This week, one of my regular Lee’s Summit plumbing customers complained of a water leak in their ceiling from a toilet. They were upset not only because of the possible damage to their ceiling. But also because they’d had another company reset the toilet just last year.
I asked if they had a new tile floor installed in the bathroom. They said they had. It was done last year. They had the remodeler reset the toilet.
I told them that this is a common problem. The remodeler had installed tile that was thicker than the old flooring tile. This raised the top of the floor above the toilet flange. This creates a gap between the bottom of the toilet & the toilet flange to which it connects.
This gap can create leaks when the toilet is flushed. The wax seal between the bottom of the toilet and toilet flange is compromised.
Wax ring issues
Most remodelers & inexperienced plumbers will install two toilet wax rings to fill the gap. But this is only a temporary solution. The wax will sag & begin to leak after one to three years. This creates a gap in the wax seal and the toilet begins to leak.
Unfortunately this amount of time is beyond the average warranty. So the remodeler or plumber never hears of the mistake. And they can’t learn from it. They continue the poor practice and the customer calls me.
A toilet flange should be just slightly above the bathroom flooring. To fix their problem I pulled the toilet. I installed a toilet flange extension on top of the toilet flange and reset the toilet.
I apologized to my customer for the inconvenience created by the remodelers mistake. And I explained to them that even experienced plumbers are convinced wax ring stacking is a correct method.
Reasons your toilet might leak through the ceiling
Common causes of upstairs toilet leaking:
Wax ring seal failure.
We’ve already covered this issue–the wax ring creates a watertight seal between the toilet and flange, in an ideal world. These can deteriorate over time. The seal can break due to toilet rocking. And sometimes someone stacked wax rings. Silly.
This is the most common cause of flush-related toilet leaks.
Cracked toilet flange.
This is when the flange itself is the compromised material. It connects the toilet to the drain pipe. It can crack from stress, age, or improper installation. If you change the wax ring with a cracked flange, you will likely still have leaks.
Loose supply line connections.
Sometimes water supply lines have loose fittings. Worn out washers or corroded connections can also cause leaking here. You might see constant dripping or sudden bursts during pressure changes.
Damaged drain pipe.
There may be damage to the drain pipe itself, joint failures at connections, or age-related deterioration.
Clogged drain line.
A backup in your drain line can cause water to seek alternate paths, like, through your ceiling. Pressure buildup can also lead to seal failures. Sometimes, you may think a clogged drain line is the issue, but it’s actually just exacerbating the effects of a minor leak elsewhere in the system.
Cracked toilet base.
Hairline cracks in your porcelain–from impact damage, stress fractures, or deterioration–can also cause toilet leaks that might drip through to the ceiling below.
Warning signs for leaky toilets
The only thing worse than a leaky toilet is a leaky toilet that you don’t know is leaking.
Here are a few things you can look out for.
Visual Indicators
Water stains. Brown or yellowish rings on your ceiling, expanding water marks, or discoloration patterns.
Active dripping. Visible water during or after flushing, consistent moisture patterns, and timing correlation with toilet use.
Environmental Signs
Odors. Musty, damp smells, sewage odors that might indicate waste water, or a general “wet” smell in the area.
Structural Indicators
Ceiling material changes. Paint bubbling/peeling, saggy drywall, texture changes in the ceiling material.
Progressive damage. Expanding stain areas on ceiling or walls, mold or mildew, ceiling material deterioration.
How to avoid water leaking when toilet flushes
You might want to jump ahead of the problem and learn how to prevent leakage in the first place.
PREVENTION CHECKLIST
What you can do now:
- Check toilet base monthly
- Look for water around base
- Test for movement/rocking of toilet
- Inspect caulking and seals
- Listen for unusual sounds
General toilet maintenance:
- Wax Ring Protection
- Replace every 5-7 years
- Install correctly with even pressure
- Use high-quality wax rings
- Ensure proper toilet height
- Check manufacturer specifications
Flange Maintenance
- Ensure proper height
- Check for cracks
- Keep clean and debris-free
- Use flange repair kits if needed
- Consider metal reinforcement rings
- Don’t double stack
Connection Checks
- Tighten supply line connections
- Use braided steel supply lines
- Replace rubber washers regularly
- Check for corrosion
- Avoid over-tightening
Drainage System Care
- Avoid chemical drain cleaners
- Use enzymatic cleaners
- Regular professional drain cleaning (brring brring, call me up)
- Check for tree root intrusions
Weight & Usage Considerations
- Avoid excessive toilet weight
- Don’t use the tank top as storage
- Repair running toilets quickly
- Address minor cracks immediately
Professional Maintenance
- Annual plumbing inspection
- Video pipe inspection every 3-5 years
- Check sewer line condition
- Update old plumbing systems
- Consider preventive replacements
Seasonal Preparations
- Winterize pipes in cold regions
- Insulate exposed plumbing
- Maintain consistent home temperature
- Drain unused fixtures
- Use heat tape on vulnerable pipes
Long-Term Investment
- Upgrade old plumbing systems
- Choose high-quality fixtures
- Consider modern materials
- Invest in preventive maintenance
- Plan for systematic replacements
Toilet Leak Repair in Lee’s Summit, MO
If you’ve got ceiling leaks or other plumbing issues, don’t hesitate to give us a call for upfront pricing, quick work, and a friendly face.
