How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet and Stuck Faucet Handle | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner handle two very common plumbing issues.
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Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey takes us on a house call to knock a couple of items off a homeowner’s punch list. With a wobbly toilet and a sticking faucet handle on the schedule, Richard digs in. He shows the homeowner the potential issues and solutions for that toilet wiggle, including the different types of flanges and seals, and also gives them a solutions for the stuck faucet handle.
Difficulty: ⅖
Cost: Under $100 for both
Time: 4 hours
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Materials:
Repair flange [amzn.to/36jcrDq]
Mineral spirits [amzn.to/3M8k4Mi]
Wax ring or seal [amzn.to/3KYMok5]
Closet bolts (typically included with seal) [amzn.to/3JG6fD6]
Stainless steel wood screws [thd.co/3jCvqvx]
Replacement valve stem [amzn.to/3KEcqbY]
Turkey baster [amzn.to/3jzY5l4] or small cup
Tools:
Wrench set [amzn.to/3jHlYXX]
Water pump pliers [amzn.to/3vhrMwv]
Socket set [amzn.to/37UA9X6]
About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet and Stuck Faucet Handle | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@nonyanks2510]

Have watched Richard from the start, he is an Excellent Teacher and has a great personality who definitely loves what he does and always makes it look easy!

[@mikebeverly88]

The show won't be the same once him and Tommy leave, already lost Rodger.

[@masspyro5167]

Richard is top notch. The construction world is lucky to have him.

[@BUEAU]

Richard makes my heart happy 💖. No job too large or too small and he's a great teacher. Never judging you and degrading you, unlike lots of people these days.

[@TENTHIRTYONE]

“OH YEAH!” I felt that, Richard.

[@ericknopik2852]

That seal he used for the toilet is legit. I used one of those on a toilet I installed in my house and they work great! If you don’t have the toilet in the right position, you can pick it up and reposition it and not worry about breaking the seal. Awesome product.

[@mae2759]

I second this.

[@TheSirGoreaxe]

Missed opportunity here. Rich should have said at the end, "Hey Doc, while I'm here... I've got this thing..."

[@osu041]

You know that you are a plumber when you put the toilet down and exclaim "Oh YEA". Love the explanations and detail in all the work done!

[@thetributary8089]

Everyone on TOH is a master of their trade, but no doubt Richard is the best and most fluid/natural presenter. There is not a hint of awkwardness or hesitation on camera.

[@2-old-Forthischet]

After many years of changing toilets in my homes, I've had many wobbly toilets and shims usually took care of the problem. On one occasion, the wax seal actually allowed a very slow leak because of using shims. I started using rubber seals instead of wax rings and now the toilets sit flush on the floor with no shims required and more importantly, no leaks!

[@mattgrundy27]

I dont know what it is about my luck. Everytime I have an issue in my home and something needs repaired, this channel tackles the EXACT problem 2-3 weeks later.... glad to know I fixed my toilet properly though. Thanks for the reassurance!

[@joleaiperlis5347]

Same here.😅😅

[@saljablo2767]

Great Reno they did on that toiley. Didn’t even change out the old shut off. Should be quarter turn.

[@Tommy2P]

7:30 the busted knuckles of a guy whos been doing this a long time. Richard is simply the best.

[@MRrwmac]

Richard, Always good to see you on a video. Especially when you're fixing stuff & educating us!

[@autocompletellc9906]

I’ve never had a plumber set up an exhibit of toilet flanges before fixing my rocking toilet. Gee, this New England guys are mighty nice, aren’t they?

[@mae2759]

The toilet seal that Richard used is great! Called the Perfect Seal. Used that when I installed a toilet on an uneven floor. Regular wax seal failed when I had to level/shim up the toilet, as it probably left a gap when one side raised up and it leaked. The perfect seal pressed onto the toilet perfectly and no leaks and let me adjust and shim up the toilet until it was level with no wobble. I think they make an extender for when the flange is really low.

[@SportsFan0027]

Love how Richard explains everything step by step. And explores every alternative

[@javiergalvan242]

Another great video guys! Keep them coming and remain blessed 🙌

[@kylefowler5082]

This is a good video, I learned a thing or two from it. Especially about the different types of drain seals. However (haha) I wish they had talked about the need for toilet wedges most of the time. If that floor tile isn't pretty flat the toilet will wiggle no matter how tight those toilet bolts are.

[@qaz3000]

they have featured them in another vid.

[@justice-jb5ld]

Totally agree!

[@albertjanderson]

That was perfect time and just what I needed thank you

[@patmash]

Richard is just the nicest guy.

