Setting toilet - wobbles?

Just had a new bath subfloor installed in one of the rentals. The guys who did it reset the toilet flange. I've put a torpedo level on the flange and the floor and both are level. The flange is about 3/8 or less above the subfloor.

I turned the old (only about 6 years, so not quite ready for replacement) toilet over and scraped the old wax ring material off as well as some caulking around the perimeter.

However, when I try to set the toilet, it wobbles. This is not the first toilet I've set and I have not ever had this problem.

What could be causing this given that I have checked the above? --74.176.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by JAC [OH]) Posted on: Jan 23, 2018 8:29 PM
Message:

You mention 3/8 above the subfloor but really matters is how far above the finished floor the bulk of the toilet will rest on. Most flanges are designed to sit directly on the floor. If it is raised above the floor your toilet may wobble if the toilet outlet is lower than normal. The specs of toilet are very dependent on drying and amount of moisture in the material it was made from. You can pick up a small marble platform the toilet will sit on and have the marble or tile shop cut a hole for sitting it over the flange. --66.42.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by GA [GA]) Posted on: Jan 23, 2018 8:36 PM
Message:

3/8" above subfloor was a typo.

It is joists, subfloor, and a layer of finish plywood. Finish floor is LVT, so about 1/8" or less thick. Flange is about 3/8" above finish plywood. --74.176.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 23, 2018 9:33 PM
Message:

I myself find it very common. Most of the time I have to shim. Plastic shims.

Either the floor is not level or the toilet is off.

Much more common with the ones from the box stores compared with the ones from my plumbing supply house.

You need a 2 ft level not a small torpedo level to tell what is off. --73.177.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 2:56 AM
Message:

Presuming this is the same toilet that was used prior to the repairs, either it of the old floor were an issue. You should be able to shim the bowl to eliminate any wobbling.

Plumbing Supply Houses as well as some hardware store & big box stores sell plastic wedge style shims just for this issue. Use as many as are needed to level up the toilet, trim off the anything part sticking out & apply a bead of caulking to help seal the gap. --72.93.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 4:10 AM
Message:

I still don't understand what is causing the wobble. Is the toilet not making direct contact with the floor? Are the toilet bolts tighten down?

When my houses get inspected by the city, the first thing the inspectors check for is a wobbly toilet. --68.63.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 5:18 AM
Message:

All toilets are Not created Equal. (in design)

Pick out ones with a Large Floor Base. (per sq.inch)

Also, get rid of the small time nut and bolt

package, it came with. (fasteners)

Upgrade to Larger Size Toilet Bolts, Nuts, Washers.

Sometimes, tenants like to stand on them

or sit backwards and ride them like a Porcelain Pony.

Agreed. A Solid, Level floor, is Absolute.

Along with Wax Ring, Shims and ( level) Closet Flange.

--47.35.xx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Andrew,Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 5:40 AM
Message:

Im with the others....shim and fill gap with caulk.let dry, it should be soild after that.

But if its bugging you.........remove toilet and inspect.

Likely either the flange in the floor is resting on the flange on the bottom of the toilet, or there is a high spot on the bottom of the toilet and /or the floor. Or maybe a bolt or nut is between the floor and toilet flange. --65.94.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 6:11 AM
Message:

NJ inspector came to one of my four plexes and kicked the toilet so hare he made it wobble. Scary guy. I got even though. My contractor became the head building inspector with some clout and he knew about that scary guy. --73.33.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 7:19 AM
Message:

The toilet bolts can not hold the toilet steady alone must have a solid - level floor or shimmed, the wobbly opens the pipe/bowl seal area then the stinky gases come thru the house, I suggest you remove the toilet and compress the wax and start over with shims ready to keep the bowl level or you may be doing this after someone moves in and complains of the stinky smell. --76.188.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by GA [GA]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 8:30 AM
Message:

Thanks. I will proceed as follows:

1. Remove bowl

2. Remove "wax ring"* and check everything in the area with a 2' level. Fix anything that does not check out

**How level does the flange need to be?? 100% spot on, or is it ok if it is 1/16" or 1/8" out from side to side?

3. Put bowl back without "wax ring" to see if it still wobbles

4. If it still wobbles, use the plastic shims.

*I'm using one of those new neoprene "wax rings" so you can remove and replace a bunch of times. Looks to be a great invention. First time using it.

