Sofia Martinez
Plastic shims are an effective way to level and stabilize a wobbly toilet. They are placed under the toilet to fill in the gaps and prevent the toilet from rocking. When installing a toilet with plastic shims, it is important to first identify any gaps between the toilet and the floor. The toilet should be levelled and steadied by inserting the shims into these gaps. The shims should then be trimmed using a utility knife or hacksaw, ensuring they are close to the base of the toilet. Caulking can be applied to help the shims stay in place and provide a discreet finish. It is recommended to allow the caulk to dry overnight before trimming the excess. This process can help address issues with a wobbling toilet without the need for costly repairs.
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What You'll Learn
Identify if your toilet is wobbly, loose or rocking
If your toilet is wobbly, loose or rocking, it is a problem that should not be ignored. Even if the wobble seems minor, it could be a sign of a bigger issue that could lead to costly damage. A wobbly toilet can be caused by a number of issues, from a damaged wax seal to loose bolts or a broken hinge. It could also be that the floor is uneven.
Firstly, check for any leaks by sliding dry paper towels under the base and flushing several times. If water appears on the paper towels, then you have a leak. If there is no leak, you can proceed with a repair. If there is a leak, you will need to remove the toilet and replace the wax ring.
If there is no leak, examine the base of the toilet and identify any gaps between the toilet and the floor. Try rocking the toilet from side to side to see if there is any movement. Even a small gap can be the source of the problem. If the gap is too small to see, try sliding a shim under the base to see how far it goes in.
If the bolts at the base of the toilet are loose, you can try tightening them with a pair of pliers or a small wrench. Be careful not to over-tighten, as this could crack the porcelain. If the bolts are secure, the problem could be with the wax seal. If the wax seal is compromised, it will need to be replaced.
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Measure the space and buy the right shims
When installing a toilet with plastic shims, it is important to first measure the space accurately to ensure you purchase the right shims and avoid costly fixes. Toilet dimensions aren't standardised, so you will need to take measurements of your space and the toilet you plan to install.
To measure your space, you will need to take the following measurements: height, depth, width, and rough-in measurement. First, measure the height to ensure your toilet will fit beneath any shelving, cabinets, or storage racks on your wall. Next, measure the depth of your space. Most toilets have a depth between 25 and 32 inches, depending on the type of bowl. Round toilet bowls are ideal for smaller bathrooms and are usually around 16 1/2 inches long, while elongated bowls are better for taller adults but take up more space and are typically around 18 1/2 inches long. Then, measure the width of your toilet at its widest point. This may be the width of the toilet tank, or the bowl if it has a slimmer, space-saving tank. Measure both and choose the larger measurement. You will need at least 30 inches of space to accommodate your toilet (15 inches on each side, measured out from the centre).
To measure the rough-in, you will need to find the small bolt on the base of the toilet. Use a measuring tape to measure the distance between the centre of the bolt and the bare wall, excluding any moldings or baseboards. The standard rough-in measurement is 12 inches, but it may be 10 or 14 inches.
When choosing a toilet, consider the size of your space and the user. For small bathrooms, avoid elongated toilets, which have a larger depth. Round toilets are ideal for smaller spaces and for children and smaller adults, but may be uncomfortable for taller adults. If you are taller, consider installing a comfort-height toilet with an elongated bowl.
Once you have your measurements, you can purchase plastic shims to level and stabilise your toilet. Plastic shims are durable and discreet, fitting under your toilet to fill in gaps and prevent rocking. They are easy to install and can be cut to size with a utility knife or hacksaw if needed.
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Prepare the toilet for shimming
Before you start shimming your toilet, you must first check for any leaks. Check carefully for water around the base of the toilet. If there are signs of leaking, it likely means that the wax ring sealing the toilet horn to the toilet flange has become old and compressed. In this case, you must remove the toilet and replace the wax ring. If there is no leak, you can proceed with the repair.
