Services Provided
Diagnose mold problem and water leak. Replace wax ring for 2 toilets.
Experience and Good Comments
5/19
Found mold on the ceiling of the pantry. Didn't think much and thought that it might be caused by the moisture in kitchen. So I used the disinfecting wipers to remove them and then used hair dryer to dry the area. The drywall was a little bit soft and I didn't think that it was water leak. Yesterday the mold came back. I asked my fellow coworkers for suggestions and got detailed instructions.
After work I tried to cut the drywall. Before that I used my hand to push the wet part and found that I could actually tear it down with one hand since it was soaked. Then I discovered that there is water leak from the top of the pipe every time there is a water flush. The black pipe itself does not leak. I checked the 2nd floor and didn't see anything. Now I am not sure if I can still proceed to do DIY to fix it. Will need to consult with my coworkers again.
5/21
Got advice from coworkers on 5/20 that it should be wax ring issue. Got the detailed steps form one coworker and also watched a couple of videos.
• Bought the green ring and liquilock from HD
• shut off the water supply to the toilet
• Use a cup and paper towel to empty the toilet tank (not much water and I could use liquilock)
• Use liquilock to turn the water in the toilet bowl into gel
• Disconnect the tank from the bowl, and set the tank aside
• Undo the bolts at the base of the bowl
• Rock the tank to break the seal and move the bowl aside
• Remove the old wax ring using trowel (I happened to have the tool), Cleaned the area using clorox and replace the new green ring.
• Found the bolt set was not long enough. paid HD #2 visit
• Follow these steps in reverse to re-assemble everything
• Found it didn't work
• Did quick research and determined that the flange was below the floor and the green ring didn't work in this case. Paid HD #3 visit and bought fluidmaster better than Wax and extra think wax ring (just case)
• Tried it again and it worked!
Also found the root cause. One bolt which fastens toilet to the flange was broken somehow.
Tip1: test before putting everything back. i.e. put the toilet bowel back without fastening and then test.
Tip2: it was not as messy as I thought. The wax ring just looked messy.
Later I found that my another toilet also had wax ring problem (very minor issue. when there is splash water around the toilet it turned yellow/dirty). So I fixed the #2 toilet using the green ring.
The green Sani seal toilet gasket $12.48
flange bolt set $3.96
Liquilock staty dry gel $3.27
Better than wx toilet seal $8.28
Extra thick wax ring $6.28
P.S. I am glad that I did this project. Now I am confident that I can fix most toilet issues and I can replace my toilets. If I called a professional that would be at least $200 and it would not be so fast. I learned important DIY skills within one day.
// I made this review detailed so even if you have never done this before like me you are not afraid of doing it.
Not-So-Good Comments
I should have cut the drywall when I first found mold.
