LESLIE: Alright. Iris is calling in from Texas with a toilet question. How can we help you today?
IRIS: Hello. I had a plumber put in a new commode and it works fine but when you flush it, everything is fine. But the next thing I know, this water is coming up between the floor and the commode. It’s down at the bottom; at the floor and the commode. And I was wondering what would cause that.
LESLIE: And this has only happened since the new commode was installed? You didn’t have any issues with the old toilet?
IRIS: (overlapping voices) Oh, yes. I never did have any trouble with the old commode; I just got a new one.
LESLIE: It’s got to be an issue with the wax seal. When a toilet is installed, new or old – and sometimes even with an older toilet – you need to replace the wax seal, which essentially looks like a rubbery, waxy doughnut that goes over the plumbing through the floor. And then the toilet sits upon that and that sort of creates a seal between the floor and the toilet and water. And this way, nothing gets out.
But if the seal is not put on properly or isn’t fully intact, that could absolutely cause a leak.
TOM: And if it’s been happening since the toilet was installed, I’d definitely have the plumber back and tell him that it was …
IRIS: Well, I had the plumber back but he didn’t fix it.
TOM: Well, what did he tell you?
LESLIE: (overlapping voices) What’d he do?
TOM: What did he do?
IRIS: Well, I just let him go in there and I just thought he fixed it. When he left, I found out he didn’t fix it. And I called him later but I haven’t seen him since.
TOM: Yeah, yeah.
IRIS: So that’s the reason why I called you. I was wondering what was the cause of it. Is it a major deal or something?
TOM: Yeah, the cause is the wax seal and the solution is simply the toilet has to be taken up and the wax seal replaced and put back down again. And you should be able to flush it immediately and see if you get a leak. And you get that plumber back there and don’t let him leave until you test it.
IRIS: I’ll just get me another plumber, then. (chuckles)
TOM: I think you’re going to have to get you another plumber.
IRIS: I think so, too. I sure appreciate you.
TOM: (overlapping voices) Alright, Iris. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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