Next, examine the base of the toilet and identify any gaps between the toilet and the floor. It may help to rock the toilet from side to side to identify these gaps. Even a small space can be the source of the problem. If the gaps are too small to see, try sliding a shim under the base to see how far it goes in.
If your toilet is wobbling, you can use plastic shims to cushion the porcelain while providing stability and stopping the toilet from wobbling. You can also use rubber shims, which are easier to cut and cheaper. However, some prefer hard plastic shims as they want the toilet to sit rock solid.
Before you start shimming, make sure you have the right tools. You will need a utility knife, a hacksaw, a screwdriver, and a hammer. You will also need caulking and grout.
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Shim the toilet
Shimming a toilet is a straightforward process that can help to stabilise a wobbly or rocking toilet. It is an easy fix for a common problem, which can develop over time due to a faulty wax seal or settling of the surrounding floor.
Firstly, check for any leaks by carefully examining the base of the toilet for water. If there are no signs of leaking, you can proceed with the repair. If there is a leak, the wax ring sealing the toilet horn to the toilet flange may need to be replaced.
Next, identify any gaps between the toilet and the floor. Rock the toilet from side to side to help with this. Even a small space can cause the toilet to wobble. If the gaps are too small to see, try sliding a shim under the base to see how far it goes in.
Now, insert the shims into the gaps. Plastic shims with ridges will help to stabilise and level the toilet, and the ribbed design will help to fill in the gaps. You can place the thin edge of the shims at different locations around the front and sides of the toilet base. Gently tap each shim with a hammer to ensure it will hold, and trim any excess with a box cutter or utility knife.
Finally, add a dab of caulk to help the shims stay in place. Let the caulk dry overnight before trimming the shims close to the base of the toilet, if necessary. Finish by applying a thin, even bead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap and hide the shims.
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Finishing touches and checks
Once the toilet is in place, loosely tighten the nuts on the closet bolts and check for any more wobbling. If the toilet is still wobbling, add more toilet shims as necessary to fix the rocking toilet. Then, add the cap bases, washers, and nuts. After the bolts are secure, cut off any exposed portions of the plastic toilet shims with a utility knife. You can use a hacksaw to cut down the bolts so that they can be covered with bolt caps.
Next, attach the tank by installing the bolts that hold it to the bowl. Place the rubber gasket into the base and then place the tank onto the bowl. Tighten the nuts on the tank by hand and then further with a wrench, being careful not to over-tighten. Use a level to make sure the tank is sitting level.
Hook up the water line to the tank and slowly turn the water back on. Check for leaks. Small leaks might just mean some bolts need to be tightened more. However, if there is a leak around the floor after a test flush, this is likely due to the wax ring being damaged during installation. You will need to get a new wax ring and reinstall the bowl.
If the toilet is still wobbling after tightening the bolts and shimming the base, there might be more significant problems. The flange bolts that secure the toilet base may be corroded or broken, loosening their grip on the bolts. If the rocking comes back or the bolts loosen and won't retighten, a damaged flange is likely the cause. In this case, you will need to remove the toilet and either replace the old flange or repair it with a flange repair kit.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic shims are used to level and stabilize toilets. They are placed under the toilet to fill in the gaps and prevent the toilet from rocking or wobbling.
Before installing plastic shims, you should first check for any leaks by carefully examining the base of the toilet for water. If there are no leaks, you can proceed with the repair.
If your toilet is wobbling or rocking, you may need to use plastic shims to stabilize it. You can check for gaps between the toilet and the floor by rocking the toilet from side to side. Even a small gap can be the source of the problem.
Place the thin edge of the plastic shims at different locations around the front and sides of the toilet base. Tap each shim gently with a hammer to ensure it holds, then score the shims with a box cutter or utility knife and remove any excess.
After installing the plastic shims, you should caulk the front and sides of the toilet, leaving the back open. This will help to hide the shims and provide a neat finish. You may also need to cut off any exposed portions of the shims with a utility knife.
