Does your toilet rock back and forth when you sit down? A wobbly toilet is more than just an annoyance; it ruins the wax seal and leads to nasty leaks. Learning how to level a toilet saves you money on plumbers and protects your bathroom floor from water damage.
We explain the best techniques for stabilizing a toilet, including how to use shims and when you need to replace the wax ring.
Key Takeaways
- Diagnose the issue: Use a spirit level to determine if the floor is uneven or if the flange is broken.
- Use proper materials: Always use plastic shims rather than wood, which rots and compresses over time.
- Protect the seal: Avoid rocking the toilet excessively, as this breaks the wax ring and causes leaks.
- Secure safely: Tighten bolts gradually to avoid cracking the porcelain base.
Why You Must Level a Toilet
A toilet must be level to function correctly. If it rocks, the movement breaks the wax seal underneath. This allows sewer gas and water to escape, leading to rotten subfloors and expensive repairs.
Beyond the damage, an uneven toilet is uncomfortable. It poses a safety risk for children and seniors who might lose their balance on a shifting seat.
How to Test if a Toilet is Level
You must determine if the toilet itself is the problem or if you have an uneven floor. You need a small spirit level (often called a torpedo level) for this task.
First, close the lid and place the level across the seat. Check the bubble. If it is centered, the bowl is level. Next, place the level on the floor next to the toilet. If the bubble favors the left or right, your floor is uneven. You will need to use shims to correct the gap.
Method 1: How to Level a Toilet (Full Reset)
If your toilet leaks or wobbles significantly, you should remove it to inspect the flange and replace the wax ring. This method ensures a fresh seal and a solid foundation.
Tools You Need
- Adjustable wrench.
- Flathead screwdriver.
- Old newspapers or cardboard.
- Old towels.
- Putty knife.
- Sponge.
- Plastic toilet shims.
- Spirit level.
- Bucket.
- Rubber gloves.
1. Turn Off the Water
Locate the isolation valve behind the toilet. Turn the knob clockwise to the “off” position. If there is no valve, shut off the water at the main house valve.
Disconnect the supply line from the tank using your adjustable wrench or by hand if the nut is plastic.
2. Drain the Toilet
Place towels around the base to catch spills. Flush the toilet and hold the handle down to drain the tank.
Use a sponge to soak up remaining water in the tank and bowl. Squeeze the water into a bucket. The toilet must be empty before you lift it.
Safety Note
Always wear rubber gloves. Residual water contains bacteria and waste that pose a health risk.
3. Unscrew the Bolts
Pry off the plastic caps covering the closet bolts at the base. Use your wrench to remove the nuts. If they are rusted, you may need to cut them with a hacksaw.
4. Remove the Toilet
Toilets are heavy and awkward. Lift with your legs, not your back. Rock the toilet slightly to break the old wax seal, then lift it straight up. Set it down on old newspapers or cardboard to protect your floor.
Inspect the flange (the bracket on the floor). If it is cracked or broken, you must install a repair kit before proceeding.
5. Clean the Flange
Use a putty knife to scrape the old wax off the flange and the bottom of the toilet horn. The surface must be clean for the new seal to stick.
6. Install New Wax Ring
Place a new wax ring directly onto the flange on the floor. Alternatively, you can press it onto the toilet outlet. Ensure the plastic horn (if equipped) faces down into the drain.
Take Note
Do not damage the shape of the wax ring. A deformed ring will not create a watertight seal.
7. Re-Seat the Toilet
Lift the toilet and lower it over the flange bolts. Press down firmly to compress the wax ring. Do not rock it vigorously, or you will break the fresh seal.
8. Level and Shim
Place your level across the bowl. If it is not level, insert plastic shims under the low side of the base. Tap them in gently until the bubble is centered.
9. Tighten and Test
Install the washers and nuts onto the closet bolts. Tighten them alternately (left, then right) to ensure even pressure. Do not overtighten, or the porcelain will crack.
Reconnect the water supply, turn the valve on, and flush. Check for leaks around the base. Finally, trim the excess shim material with a utility knife and apply a bead of caulk around the base.
Method 2: How to Shim a Toilet (The Quick Fix)
If your toilet does not leak and the wax ring is intact, you can stabilize a wobble without removing the toilet entirely.
Tools You Need
- Plastic shims (wobble wedges).
- Utility knife.
- Adjustable wrench.
- Silicon caulk.
1. Locate the Gaps
Clean the floor around the base of the toilet. Get down on the floor and look for light passing between the porcelain and the flooring. Rock the toilet gently to see which side lifts up.
2. Loosen the Bolts
Remove the bolt caps. Use your wrench to slightly loosen the nuts on both sides. Do not remove them; just give yourself enough room to slide a shim in.
3. Insert Shims
Slide the plastic shims into the gaps where the toilet lifts off the floor. Push them in until the toilet feels solid and does not rock.
4. Check Level and Tighten
Place your spirit level on the bowl to ensure it is sitting flat. Once satisfied, retighten the bolts carefully.
Top Tip
Switch between tightening the left and right bolts. This keeps the tension even and prevents the toilet from tilting again.
5. Trim and Caulk
Use a sharp utility knife to score and snap off the exposed parts of the shims. They should be flush with the toilet base. Apply a bead of tub-and-tile caulk around the base to hide the shims and prevent dirt accumulation.
FAQs
Should You Caulk Around a Toilet?
Yes, plumbing codes usually require caulking the toilet base to the floor. It prevents urine and mop water from seeping under the toilet and rotting the subfloor. However, leave a small gap at the back uncauked. This allows water to escape if the wax ring leaks, alerting you to the problem.
How Do You Hide Toilet Shims?
You hide toilet shims by cutting the excess material flush with the toilet base using a utility knife. After trimming, run a bead of white silicone caulk around the base. This conceals the shim and creates a clean, professional finish.
Is an Uneven Toilet Dangerous?
Yes, an uneven toilet is dangerous. Over time, the rocking motion destroys the wax seal, causing leaks that rot floor joists. It also puts stress on the porcelain, which can eventually crack and collapse under weight.
Can I Use Wood Shims?
No, you should never use wood shims in a bathroom. Wood absorbs moisture from the air and cleaning, causing it to rot, compress, and harbor mold. Always use plastic or hard rubber shims designed for plumbing fixtures.
Why Does My Toilet Wobble?
A toilet usually wobbles because the floor underneath is uneven or the toilet flange is sitting too high. In some cases, the flange bolts have simply worked themselves loose over time and need tightening.
Fix Your Rocking Toilet Today
Leveling a toilet is a straightforward DIY task that protects your home from water damage. Whether you need a full reset with a new wax ring or just a few strategic shims, fixing the wobble immediately is vital.
Grab your spirit level and plastic shims, and get your bathroom fixture secure and safe.
