toilet and flush. Siphon any remaining water out of the bowl.

2. Detach supply line from tank, remove nuts holding the toilet base to the floor bolts and carefully lift it off the bolts. Toilets are heavy so be sure to lift with your legs, not your back.

3. Spread some newspapers on the floor and sit the toilet on its back in the center of the papers. Scrape away any old putty and/or wax from the base using a putty knife until you have a nice, smooth surface.

4. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with rubbing alcohol.

5. Stuff an old towel into the pipe opening in the floor to keep out sewer gases. Remove the old wax ring and clean the surfaces of the flange. Also remove the brass bolts from the flange.

6. Install new wax ring and brass retaining bolts.

7. Roll plumber’s putty into narrow ropes and then press the lengths around the base of the toilet.

8. Carefully hoist toilet back into place. Check to make sure the toilet is level, then place the washers and nuts back on the bolts. Trim away excess putty from the base of the toilet.

9. Coat the supply line with heat-proof grease and reattach. Turn on the water and allow the tank to fill. Insert a bit of putty in the bolt covers and snap into place.

10. Run a bead of latex caulk around the base of the toilet. Let the wax and putty set for at least eight hours before returning the toilet to service.