Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Have a leak between drain and wax seal

My toilet in the basement seems to be leaking. I notice there was mold forming all around the base of the toilet and it's expanding with time. I had already removed the toilet once and replaced the wax seal and the flange it sits on.

The basement floor is actually a wooden floor sitting on concrete. Therefore shims were placed underneath the flange to bring the wax seal up to level with the wooden floor. Perhaps this is where the leak is?


How should I fix it?

All areas affected by mold and mildew will have to be disinfected to kill the spores, including all wood around toilet and the toilet too. Mold and mildew spores are everywhere in the air. When they find a damp, soiled, poorly ventilated area, they tend to set up housekeeping.

Many prefer wax rings with a plastic funnel, which helps prevent leaks. Some use two plain wax rings when height is an issue. The wax ring should stick to toilet and flange. Before installing new wax rings, clean bottom of toilet by scraping. Then, spray with WD-40 and wipe clean. Install new bolts. Place ring on drain and press in place. Line up toilet with bolts and press down. Then sit on toilet, rocking and wiggling around to assure the wax ring is sealed. Don't overtighten the bolts. Excess can be cut off with hacksaw. Some caulk around base of toilet in gap at floor, leaving the back gap open in case of a leak.

Any movement in toilet can break the seal. Toilet should sit firmly on the floor without movement.

I took possession of a house that the original owner added a 2nd bath with toilet. Since the toilet was dumping water into the basement from the first floor, I took it up to replace the wax ring...but...no flange...the wax ring that was there was just sitting on top of a pipe coming up thru the floor from the the cast iron drain pipe in the basement. the lag screws holding the toilet down were fastened to the plywood floor, which is naturally getting quite rotten from the leak. Is there a flange kit that fits in the pipe coming up that isnt too hard to fasten?

The wax rings with the funnel, which I believe fits inside the pipe, are available.

Oatey makes a tall wax ring, also for those applications requiring more wax for a build up situation. I believe it is a #11 or #10. They also have a bell.

Im have no problem with the wax rings. Im just thinking that having a flange there would be the proper way to anchor a toilet. Ive never seen one that didnt have a flange (until now)

Maybe I misread the post but it states that shims were added under the flange to bring the wax ring to floor level, the flange should be setting on top of the floor not below the floor, this is what is causing your leak, too much gap. You may be able to get away with installing one wax ring(without the collar/funnel) on the flange then attach another wax ring(with the collar/funnel) on the bottom of the toilet to fill the gap. Have a nice day. Geo

There is no flange anywhere above OR below the floor. The wax ring was sitting on the top of the pipe...the toilet bolts were lag screws that went into the floor.

Sorry for my mis-interpitation, you need to get a flange on there. I didn't reread all the posts so I will start as ignorant. It the pipe is pvc, repair floor and attach the appropiate length to get above the flange above floor. It it is cast I think there are extension flanges to accomidate the raising of the flange(when tile floor or additional floors are added). You can use an Epoxy type putty rather than lead to attach the flange. Good luck. Have a nice day. Gewo

Its a metal pipe but doesnt appear to be cast. It might be copper, but more likely steel. It goes down about a foot and a half to a cast iron elbow where it is fastened with a sealer of the type you mention. Maybe I should just knock this pipe loose and replace it with a new pipe/Flange?

WML13;
I agree, replace the pipe it will save you a lot of headaches/leakaches in the longrun, just remember the flange goes on top of the floor. Have a nice day. Geo