If your toilet shakes back and forth, you may need to level it.You don't have to be an experienced handyman to fix a wobbly toilet.You may be able to make simpler adjustments, or you may need to disassemble your toilet.You can level it yourself if you have the right tools.
Step 1: The toilet needs to be checked for wobbliness.
If you are sitting on the toilet, rock it back and forth or side to side.Minor or serious leveling may be needed if you notice shaking.If the toilet still feels odd, start with small adjustments and move on to more extensive ones later.If you want to make the toilet completely level, use a carpenter's level to measure how close the floor is.
Step 2: You can buy washers and screws from a hardware store.
Both plastic and steel washers can be used to level toilets.
Step 3: Remove the bolts and nuts.
There are bolts on both sides of the toilet to hold it in place.Remove the bolt caps and loosen the nuts with a wrench.The toilet may be wobbly if these nuts are loose.If that is the case, tighten them!
Step 4: They can be added to the bottom of the toilet.
If you want to prevent your toilet from rocking, you need to wedge a few washers in between the floor and bottom of the toilet.If the ones you've added don't work out, add more later on.
Step 5: Re-tighten the bolts.
After you've wedged washers under the toilet, tighten the nuts with your wrench.The bolts should be placed on top of the nuts to keep them secure.
Step 6: The toilet needs to be tested for wobbliness again.
Sit on the toilet, rock back and forth, or use a carpenter's level to measure how the floor is.The toilet is fixed if it is level enough to your liking.The shut-off valve should be opened again to connect the water supply line.Minor or major adjustments may need to be made.
Step 7: If the problem is fixed, you can caulk the toilet.
The only thing left to fix the problem is to caulk the toilet.A caulk gun can be used to squeeze a bead of caulk around the base of the toilet.Rub your finger on a wet rag to smooth out the bead.The toilet is caulked to keep the washers and washers from getting trapped under the toilet.
Step 8: Add steel washers or shims until the toilet feels level.
You may need to make larger adjustments if your toilet still seems wobbly after adding multiple washers or shims.If adding washers or shims doesn't affect how level it is, you should remove the toilet.
Step 9: Close the toilet's shut-off valve.
The shut-off valve is usually located near the back of the toilet and connected to the wall.To shut off the water, turn the valve handle clockwise.The valve handle can be permanently damaged if pliers or wrenches are used to twist it.
Step 10: Hold down the lever to flush your toilet.
Hold the lever on the top of the toilet tank and watch it drain.The lever should be held down until the entire toilet tank has emptied.
Step 11: The sponge should be used to absorb the residual water in the tank.
To prevent spills as you handle your toilet, inspect the tank for puddles on the bottom, and sop them up with your sponge.If you have a lot of water left in the tank, use a turkey baster.You can use your sponge or turkey baster to get rid of the residual water in the toilet bowl.
Step 12: The water supply line should be disconnected.
The shut-off valve is connected to the water supply line.To remove the supply line from the tank, use a wrench.
Step 13: If you haven't already, remove the closet bolt caps from the toilet.
The bolt caps are on the bottom of the toilet.The bolts should be taken off with your hands.Remove the toilet from the floor with a wrench.
Step 14: Set the toilet aside.
Toilets are heavy and unwieldy.If you're not confident in your own strength, have someone else help you lift the toilet up and move it out of the way as you work.After toilets are removed from the floor, they can leak.You can put it on a towel or some newspapers.
Step 15: The closet is exposed.
The cylinder on the bottom of the closet flange is a round tube.Remove the wax from the closet flange with a knife and then remove the screws that attach it to the floor.If you want to remove the closet flange from the drain, you have to loosen the bolts with a wrench.
Step 16: Carefully remove the closet flange from the drain hole.
You will need to remove the closet flange from the drain hole to inspect it for damage.It's important to work slowly to avoid chipping.If you want to see it clearly while working, you have to clean it off.The closet can be fixed to the drain with glue.If that is the case, buy a repair Flange to fit over the existing one.To make sure the repair is level, use a level.
Step 17: Check for damage to the flooring.
Look for signs of decay or mold on the flooring.If the subfloor is rotten or badly damaged, it will need to be fixed by a professional.To find out if the flooring will need to be replaced, call a home repair business.If the floor is not damaged, you could cut a plywood base larger than the toilet.Put it under the toilet so it sits on a flat surface and cut a hole in the center of plywood for the closet flange.
Step 18: The closet is prone to damage.
If your toilet has chips or cracks, you may have problems.If you notice any damage, you may need to replace the toilet flange.Purchase a new closet flange in the same size as your old one and place it in its old spot.
Step 19: There are new closet bolts to be installed.
The old closet bolts are the cause of wobbliness.Use a wrench to screw the closet flange back into the drain hole.Make sure you tighten the bolts as much as you can, as loose or damaged bolts can cause wobbly toilets.
Step 20: A new wax ring needs to be installed.
Place the wax ring on top of the closet flange, centering it as evenly as possible.Attach the toilet again if you want to prevent it from slipping out of the closet.You shouldn't reuse the wax from your old wax ring.
Step 21: Attach the toilet back to the floor.
Remove the bolts and nuts from the back of the toilet.You may need a second person to put the toilet back together if it's too heavy.Remove the bolts with a wrench and cover them with the caps.
Step 22: Make sure to test your adjustments.
You can use a carpenter's level to check the reading on your toilet.The toilet may be level if you don't feel like you're sitting at an angle.To turn the toilet back on, you have to connect the water supply line to the tank.Adding washers or shims to the bottom of the toilet will make it more stable.Continue adjusting the toilet until you get to the level you want.