What causes a toilet to leak from the base when flushing?

A toilet leaking from the base when flushing usually means the seal between the toilet and the drain has failed. Most often the wax ring under the toilet has compressed, shifted, or wasn’t seated evenly, so flushed water escapes at the floor. Loose closet bolts can open a gap, and a damaged toilet flange can keep the wax from sealing. If water shows only during the flush and not while the tank refills, the bowl‑to‑drain seal is the prime suspect. We handle this repair routinely for homeowners around Alafaya with standard reset-and-seal service.

Common causes and fixes your plumber will check:

• Compressed or misaligned wax ring; reset toilet with a new seal.
• Loose or corroded closet bolts; relevel and tighten, shimming if needed.
• Cracked or low toilet flange; repair with a flange ring or spacer.
• Hairline crack near the outlet; replace the toilet.

Until serviced, shut off the water, avoid using that toilet, and dry the area to protect the subfloor.

Updated: 2026-06-22

Need help in Alafaya, FL? Call (407) 768-4694 or book online.