TOILET IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH: How to fix a wobbly toilet that rocks front to back

[@chrisgroelsma5248]

I'm a new maintenance guy for apartment complexes and this described my current problem to a T...Easy to fix and Easy to learn Thanks Steve

[@kballard1092]

I was looking for a different toilet issue but seen the cover of your video which is hilarious to me. I really needed that laugh. You have a new subscriber.

[@noreenpurple8617]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@juliorivera1354]

You skipped steps…it was important for you to show how to install the wax ring and how to install the toilet over the ring and giving proper instructions when completing both steps..

[@malouteopaco9305]

Thank you Steve for the video, my toilet rocks but i would not know how to do all that, besides i cannot carry the toilet out, but i will watch the plumber to make sure he does all that! God’s blessings to you Steve

[@Herlongian]

Gloves not necessary. Just wash your hands when done. If the toilet is wobbling but not leaking, and the closet bolts are not broken or loose because flange is broken, just shim it. No need to remove toilet or even loosen the bolts!

[@TheCaffeinatedOrganist]

Good job. Thanks

[@mikeryan6277]

Good job, just a couple observations 1. Wear Nitrile or Latex gloves. 2. Install Johnny Caps to cover bolts. And 3. Using grout to shimm a toilet is an easy way to level a toilet and prevent rocking.

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

Thanks for the tutorial 👍👍

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Your welcome Syed! Hope it works for you.

[@aznation4592]

@@steveythefixitguy7936 Thank you man I think this is my problem in our rental property, question the old school wax ring is the same when you say flange ?

[@robavis4906]

Thanks for the tips. I always like seeing what other people are doing about their problems. I had to do some similar things with my toilet at my last house and now were buying another house and i already know im changing out the toilet so im refreshing myself. IN my other house i used the perfect seal and it worked good. but anyways. Thanks for the video. Cant go wrong with the plain ole wax ring.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Thanks Rob! Your right about the wax ring though I do wish the waxless version had worked. Good luck at the new house and thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@larrywinchester8117]

The black foam ring that was on the red rubber was 2 pieces stacked. You have the option of a thick, thin or both foam rings

[@vaughn257]

We just had our bathroom floor repaired a new flange put on and wax ring. I noticed today that it looked like a little of the wax ring seeped under the toilet base. I called the guy that did the repair and installed the toilet he said it was probably old wax do you think that could be the issue?

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Personally, I clean the old wax completely off before installing the new one but it is possible if he left the old one there. As long as it’s not leaking it’ll be fine.

[@davebryant8050]

If it's coming out from under the toilet my concern would be that either the wax fell off the horn during installation or he totally missed the drain when he sat it down.

[@fearknot7]

Thanks for the video. I went step by step with you and everything worked perfectly.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Thanks for the comment. I’m certainly glad to hear it helped!

[@armadillotoe]

To seal the wax ring just rotate it? I don't understand what you mean. I thought you sat on the toilet to seal the wax ring. What are you saying to rotate? Thanks.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Hi Armadillotoe. Yes, the wax ring manufacturer recommends a slight side to side twisting motion (rotating) to seat the ring. Sitting on it generally works but does run the risk of rocking the toilet and separating it from the wax ring, which can compromise the seal. Hope that helps. Thanks for the comment!

[@zebpongo1]

I just did something to stabilize a toilet in an uneven bathroom floor. I tried shims and they seemed like they worked out of position over time. Having seen the power of foam to lift concrete on KZbin, I decided to use it for my toilet issue. I took a can of foam and sprayed it under both sides of the toilet. I theorized it would expand and exert focused upward pressure against the toilet bolts. This is what happened and no more rocking

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Interesting Zebpongo1. Thanks for the insight. Let me know how it works over time.

[@davebryant8050]

Why not just do it I don't get people, especially paid contractors that should be concerned about their reputation but nobody seems to have any shame these days

[@DIRTYDAMACK]

I have same toilet installed wax ring and it's still rocking

[@DH-is6oj]

Is it the same method for side to side movement?

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

DH, I’m very sorry for the long delay in responding. If the toilet rocks side to side, I suspect the bolts have not been tightened enough. Let me know if you were able to solve the problem. So sorry once again!

[@peccoramirez9673]

If I am smelling a sewer smell from my toilet room is this an indication that my wax ring might need to be replaced? Thank you for your response in advance.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Absolutely Pecco! Definitely need to replace it! Let me know how it goes.

[@carlbeaver7112]

Calling BS. When you first wiggled the toilet the flooring was wiggling with it, indicating the subfloor is weak, probably due to a rotten joist caused by a leaking donut that wasn't seen due to some nimrod caulking the toilet base to the floor. That ALWAYS eventually leads to any leakage being contained, and unobserved in time for repair, before the floor suffers damage. After your 'repair' you barely wiggled the toilet, in order to avoid showing you hadn't accomplished an effective repair.

[@ranapratapsingh3416]

A good solution to a wobbly toilet.

[@notmyrealname5162]

Nice picture

[@hughgraham6587]

Could you have used the fluidmaster and not use the optional spacer ?

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Hello Hugh. In my determination, without the optional spacer, the seal was too short and with it, was too tall. I wish a happy medium spacer would also have been provided. I hope that answers your question for which I thank you!

[@larrywinchester8117]

My entire pvc drain is too tall. Even the wax ring is letting it rock. What now?

[@samgrady1493]

My toilet waste pipe comes out the back, and the base of the bowl is sitting on tiles. How do I stop this rocking?

[@jgsmile1331]

Why not show putting the stool back on the new wax ring and setting it? That would help.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Thx for the comment. I’ll do that!

[@martybaker5848]

No bolt caps, just bolts sticking up? Nice!

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Yes Marty. Ideally, you’d put bolt caps on certainly for the main and guest bathrooms. For the toilet off the garage, we opted not to. Good catch though!

[@davebryant8050]

I think we can see that jacked up baseboard corner and assume that everything else is messed up as well. Who in hell can't cope?

[@kgt9535]

My man, in the future, please use disposable gloves when working around, in and under this type fixture, especially if you're producing a tutorial. Trust me, it'll leave a good hygienic example for everyone to follow; no matter how dirty or clean under a toilet might be or appear.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Duly noted Godfrey. Thanks for the comment. I hope you found the video otherwise helpful.

[@kgt9535]

@@steveythefixitguy7936 Absolutely! Thank you.

[@davebryant8050]

Your mommy should have let you play outside more.

[@ottosparky]

Easy fix. No measuring involved.Replaced with rubber / foam gasket that is easily compressed and conforms to level. End of story.

[@steveythefixitguy7936]

Thanks for the comment.

[@reyes9954]

That’s not a solution for waxless that’s a workaround(Jerry rig) terrible idea. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@arielshikoba1857]

He's not using gloves 🤮

[@microtechmachineshop]

My toilet doesn't have bolts