toilet leak

Almost 5 months ago I had an elongated Toto EcoDrake toilet installed. After the plumber left, I noticed it was sitting crooked to the floor tile and the the wall. Automatically I tried to straighten it and it easily repostioned. I didn't think much of it at the time. The toilet never rocked. It flushed and did not leak. As time passed, I started to notice the toilet ran a long time. It started to run so much that it would fill and leak through the handle. I also noticed during these times that the toilet would sometimes leak from the floor if it filled too long. Also, I had to reposition it a few more times. I began to suspect 1) an installation problem and 2)a defective flush mechanism. I called Toto and through excellent customer service assessed the flush problem and have sent me a new part which I will install tomorrow. At that time I mentioned the leak from the floor and the ability to reposition the toilet. The Toto rep suspected the bolts were not in the flange and/or there may be a flange problem. I know the flange is new because the toilet location was moved by the plumber. The rep theorized the quick motion of flush moved the water past the leak while the slower draining allow the water to find the opening. The rep believes the toilet needs to be pulled and the flange checked.
I contacted the plumber/general contractor and his reply was "the toilet has a small factory hole on the back side of the bowl. This is where it is most likely leaking from. That hole might be a defect. Not sure if it is supposed to be there or not." I questioned how this would explain the easy repositioning of the toilet and he has not replied to date. Does anyone know about this hole he is refering to? I don't see a hole. Also, the plumber took the toilet out of the box. I assumed it was OK since he installed it. It it reasonable to expect him to tell me if he thinks the toilet may be defective before he charges me to install it? Does anyone have a theory on what the problem is?
Thanks,

I'd say call him back to take a look at it and correct it. But if he's being difficult you know not to use him as your plumber anymore. Now if that's the case pull the toilet yourself and take a picture for us and post it with just the toliet pulled. Seeing how the bolts are positioned with the flange will help us to help you. You will want to buy another wax ring WITHOUT the plastic horn/flunnel. Just your standard old wax ring, don't listen to what smock man says at the local big box.

It should not have been easy to move the toilet. Moving it will have comprimised the seal from the wax ring. The toilet needs to be re-set at minimum and the flange could have issues.

I would invite the plumber back to sort it out.

Are you saying he saw a hole in the toilet and didn't tell you at the time?...I doubt it...

I've seen these factory holes but they were on American Standards (If memory serves me right). It's shaped like an oval. But I think the plumbers blowing smoke.

kingsotall said:

I've seen these factory holes but they were on American Standards (If memory serves me right). It's shaped like an oval. But I think the plumbers blowing smoke.

Click to expand...

Yea he sure is! That toilet should not be moving!

rotating

The flange is probably one that rotates on the pipe. If it was not secured to the floor, and it often happens that way, then if you got agressive with the toilet you could rotate the toilet and the flange, but that would not mean the bolts were loose.

hj, by aggressive do you mean pushing it with the calf of one leg. I'm sure a 3year old could move it. If it is a rotating flange should it be secured to the floor? Does the rotation break the wax seal? Why do they make such a thing?

kingsotall, I was thinking of getting one of those fluidmaster gaskets instead of using the wax ring. I considered it before, if I got brave enought to set the toilet myself. Thats not what your talking about not to get is it?

Thanks for your help.

Don't use one of these:

The ring part of the flange should always be anchored to the floor. Moving the toilet will break the wax seal and it should be replaced.

Thank you for all your help. It ends up the flange was fine. It looks like the plumber did not push down enough when he set the toilet. This time the bolts had to be cut so covers would fit on.

If you paid a plumber to have all this cornfusion, I'd make him pay for the expense, seriously.

Was this a "real" plumber with a license or was it a handyman that says he can do plumbing repairs? (aka: Hack)

A plumber with a general contractors license that specializes in bathroom remodels. I'm getting ready to do my Master Bath. I've learned who not to use. If it hadn't been for an old friend doing the tile who kept assuring me my expectations were not unreasonable, I really would have gone crazy. The stories I could tell......