If you have noticed that your toilet is rocking, you might be wondering how to stop toilet from rocking and to stop it from happening again. Rocking toilets can cause damage to both the base of the toilet and the floor around it, so it’s important you act quickly when learning how to stop toilet from rocking.
In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most common causes of rocking or loose toilets and how to fix them.
1. Tighten the Two Flange Bolts
Check each bolt for any rust or warping.
If everything looks good, then proceed on to manually tighten down each screw until tight but do not over make sure that each screw has a flush fit so that no gaps are left uncovered between them and their flanges; also look at where they sit against the body of bowl itself so make sure they align perfectly without any noticeable skew.
Tip – using a toilet plunger
Once those screws are as tight as possible, use an adjustable wrench or ratchet-style tool to tighten even further and finally verify if the rocking is still there.
2. Look for Leaks
If your toilet is rocking, it could be an indication that there’s a leak somewhere. It’s important to check for leaks as soon as possible so you can fix the problem and prevent further damage.
The first step towards finding and fixing any potential leak in your rocking toilet is checking for any deterioration in the area around it (especially near where floor meets bowl).
If everything seems fine at this stage, then move on to use a putty knife around edge of bowl itself inspecting anything else that could be leaking. Look out too for warping in floor surfaces caused by pooled-up water which can also point towards a potential issue with plumbing here.
3. Locate the Gaps Between the Toilet and the Floor
If your toilet is rocking and you suspect that the cause is a gap between your toilet and the floor, then you may be wondering what can be done to locate this gap. This kind of gap is caused by poor installation when the toilet was initially put in place or due to ground shifts beneath the bathroom floor.
You should also pay attention to surface area around edge of bowl where an ill-fitting unit would usually leave small signs such as warped edges on tile/wooden floors or chips & scratches on concrete subflooring – these can often act like telltale clues pointing towards problem areas.
4. Insert Shims into Gaps that You May Have Found
If you have identified that gaps between your toilet and the floor are causing it to rock, then inserting shims is a wonderful way to help fix this problem.
Shims are thin pieces of wood or plastic that can be used in construction and renovation projects as spacers or levelers.
Use a putty knife around edge of bowl itself looking out particularly for any gaps which need filling in with shim material – these should look like vertical slots either side each floor corner where necessary support just isn’t being generated anymore due lack of contact points
Once any discrepancies have been located push shim material up inside gap gently until it sits firmly flush.
5. Trim off the Shims
Cut the shim down to size if needed using a utility knife or a specialized tool made specifically for this purpose. Make sure that any excess material is removed properly so that it won’t interfere with proper toilet stabilization when placed under the base of your toilet bowl.
Make sure that none of them are overlapping or in direct contact with each other as this could cause instability.
6. Caulk the Toilet’s Base
You’ll need to purchase a tube of high-quality, mildew-resistant silicone caulking from your local hardware store. Make sure to buy enough to cover the entire perimeter of the base.
Next, use a utility knife or other similar tool to remove any existing caulk that has been applied in the past so that you have a smooth surface for applying new caulking. Be sure to clean up any debris and get rid of any dirt or dust before continuing with this process.
Apply the caulking in small sections at a time, making sure to rub it into place using your index finger so that it adheres correctly. If needed, use painter’s tape along edges to create fluid lines while applying caulking if desired.
7. Let the Caulk Dry Completely
Allowing at least 24 hours for the caulking to dry undisturbed is recommended.
Finally, consider using a fan placed near the area with fresh caulking on it to accelerate drying time. If you have access to one, this can be a clever way to ensure that your new sealant is dried thoroughly and quickly.