[@maha77]

This just started happening to my toilet and somehow magically this video came up as a suggestion. Magic!

[@travisbriles76]

Homeowner did a great job with his tv performance!

[@johnames6430]

yeah they are trying hard to get minorities and other non-hot-wife people on the show. Before they booked based on if the wife was hot they would be there with the crew within 24hrs

[@elitedragon2732]

Awesome session so much learning skills and excellent smile 🥊🥊

[@Whocares.........]

Well done!

[@norrisphillips4360]

Enjoyed the faucet repair.

[@kalijasin]

Richard does good work!

[@BBadmanZz]

Thank you.

[@justice-jb5ld]

Easy toilet installation ever, love it.

[@hotelmario]

Richard is the man.

[@jonmayer]

I love TV. "Do I have the right place?" while walking into a house with cameras and lighting already inside.

[@rupe53]

Been watching Drain Addict and everyone asks why they cement / grout toilets to the floor in Australia. The obvious answer is to get rid of the wobble cause by floors that are not flat!

[@webdev217]

Sounds good

[@joshuacamacho5060]

perfect

[@gstrader73]

You can also use two wax rings when the flange is below the floor. Put the regular down first, then the one with the horn. I've done it thousands of times. Also..use a nut driver for the closet bolt nuts 💯

[@asseater1895]

Nope

[@RobertLeBlancPhoto]

I can't believe Richard still hasn't gotten himself a nice set of speedy wrenches. I love mine!

[@gstrader73]

Nut drivers are what most plumbers use.

[@almihopi8182]

Very nice 👍👍👍

[@startreker8591]

This dude is always amazing on video mmm I hope in life too(: yay

[@bozodog428]

Great video as always. I like using a large sponge and bucket for removing the remaining tank water. As for the bowl, Oatey has a product called LiquiLock that turns the water into a gel that won't spill. When you're done, you refill the bowl with water and the gel rehydrates and turns back to liquid. When it comes to lifting the toilet, the Toilet Master Jack Lifter will save your back every time. Makes remove and replace easy peasy.

[@saljablo2767]

Printing a manual, 2 hour trip to the store, parts, labor. That sink fix is about $400.

[@johnames6430]

yup would've been cheaper to replace the whole thing which is what people usually do these days, even a top quality faucet is around that same price

[@timlippold8515]

Not if you can fix it yourself!

[@jermelpurse3018]

That’s the one thing I hate about sinks they don’t use standardized parts I know I know why they don’t use standardized parts it goes a long way and helping the company make more money. You always have to come back to them and only them for parts they’ve patented or you have to replace everything. Suppliers will find it easier making parts for faucet manufactures and customers would find it easier repairing Fossetts that break on them but of course using standardized parts means the company that makes the faucets are no longer in control.

[@rockyv180]

Great video. I woulda changed both stems just in case.

[@s0ld4u]

Checking the wobble on the toilet? OK. Now wash your hands! ;)

[@nonyanks2510]

Wobbly toilets are good, when they plug up you can shake it loose and down the drain it goes or...out the sides!

[@Engineer9736]

@@nonyanks2510 😂😂😂 Thanks for the laugh

[@djpantaleone1]

If the toilet isn’t leaking then plastic shims would’ve been the easiest thing to do.

[@charliep5139]

a wobbly toilet on a full renovation would make me nervous to buy without someone lifting up that toilet and checking it out. I've know a few people with the same thing and they didn't install the toilet correctly and there were leaks. on our house, they caught the leak b/c the bathroom was on the bottom floor and there was evidence of leaking in the wood when you looked up at it in the crawlspace. thankfully, this got fixed before the house closed! a toilet should not be wobbling after 3 years!

[@jmjsr]

I always read to put spacers on the toilet flange to bring it back level to the floor or a little above.

[@MoneyManHolmes]

Spacer sealed with silicone and screwed into the subfloor, then a wax ring on top is what I would do.

[@exrezcnm]

When should always have something like a softball or some other object that you can put in the soil pipe to prevent the odors coming up while you were working in that area. Usually the smell is horrific.

[@lucky1206]

I bet when he was close to finishing the toilet, the wife told him to fix the sink as well then that was the add on lol

[@johnames6430]

Wife: "While he's here along with the crew can you ask him about the handle please"

[@MrSmid888]

UK plumbers and DIYrs put PTFE tape on all threads, it can actually cause issues by expanding the fitting you’re trying to tighten on, as you say lovely milled threads. My tutor always told my threads should never see water, if they do, the water seal part has failed.

