Why caulk toilet

The inclusion of a seal inside the toilet is a third claim often made against caulking. The seal may be made of rubber or wax, and generally, prevents any leakage from the base.

While many argue that a wax seal has a more limited function than caulking, the fact remains that some plumbers consider wax rings to be a sufficient answer to plumbing code requirements. The other three arguments all make valid claims, although two of them do include counter-arguments.

This benefit does not pose a very strong argument, but is sometimes used to persuade homeowners. While opponents are worried about leaks becoming invisible, those who support caulking argue that it has the opposite effect as well. By caulking around the base, water from outside the toilet cannot creep under the toilet.

This means that it becomes less likely the floor beneath your toilet will become damaged in the event of an overflowing sink or other cause of bathroom flooding. There are two major plumbing codes which require caulking around the base of a toilet. These codes are not always enforced, although some home inspections will mark it as a necessary home repair. The two codes in question are:. Opponents of caulking claim that the wax ring already performs this job, while supporters believe that the ring is insufficient for proper compliance.

One argument which most experts agree upon is that caulking the base of a toilet to an uneven floor will improve stability and greatly reduce the risk of a leak forming. Some have used ineffective fillers in the past that crumble away. The main reason people give for not caulking around toilet bases is that they feel it could hide leaks. If left undiscovered, the resulting damage could become severe.

Without caulk, the leaking water would flow out freely and be noticed right away, the theory goes. They are usually noticed from the floor below the toilet when looking up. Leaks under the tub are often found in the same way. In apartments, it is common for the tenant below to be the one who first notices a problem. So this argument for not caulking is somewhat flawed and as far as we know it is the only one.

Lined up against it are a number of reasons why caulking around the toilet has positive benefits. Water splashed out of a shower or bathtub, for example, is unable to seep under the toilet if it is properly sealed to the floor. If there is no caulk, any water that creeps underneath the toilet can remain undisturbed for some time. It will soon start to stagnate, providing a breeding ground for mold and fungus.

The application of caulk to the toilet prevents this from happening, and the bathroom is healthier as a result. I document every one of them in my toilet lid journal. And now, onto the most divisive topic. Unlike the first two, this one is real, and it actually gets a fair amount of discussion.

Should toilets be caulked at the floor? The answer is yes. The two go hand-in-hand. In reality, toilets rarely leak onto the floor. More often, they leak through the floor around the flange. Caulk prevents a fouling area. Caulking around the base of the toilet will prevent this from happening. Caulk helps to keep the toilet secured to the floor.