kinda gross but need help?

Question

I don't know too much about toilets but I'm renting a house that's over 20 years old.Lately my toilet has been leaking water all around the bottom of it and when i mop it up it came up like reddish color on the mop. And i think this was from the holidays when i got sick and threw up and it was red. But it's been leaking for over a week now. It kinda stinks like sewage but only sometimes and it's not that strong of an odor. Does anyone know if it might be the septic tank? i live in the high desert and all the homes up here have septic tanks. someone told me it could be the septic tank backed up or something. does anyone know if theres any way i can fix it without having to call a plumber?

oh and i've been living here for only 5 months. and this house is years old i don't think the septic tank has been ever cleaned and how would i go about finding where the septic tank is at just wondering.

Answer 1

you need a new wax ring
In order to keep foul odors from entering the house, toilets are sealed to the drain pipe with a ring of wax. During installation the wax gets squeezed between the porcelain and the iron (or plastic) flange, and once the toilet is moved from it's original position, the wax ring must be replaced.

A new wax ring is needed when:

* Water leaks from the base of the toilet when it is flushed.
* Sewer odors are constantly noticed in the bath room.
* The toilet is removed so the flooring can be replaced. Removing a toilet is easy, there is no need to cut around the base of the toilet when installing new flooring.
* The toilet rocks back and forth, even just a fraction of an inch. The wax seal will lose its grip if the toilet moves at all.

Replacing a wax bowl ring is straightforward - yank the throne, tip it over, scrape off the old goop, slap a new doughnut in place, and drop the john back on the pipe.
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/bath/fixt_repair/toilet/wax_ring/replace.htm

Answer 2

Ok has septic tank ever been treated?

If not need to go get some Rid X or Dr Drain. and use it to treat the septic tank.
As far as leaking around the base that usually means your seal had gone bad. They are made out of wax and over time they do go bad.

They are officially called toilet bowl rings. I think haven't really looked that close at name, just grab and go when I need one.
Kind of messy and nasty to change. First have to turn off water, then flush the commode. then use shop vac to vacuum out any excess water in the bowl and tank, then you have to remove the two screws to remove the toilet off the ring. [usually they are froze up with rust]
Then you have to remove the old ring and clean the pipe out good before putting the new ring in.
Then reverse the process. But the toilet back on aligning the holes and tighten the nuts good and tight. Then turn the water back on and flush to make sure you have a good seal. If not tighten some more but don't over tighten.

Answer 3

I would get the waxed ring replaced, it seals off the connection between the toilet and the drain pipe ,also useing a toilet auger wouldnt be a bad idea either ,that will clean out the inside toilet trap.if it was a septic tank back up you would have backup from you basement area such as floor drains and washtub or your lawn would be soaked with the stuff. Wax ring is about 3 or 4 dollars toilet auger will run about 15 dollars,But these are exspenses to your landlord so have him do it, thats why you pay rent.Just inform him of the leak and mention it might be a wax ring.

Answer 4

Usually, if a septic tank backs up, it will come up in the tub also. If you jarred the stool, you may have loosened the wax ring which seals the stool to the sewage stack. Your landlord may take pity on you and replace the ring. Or, since you damaged it, he may call a plumber and you get to pick up the charges. Either way, you do not want to put off repairs for too long. The floor will eventually rot away in the long term. In the short term, it is a health hazard to you and your family.

Answer 5

No, you need to call a plumber, first of all nothing should be leaking out from around the rim because that should be all sealed up with caulk and all that good stuff. You may just have a backup. But instead of a plumber, you need to first check into the sewage system company. Unless your plumber can do both. Good luck.

Answer 6

No, its not the septic tank and no, you can't fix this yourself. The toilet will need to be removed and remounted with a new gasket. Sometimes these gaskets wear out and leak, and somtimes they just shifted a bit, and are not sealed together anymore.

Answer 7

the floor leakage indicates the wax seal between the flange and the commode is no longer in place

meaning the bolts could have loosened up and the toilet has moved


or the floor is weakened from this possible leakage over time

only way to know for sure pull up the commode

and as you are a renter

CALL the LANDLORD it is his issue to deal with

Answer 8

i seen my dad fix that problem in about a hour.. he took the tolet off the round thing in the floor. it was a leaking wax ring where the toilet sat on.. thats whats leaking.. you have to turn the water off on the valve leading to the back of the tank.. then un bolt the line connection .bale out the water inside then unbolt the to bolts at the bottom of the toilet.. lift of and remove the wax.. replace the wax ring with a new one.. set the toilet back on and press it down..problem fixed

Answer 9

When was the last time you had the cess pool emptied? If it's backed up, I'd say it's been too long. Call the Landlord.

Answer 10

Your renting... unless there is some other agreement, your landlord is responsible to repair the leak. Call them.