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e of the things that we look at when we go into a home for an inspection is whether or not the toilet is sealed properly. A poorly installed toilet might not seem like a big deal, but it can definitely become trouble in no time. The worst thing that can happen as a result of a compromised seal on the toilet is for the framing members of the floor to stay wet for an extended period of time. These are structural items, which can rot and break down from moisture. Once that happens, there isn’t an easy fix and it needs to be repaired. You should definitely get a bad seal on a toilet resolved before it becomes something more serious.
A couple of indicators that you might have an issue would be if your toilet rocks or makes any kind of noise (like a squishing sound) when you sit on it. That is definitely not normal, and it means you have an issue that needs to be resolved. The toilet should also be caulked to the floor, which will give it some support and ensure it doesn’t move. The seal of a toilet is made out of very soft wax. If the toilet rocks back and forth, it will squish the wax and compromise the seal. Anything you can do to keep it secure and stationary will allow the wax seal to have more longevity.
A leaking seal will end up letting a little bit of water through every time you flush the toilet. If you flush three to six times a day, that quickly adds up to quite a bit of water. The bottom line is, the area can become very wet and cause the supporting structure to build up moisture, leading to rotting and even mold. Even though it starts out as a small issue, it should definitely be taken care of right away.
Although we don’t usually see a whole lot of mold around toilets because of a faulty wax seal, it is possible under the right environment. However, you definitely wouldn’t want the flooring members that hold the floor up to rot out. Then the fix would be to take up the floor covering, replace all those framing members, and then put the toilet back. It’s a very extensive process that could be prevented with a little repair to a bad seal.
Before you think about getting a friend to install your toilet, consider how important it is to have a good wax seal. Remember, if you think you’re noticing any of the signs that the seal is compromised, get it checked out immediately. Reach out to us by contacting us online or giving us a call at 540-483-9382.
