Leaking Toilet Repair in Andersonville Chicago
Recently, our team completed a residential plumbing job in the historic and vibrant Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Known for its beautiful vintage homes and unique local charm, Andersonville is a wonderful place to live, but older properties can sometimes present unique plumbing challenges. We received a call from a homeowner who was dealing with a persistent and troubling leak in their bathroom. They were concerned about water seeping onto the floor, the potential for water damage to the subfloor, and the constant need to clean up the mess. Our team understands the urgency of such situations and was dispatched to diagnose and resolve the issue promptly.
Diagnosing the Source of the Bathroom Leak
Upon arrival, our licensed plumber began a thorough inspection of the bathroom. The first step in any leak detection is to carefully identify the exact source. Water can travel in misleading ways, and what appears to be a leak from one area might originate elsewhere. After examining the sink, shower, and surrounding pipes, our technician focused on the toilet. Telltale signs, including a small, persistent puddle of water around the base of the toilet and slight discoloration of the surrounding grout, pointed toward a potential failure at the toilet’s connection to the floor. We determined the leak was coming from the toilet’s wax seal, a critical component that creates an airtight and watertight barrier between the toilet and the drainpipe.
A Step-by-Step Repair Process
To confirm the diagnosis and perform the repair, our plumber began the process of removing the toilet. First, the water supply to the toilet was shut off, and the tank and bowl were completely drained to prevent any spillage. The toilet was then carefully disconnected from the water supply line and unbolted from the floor.
Once we lifted the toilet off its base, the problem was immediately apparent. The existing toilet wax seal was severely degraded and flattened, failing to create the proper seal required. Over time, these seals can wear out, or the toilet can become loose, breaking the connection and allowing water to escape with every flush.
With the source of the leak confirmed, we proceeded with the repair. Our plumber meticulously scraped away all remnants of the old, failed wax from both the toilet flange on the floor and the bottom of the toilet itself. Ensuring a clean surface is crucial for the new seal to function correctly. A new, high-quality wax seal was then expertly installed onto the flange.
As part of our commitment to thorough and lasting repairs, we also replaced the toilet’s anchor bolts. The old bolts showed signs of corrosion and could have compromised the stability of the toilet in the future. Finally, we replaced the toilet’s water supply line. These flexible lines can become brittle with age and are a common point of failure, so replacing it during this repair provides the homeowner with added peace of mind.
The toilet was then carefully placed back onto the new seal and bolts, ensuring it was level and securely fastened to the floor. We reconnected the new supply line, slowly turned the water back on, and allowed the tank to fill. Our plumber flushed the toilet multiple times, meticulously inspecting the new seal and all connections to ensure there were absolutely no signs of a leak. To the Rescue! Another bathroom leak was professionally and permanently solved, preventing costly water damage and restoring full function to the homeowner’s bathroom.
