A leaking toilet base usually means the wax ring has failed. The ring replacement reseals the toilet to the flange.
The sign
The water at the toilet base signals the failed ring. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the sign is the leak.
The shutoff
Turn off the supply and the flush the toilet dry. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the shutoff is the first.
The lift
Disconnect the supply line and the lift the toilet. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the lift is the access.
The scrape
Scrape the old wax from the flange and the toilet horn. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the scrape is the clean.
The set
Set the new wax ring on the flange and the reset the toilet. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the set is the seal.
The bolt
Bolt the toilet down and the caulk around the base. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Durham, the bolt is the finish.
The call
Wax ring help? Call 888-217-3585 and Durham Plumber Connect will match you with a Durham pro for the repair.
Plumbing in Durham: what to know
In Durham, hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Durham County — from Chapel Hill, Morrisville and Carrboro to ZIP codes like 27701, 27708, 27707 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Durham?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Durham Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Durham.