Rotted subfloor can make replacing a toilet difficult

Are you looking to update a bathroom? Perhaps you’ve thought of replacing the toilet with one of the newer, higher models that offer more comfort and ease to the older members of your family. On the surface, removing and replacing a toilet should be a simple job. But, unfortunately, it can be frought with peril, especially if you have a rotted subfloor beneath the toilet. Believe it or not, this condition is more common than you may think.

Sometimes toilets develop a small leak. No, let’s call it a really tiny leak – one that you don’t ever notice. That tiny leak, over the course of several years, can put lots of water pooling under the toilet. Yes, it dries and evaporates and then it gets damp and soggy all over again. That moisture is damaging your subfloor, and you don’t even know it. The only time you’ll see it is when you remove the toilet from the flange.

If you’re in the process of replacing a toilet, be sure to do a careful inspection of the wood underneath it. Look for evidence of a leak. The wood may be soft or water-logged, or perhaps it will just be badly discolored. If you see evidence of a leak, you’ll have to remove the subflooring and replace it. If you don’t do this, the new toilet may not seat properly. In some cases, you’ll actually feel it rocking slightly from front to back or from side to side. Not good!

What further complicates your problem is that you’re not just dealing with a subfloor. Chances are that your bathroom also has a flooring overlay of some kind, such as ceramic tile. So now you’ve got another layer of substrait to deal with, and your frustration level rises rapidly.

Now, if you’ve got the chops to remove and replace the damaged subfloor, then go for it. But if you find yourself in uncharted waters, you’re going to need help. Unfortunately, getting a handyman or a carpenter out for such a small job is next to impossible. At best, you’ll get put on the schedule, and that means you’re going to wait until the contractor can squeeze in a small job like yours.

Stop the madness! We have a better way!

The plumbers at The Plumbing Source have years of experience installing toilets. But here’s the kicker: The Plumbing Source has its own remodeling division staffed with people who can do everything from small repairs to major renovations. If we find you have a bad subfloor, we just call in another employee skilled at kitchen and bath renovations. You save time because you’re only dealing with one company. And you save money because of the efficiency from working with just one supplier.

So whether you have a simple plumbing repair, or a more complicated situation that you’re dreading, relax and give us a call. We’re ready to solve your problem for you quickly and efficiently. Need reassurance? Check us out on Angie’s List. Where most companies have a couple hundred reviews, we have more than 1,600. We’re been awarded the Angie’s List Super Service Award 21 years in a row, and we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Call 216-365-0600 for all your plumbing needs! We’ve replaced hundreds of toilets over the years. We’ll do a good job with yours! And remember,

“When you call The Plumbing Source, you made the RIGHT call!”