[@ispymoni]

Good job! But I would put a towel down into the sink to protect it from getting scratched or chipped by your tools. This also prevents any small screws or other items from accidentally going down the drain.

[@bettymaverick1098]

Pipe Dope, Richard likes Pipe Dope. I never would of thought he would like Dope.

[@ronwhy4893]

I am 50 years old. And I've been a plumber my whole life. My father was a plumber. But anyways a good video on the rocking toilet. I know you showed this video as a possible way to fix it. But in reality that is not the correct way to fix it. Especially if it's on a second floor. And even if you fix it properly. Depending on the tile it could still Teeter back and forth. I would have made the situation right by cutting that flange. And bringing that flange up to the right height. And underneath fill it with mortar. And screwing the planes down properly. And after that install the proper wax ring with the black funnel. And then Mount the toilet down easily so you don't crack the cheap plastic flange. And use plastic shims in spots were they need them around the toilet and cut them up underneath the base or quarter of an inch. And use 100% silicone. I guarantee you that toilet Will Never Move. That's the proper way to fix a rocking toilet. That was just a Band-Aid that can only probably last a year or two if that.

[@metal2444]

So you have a circular saw that cuts fitting from pipe new flange is compression leak proof , level or above tile 1/4" with new flange?

[@MrInfoPhilly]

@@metal2444 Nope., you cut the old flange lip off with hack saw., or use a socket saver, fitting socket reamer to burn/cut out the old flange with plastic piping such as the pvc. As the O.P stated., yes., get rapidset self leveler., or mortar to fill in the gap and set new flange above the floor. You are either a plumber or a handyman.

[@sundarvivek1226]

Thank you for jumping in. What would we all have done without your timely correction to Richard's work.

[@iuyozx]

Richard really wanted to check out that house.

[@rotorblade7363]

I love the sound of an SK ratchet.

[@jpschaefer]

Excellent as usual. Question: At 12:35, should not the little 'well' be dry? It was also wet at 11:50 when he removed the old stem unit. I'm not clear this wet area is open to air for evaporation. And I don't think we want a stagnant little swimming pool for bacteria. What am I missing?

[@saljablo2767]

I prefer the green ring. If you have an issue seating the toilet the first time you can remove and try again. With wax, you don’t really get a second shot because the wax is now compromised.

[@verygoodboy2688]

Bro got new sparkplugs for his faucet

[@Engineer9736]

9:50 Would have been interesting if they put in a clip of the guy at the end saying “Never give us more jobs than originally intended, thank you for watching” and just let the guy sit with his tap problem 😂

[@JenniferFuchek]

I'd like info on the wax ring piece and closet bolts he used

[@AStanton1966]

Richard could learn something from Steve L.: "Why do you wear gloves?"

[@sharpshooter012345]

Wife: make sure you fix the toilet and the faucet! Husband: He killed two birds with one stone.

[@ronh9384]

Does anyone know what brand faucet that is that Richard fixed? What brand of faucet is your favorite faucet?

[@stepitupmorons8704]

over the top again,,, , God bless,,, thank you

[@spelunkerd]

I guess I'm not understanding how a flange that is too low causes the toilet to wobble. Doesn't the ceramic lip of the toilet contact the floor along its outside edge, giving stability if the floor is flat? I can see how a flange that is too high would make it wobble, but why wobble if it is supported all around? Isn't wobble usually caused by a floor that isn't flat, like the legs of a chair that don't make contact all around?

[@ElectricGears]

The actual problem was the loose closet bolts. The sunken flange was an extra issue that was found.

[@laradolensky6164]

I think maybe the only vent pipes in my home r on the toilets, not so much the sinks. Anyway, nicevideo, thanks.

[@uncouthboy8028]

"When we hear the Chinaman go snap..." Richard it's 2022! You can't say that anymore!

[@chipdouglas2430]

A halo 5 whole house filtration system will be good for him to prevent and prolong that freezing up of cartridges

[@michaelandres1363]

If I had a dollar for every time I heard the "while you're here" line, I wouldn't have to be a plumber anymore.

[@installtiles8982]

Wow just awesome project, 👈🙏 I'm tiles master

[@superspecialty5169]

I would have checked for flatness of the floor that the toilet covers. But what if it’s not?

[@kam7056]

🙏❤️

[@johnames6430]

Does it surprise anyone based on the low quality tile job they did? Look at the uneven spots at 6:58. It's fine for a homeowner doing tile for the first time but COMPLETELY unacceptable for someone to charge you money and have it be uneven. You can see again at 3:16 how that tile is raised just above the tank.

