Quck answer
To repair the floor under a toilet, follow these steps:
1. Remove the toilet: Turn off the water supply, flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl, and disconnect the water supply line. Remove the bolts securing the toilet to the floor and carefully lift the toilet off the flange.
2. Inspect the floor: Assess the extent of the damage to the floor. If there is rot or decay, it may be necessary to replace the affected sections. If the damage is minor, it can be repaired.
3. Repair or replace the subfloor: If the subfloor is damaged, cut out the affected area and replace it with a new piece of plywood. Ensure the new subfloor is level and properly secured.
4. Install new flooring: Choose a suitable flooring material for the bathroom, such as tile, vinyl, or laminate. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install the flooring, ensuring it is properly sealed around the toilet flange.
5. Reinstall the toilet: Place a new wax ring on the flange and carefully lower the toilet onto it. Secure the toilet with new bolts, reconnect the water supply line, and turn on the water.
6. Test for leaks: Once the toilet is securely in place, turn on the water and check for any leaks around the base. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a proper seal.
By following these steps, you can repair the floor under a toilet and ensure a stable and leak-free installation.
Although toilet wax rings are generally reliable, they may cause water damage to the subfloor if installed improperly and start leaking. As the wax ring continues to leak, the subfloor becomes wet and spongy, leading to more water leakage through wider separations in the ring. This results in a toilet that rocks and sways and a subfloor that smells of toilet water. To fix this situation, you have to replace the subfloor under the toilet, which involves removing and replacing the wet subflooring, dealing with the toilet flange, and setting the toilet back with a new wax ring.
Handling the Toilet Flange
After shutting off the water, draining the tank, removing the toilet bolts, and lifting away the toilet, you’ll uncover the toilet flange. Though most modern flanges are plastic, an old plumbing system may have a cast iron flange, which cannot be removed even after unscrewing it. If the flange is in good shape, you can work around it and leave it in place; however, sometimes, removing it is necessary to access the subfloor.
You can remove a plastic flange by cutting the pipe beneath the flange flush to the floor using a reciprocating saw, making several vertical cuts through the flange with the saw, but not through the pipe into which it’s inserted, and then wedging the pieces away from the pipe with a chisel. However, if you’re uncertain, it’s best to get a plumber to help to avoid damaging the waste pipe.
Replacing the Damaged Flooring
Remove all the water-damaged subflooring, which may require removing enough floor covering to expose it. Draw out a rectangular section on the subfloor that completely encloses the damaged area, which should end on each side with a joist to provide something to which you can attach the new subfloor. Cut out the section with a circular saw set to the thickness of the flooring. If the flange is still in place, make two cuts in the middle of the section using a reciprocating saw to remove the subfloor in two pieces as close to the flange as possible.
Fixing the Floor Beneath the Toilet
Once the subfloor has been taken out, inspect the joists for any signs of water damage and reinforce any rotted sections by adding new joist material. Prepare two pieces of joist material to fit between the joists and screw them in place so that the edges bisect the edges of the cut-out section. Cut a new piece of subflooring to match the thickness of the existing flooring and screw it to the joists. Using a reciprocating saw, cut out a hole for the flange. If the flange is still in place, create two notched pieces of subflooring for either side of the flange, insert them, and screw them down.
If you had to remove the flange, attach a new one by gluing it to the waste pipe. Screw the existing or new flange to the subfloor. Once this is done, you can replace any floor covering that was removed and reset the toilet with a new wax ring.