Hey everyone! So about a year ago, a contractor installed some new LVP flooring and reseated my toilet with a new wax seal. They also caulked around the toilet to the floor, which I thought was a bit odd. Everything was fine until recently when I noticed a strange poop smell coming from the bathroom. When I took a closer look, I found that the caulk in the front is starting to crack and degrade. I wasn't sure if that's the source of the smell or if it might just be from somewhere else. I'm curious if this is a developing problem or if this is fairly normal. Any advice on what could be going on and tips for locating the smell?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might have a leaking wax ring. Those are pretty inexpensive to fix, so it could be worth it to pull the toilet and take a look. If there's been a leak, it might have caused issues under the floorboards, which you definitely want to check for. Better safe than sorry!
Yeah, I agree the wax ring is probably the culprit. If you’re comfortable with DIY, pulling the toilet to replace it should take about 30 minutes. Just make sure to grab a wax ring with rubber in it from Lowe’s or Home Depot. I even taught my wife how to do it, and she managed a toilet install on her own after some practice!
Haha, is your wife available for hire? Seems like she’s got the skills!
That’s interesting! So if it's only degrading in the front, does that mean it’s likely just a leak there? The rest of the caulk looks fine, just the front part is cracking.