Author Topic: Plumber or Contractor  (Read 1696 times)

4n6

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Plumber or Contractor
« on: September 23, 2017, 07:40:52 PM »
This afternoon we noticed that there was some white mold growing on a small portion on the wall near the toilet in the downstairs bathroom. We don't use that bathroom that much, but noticed the toilet has been running and it doesn't stop. We think there might be a water leak. I fully admit I am not handy at all and I am worried that we have a water leak that could be rotting out the subfloor. There is no bubbling of the tile floor or anything. I am wondering if I should hire a plumber or bathroom contractor to look at it. Again, I am most worried about the subfloor. My concern with hiring a plumber is if they will be be able to identify if they subfloor has been damaged and we might need more extensive repairs.

Thoughts for those who have had this happen before?
« Last Edit: September 23, 2017, 07:42:54 PM by 4n6 »

bacchi

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Re: Plumber or Contractor
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2017, 07:48:55 PM »
Turn off the water at the wall valve (you've done this, right?)
Unscrew the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor
Move toilet

It's probably just an old wax ring and a running toilet. You'll probably be able to see any damage once the toilet is moved.

4n6

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Re: Plumber or Contractor
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2017, 07:54:00 PM »
Yup, already shut off the water. But haven't removed the toilet. How can I tell if there is water damage on the subfloor though? That is what I am worried about because this could've been going on for awhile. Thanks for the response.

bacchi

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Re: Plumber or Contractor
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2017, 08:08:04 PM »
This is a wood subfloor, correct? Is it 2nd story or 1st story on pier and beam or...?

When you move the toilet, there will be a plastic or metal flange that the toilet sits on, which the bolts connect through, and the wax ring will be a nasty mess (it might pull off with the toilet). Whether you notice anything depends on how far the mortar and tile go under the toilet.

When you say that the mold is on the wall, how high is it? Is it near where the water supply is?

Sibley

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Re: Plumber or Contractor
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2017, 08:57:28 AM »
Running toilet is likely the flapper. That's an easy fix, trust me. Watch some you tube videos, take the old one off, go into the hardware store and get a new one. The fill valve can also cause issues inside the toilet, that's a little more complicated but is totally doable as well. (I started w/toilets where you are, this is manageable.)

Mold on the wall:
What's the ceiling UNDER the toilet looking like? If you've got a leak, at some point you'll see water damage there. Water flows downhill.

In terms of identifying if the subfloor is damaged, the only way is to actually look at it. Some discoloration/staining is ok, rotting is not. If it's damp (aside from whatever water you splashed out of the toilet), soft, you can poke a screwdriver into it pretty easily, etc that's not good. How not good depends on how bad it is. You may be able to just let it dry out and fix the cause. You may need to replace stuff. And anywhere in between.

However, mold on the wall isn't necessarily coming from the base of the toilet. Simple condensation can cause mold. Do the sides of the tank get condensation? That may be the problem. You may have a leak in the water supply line (the flexible hose that attaches the wall pipe to the toilet). Those don't last forever - it's if 10+ years old, it probably needs to be replaced. Both of those you can handle. There's also the water pipe inside the wall (I'd call a plumber if that's the problem.) Where's the mold in relation to everything else? That'll help you find the cause.

Really, don't panic, and start trying to trace the source of the water.

 

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