Also - I really can't remember if I had a problem or used shims on a toilet I set 6 years ago, which would only be relavent if it turns out the bottom of the toilet is the problem. The entire floor with joists etc is new. --74.176.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 9:02 AM
Message:

The new neoprene ring may be the problem. It does not compress as completely as the wax rings, so if the flange is high, it will cause the wobble.

First hand experience on this one. --98.122.x.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by thetileguy [TX]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 9:02 AM
Message:

My guess is the neoprene ring is too thick. It's not allowing the toilet to sit all the way down. I've had that problem before. The neoprene ring will move with the toilet unlike a way ring. I would shim and caulk and call it good. --75.108.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RockM [OR]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 9:45 AM
Message:

The last new toilet I bought wobbled when I set it on a perfectly flat floor. It was due to imperfections on the bottom surface of the toilet that resets on the floor. Run your hand across the bottom and feel for bumps, if you feel any, file them off. --157.245.xx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 11:24 AM
Message:

You said using a new NO wax type ring,

I would bet this is the problem.

We use one of the most popular toilets. American standard cadet 3 or Cadet pro.

I can say that there is not a no wax ring that will work with this toilet. If the toilet flange is were it should be.

Which is resting on top of the floor.

We tried 3 of the most popular brand of no wax rings as a test.

--73.177.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by cjo'h [CT]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 12:02 PM
Message:

GA,you don't need a level.the flange. You say it is sticking up 3/8"above floor,it should be flush with floor.and your wax ring seals all. Charlie....... ..... .... ..... .... .. --174.199.xx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Ed [PA]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 4:30 PM
Message:

Just spent last weekend fixing same problem. Flange is too high for the toilet with wax or waxless ring. I had wax ring in place but tenant rocked toilet back for years. Floor was rotted and I had to replace. Ended up putting 3/8" plywood above the floor to fill the gap to stop the rocking toilet. PITA. BTW waxless rings are great. Been replacing with them for 5 or 6 years and haven't had to replace one yet. --72.95.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Andrew, Canada [ON]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 6:16 PM
Message:

I agree, the rubber ring is probably the problem.

The floor flange and toilet flange dont need to be level and square if you use a wax gasket. Also I suggest you use a wax gasket with the plastic extender , the part that extends partially into the floor flange, to help, prevent leaks.

A wax gasket is very forgiving and the only gasket I have used for many years.

Also do not follow mike holmes advice of using 2 wax gaskets.

I listened to him and then had troubles with a toilet, not flushing. The excess wax squashed down and partially plugged the toilet drain. --65.94.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 24, 2018 7:04 PM
Message:

Toilet flanges are made to sit on the floor not flush like some are suggesting. --73.177.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2018 3:37 AM
Message:

After reading all of these 'possible solutions',...I did not realize how problematic installing a new toilet could be. Maybe at the next Mr. LL convention, a new seminar on 'installing a new toilet' could be created? Master plumber Vee should be the instructor too! --68.63.xxx.xxx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 25, 2018 4:33 AM
Message:

Pretty basic.

1. Test fit with toilet bolts but without wax ring.

2. Place shims as needed to level. Mark location or tape to

floor so they dont move.

( always have shims on hand, rare any floor or toilet is

perfect. More level you get it, the less chance of a

tenant trying to sit level and rock the toilet)

3. Install wax ring and mount toilet.

--73.177.xxx.xx

Setting toilet - wobbles? (by GA [GA]) Posted on: Jan 27, 2018 5:26 PM
Message:

Thought I'd give an update.

Went back to the rental, remove wax ring and set bowl - it was just fine with no wobble at all.

I examined the new neoprene ring to see if there was any part of it that would not compress - all compressed just fine.

Put wax ring back on flange, reset bowl and it wobbled, but I decided the wobble got a bit less when I sat on the bowl to compress the ring. Decided to try it, so I tightened the bolts; as they got tighter, the wobble came out just fine. Bowl is tight (hopefully not too tight) and does not not wobble. I think my problem was never having used the neoprene, and expecting it to act like a wax ring when I pushed the bowl down into it for the first time. --74.176.xxx.xxx

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