What causes a toilet to wiggle?
Toilets wobble when they aren’t held securely to the floor, and if you let the wobble persist, they can leak and give you more serious problems. More often than not, the wobble is caused by loose toilet bolts, but the flange may also be responsible. It may be corroded, broken or set too high.
Why does my toilet rocking back and forth?
If your rocking comes back after a while, or if the bolts loosen up and won’t retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause. The solution is to remove the toilet and either replace the old flange or repair it with a flange repair kit.
How to fix a rocking toilet with shims?
Instructions. 1 Check the Bolts First. Sometimes a rocking toilet can be fixed by tightening the two bolts at the base of the toilet, called flange bolts or closet 2 Look for Leaks. 3 Locate the Gaps. 4 Insert the Shims. 5 Trim the Shims.
What can I use to keep a rocking toilet in place?
If it still rocks, proceed with shimming the base. The best shims for this project are small, plastic shims with ridges that help the shims stay in place. They are commonly sold at home centers, hardware stores, and restaurant supply stores. Wood shims are not recommended because they can compress over time and are vulnerable to moisture damage.
What does it mean when your toilet is rocking?
Rocking is for concerts and chairs—not toilets. If your toilet is wobbly or loose but not leaking, this quick fix might be just what you need. Toilets usually rock because they are not resting flush against the floor. Underneath the toilet base is a round toilet flange that connects the toilet to the drain pipe.
How to fix a wobbly toilet in an old house?
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner diagnose and repair a wobbly toilet. 1. Shut the water off to the toilet. Flush the toilet until the bowl is empty. Use a sponge and a bucket to suck out the remaining water. Disconnect the water line from the toilet. 2.
