Toilet Leaking at the Base

A puddle at the toilet base means the wax ring under the bowl has failed or the bowl is rocking on the flange.

Common causes

• Compressed or shifted wax ring
• Bowl not bolted tight to the flange
• Damaged or corroded closet flange
• Cracked toilet base or tank-to-bowl bolts

Step-by-step

1. 01Dry the floor and watch: leak after a flush = wax ring; leak all the time = supply
2. 02Rock the bowl side-to-side — any movement means bad seal
3. 03Shut off the supply, drain the bowl, and lift the toilet
4. 04Replace the wax ring and reset — replace the flange if corroded

When to call Northbridge

• Flange is corroded or set below the finished floor
• Subfloor is soft or damaged around the toilet
• Base is cracked or tank bolts are leaking
• You'd rather not lift a 90-lb toilet