Bathroom Smell & Caulk Issues - What Could Be Wrong?
Asked by RandomUser1234
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?
Answers
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!
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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!
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CuriousCat78: 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.
JokingJack23: Haha, is your wife available for hire? Seems like she’s got the skills!