[@MoneyManHolmes]

A typical rushed flip house. A decent tile setter will pay extra attention around the toilet flange to make sure the entire perimeter of the toilet will rest flat on tile.

[@jamesellison3157]

❤

[@phoenixIIpRo]

From the start asking if he’s at the right place but camera man is already inside 😂

[@RM_VFX]

Why don't I ever see anyone recommend a hand siphon pump to clear water from the tank and bowl? They're like $10 and once it's flowing, it goes automatically until the water's out.

[@zakarathedragonqueen7254]

my toilet is just completely out of whack, it moves in all directions, wobble like a crazy horse and it leak like there is no tomorrow, lets not forget i have to use a bucket to flush, I think I need a new toilet, any suggestions.

[@anthonyflores9336]

Nice work, but the handle wasn’t left perfectly straight like the right handle as far as I can tell from the angle.

[@JohnCasteel1333]

Oh here we go, now every homeowner will think they are a handyman

[@reviewshub2555]

If your toilet is wobbly or your faucet handle is stuck, there's an easy fix. Just use a little WD-40. WD-40 is a lubricant that will help to loosen the parts that are stuck.

[@DeathAngelHRA]

WD40 for a wobbly toilet? Sounds like an interesting repair. I'd like to see a video of that.

[@Guardducks]

You wouldn't believe what a simple piece of crud can do .

[@jeffreyjohn2037]

White collar plumber. No gloves. Dirty finger nails. Priceless.

[@ThePlowGuys]

What if the floor was uneven?

[@Engineer9736]

@@brianglade848 lobstahh 🦞🦞🦞

[@kenschestok9515]

Ha! the "while you're here" line!! my least favorite phrase

[@kylegushue]

Richard has the ultimate man bag.

[@HowardR911]

*I see that the feed tubing is a flexible hose. How reliable are those, and do I need to replace the flex hose every few (how many?) years?* kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpnMk5uqoKl3gdk

[@Engineer9736]

Writing your entire comment in bold comes across like a attention wh.. 🙂

[@jmark7390]

Did anyone notice he kept calling the porcelain China? Interesting.

[@steviesummertimebreezy5766]

Wet dry vac my friend

[@dillonphillips313]

Richard up to his old tricks using channel locks on a toilet supply line 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Wayko6217]

The handle on a lot of faucets have been sticking don't know why this is happening

[@robertbamford8266]

“While you’re here (and for no additional cost)”. Just what the tradesperson wants to hear! Those faucets are neat - but I wonder if the precision is their downfall. Or could the old stem unit just have been cleaned?

[@rickfromthecape3135]

2 hours at the supply store plus a $50 part later.....

[@stevemarz4335]

@@rickfromthecape3135 why is Rich helping these people who’s eyebrows are never straight. Some people forget Pearl Harbor???

[@suibora]

@@stevemarz4335 😂

[@stevemarz4335]

@@suibora Richard would have been funnier if he called the guy with the funny eyebrows a fortune cookie.

[@Ozzyozmosis]

I get that line quite a bit, go there for one thing and while you're here renovate my kitchen will ya

[@RTerrence]

No gloves. 🤣

[@iceman846]

Did Rich swallow a basketball

[@darkllil]

Not a plumber but what about, sitting on the toilet while tightening it (snug). Put less stress on the ceramic.

[@johnames6430]

no you have to poop while on it to simulate real use then have someone else tighten

[@Engineer9736]

@@johnames6430 Don’t forget the taco bell the evening before

[@saljablo2767]

You call that a jiggle?

[@adi0517]

CAN ANY ONE TELL ME PLEASE WHY HE IS NOT WEARING GLOVES ?

[@kanaka250]

I think he told owner that he was getting a sandwich for lunch after fixing the toilet

[@Michael-fw5ef]

Asian guy probably has 2 advanced degrees from prestigious universities, but he can't make a simple toilet repair. Makes me shake my head every time I see this sort of thing.

[@DeathAngelHRA]

I've had guys like him offer me cash to teach them how to change a car tire. With today's world of KZbin, it's amazing, the lack of resourcefulness.

[@venom5809]

If he cared to he could do it, the difference is you will never be able to do what he does.

[@DkpProductions]

I'm sure you can do all the computer programming and differential equations he does.

[@ghshomeimprovements]

Tile job is horrible. Look at that grout and cuts at the ends. Someone hates math

[@darylfitz4189]

Fter the camera turned off Richard christened it by taking a huge Ewwy Trethewy Dewy.

[@joeschmoe8624]

Note to self: Don’t eat gravy at this dude’s house