Leaking toilet

[yeaja]

Hello, recently I noticed water coming from under the toilet where it meets the floor. I know that I probably need to replace the wax ring. But what I'm confused about is that it doesn't leak when I flush it. It leaks when I drain the bath tub or bathroom sink. Does this mean that there is a clog somewhere and the water is backing up towards the toilet? And if so, wouldn't the water just fill up the toilet if the wax ring was still good? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Cass]

Thats what it sounds like. Pull the toilet and replace the ring. While it is pulled check by filling and draining the tub and sink and see what happens. Then you will know for sure.

[yeaja]

I talked to someone else and they said that if I unclog the drain and get the water running right again, the wax ring would set itself again. And I would only have to replace it if there was a leak afterwards. Does that sound like a possibility? That would be great to only have to snake out the drain. Thanks

[Gary Swart]

You're making too big a deal out of replacing the wax ring and resetting the potty. First thing I'd do is have the drain professionally snaked. Do not use chemicals, they don't work and can create a hazard for the plumber when he snakes the drain. After the drain is cleared, I'd replace the wax ring. Perhaps it would reseal, I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't risk it for the price of a ring and a few minutes work. If it seeped a small amount, it could rot the flooring under the toilet without being noticed until real damage was done.

[jadnashua]

Wax isn't rubber, it doesn't have much of any resiliency. Once you smash it into a shape, it does not rebound. If it leaked, you don't have a seal anymore. Since the drain directs stuff straight down most of the time, you may never notice leaking water until the next time it backs up, but it's there.