Had a similar issue last year, and it wasn't even the wax ring in my case. Couple things I learned the hard way:
- Check the flange itself—mine had cracked slightly on one side, causing a barely noticeable wobble and gradual leakage.
- Make sure your toilet bolts are snug but not overtightened. I went full Hulk-mode tightening mine once and ended up cracking the porcelain base... not my finest DIY moment.
- Consider upgrading to a reusable rubber seal instead of wax. Easier to reposition if you mess up alignment, and bonus points for being eco-friendly since it's reusable.
Plumbing definitely has its own twisted sense of humor. Every time I think I've mastered one issue, another seems to pop up. Good luck, hope it's nothing too messy this time around.
Good points there, especially about the flange—it's surprising how often that gets overlooked. I've seen a few cases where the flange itself wasn't even secured properly to the subfloor, causing subtle movement and eventual leaks. Definitely worth double-checking that it's solidly anchored down.
As for the reusable rubber seals, I've had mixed experiences. They're great for convenience and repositioning, but I've run into a couple situations where they didn't seal quite as reliably as wax rings, especially on older toilets or uneven floors. Maybe it's just my luck, but I still lean toward wax for tricky installs. But hey, plumbing is a constant learning curve, right?
One other thing I'd suggest is checking the toilet base itself for hairline cracks. Had a client once who chased leaks for weeks only to discover a tiny crack hidden near the back. Sneaky little issue, that one...
Anyway, fingers crossed it's a quick fix and not a full-on plumbing saga this time.
"I've seen a few cases where the flange itself wasn't even secured properly to the subfloor, causing subtle movement and eventual leaks."
Yep, flange movement is a sneaky culprit. Honestly, I'd say half the toilet leaks I get called out for end up being flange-related in some way. And you're spot-on about those reusable rubber seals. They're handy in theory, but I've found they're only reliable when everything else is perfectly aligned and level—which, let's face it, isn't always the case in real-world scenarios.
One thing I'd add is to double-check the bolts themselves. Had a job recently where someone overtightened them, cracking the porcelain base just enough to cause intermittent leaks. Took forever to spot it since it only leaked under certain conditions. Plumbing definitely keeps us humble... Hope you get it sorted without too much hassle this time around.
Yep, flange issues are definitely sneaky...had a similar experience when renovating our guest bathroom. The flange wasn't just loose—it was actually set too high above the finished floor, causing the toilet to rock slightly. Drove me nuts trying to figure out why the wax seal kept failing until I finally got down there with a straight edge and realized the height difference.
Also, another thing worth mentioning is the condition of the subfloor itself. Even minor water damage or rot around the flange area can cause subtle flexing that leads to intermittent leaks down the road. I learned that lesson the hard way—ended up having to cut out and replace a small section of plywood after realizing it had softened over time.
And yeah, overtightening bolts is surprisingly common...I've seen plenty of cracked porcelain bases from folks thinking tighter equals better. Snug is good enough—no need to muscle it down.
Had a similar issue once... flange was set too high and the toilet rocked no matter what. Ended up using a flange spacer kit to level things out—worked surprisingly well. Agree about overtightening bolts, but honestly, snug can be subjective. I usually tighten until it stops wobbling and then give it just a tiny bit more. Haven't cracked one yet, knock on wood.
