Latest Discussions : Plumbing

04:22PM | 01/27/11

Member Since: 06/14/05
3 lifetime posts

Vinyl flooring turning black near toilet

Tags: Plumbing

Hello,

My vinyl flooring is turning black near my toilet......I kind of did the jump test to see if water was leaking and making the floor soft but it is hard and we looked from below (we have no ceilings downstairs) and see nothing unusual on the wood. I had a plumber out awhile back before this happened for a different suspected leak and he took the toilet off and actually put on two wax rings and stuck it back on so I wouldn't think it would be leaking.....do you think this is leaking or do you think condensation from the toilet is running under there and getting under the vinyl and causing mold? I don't have the toilet caulked to the floor at all.

And do I have to rip up everything and start over?

Thanks,
Michelle

danielleb

05:44PM | 01/27/11

Member Since: 12/20/10
127 lifetime posts

Is it mold or mildew? I've heard of mold growing under tile if there is a long term water leak, even if it's a slow leak. You don't see it until the tile gets loose and you investigate. I would imagine that with vinyl, it would be able to penetrate up to the surface.

They say soap and water is all you need to kill mold and mildew now and that bleach isn't all that necessary. I don't think you'll be able to stop it from continuing unless you look under the vinyl and see if it's growing and from where.

LarryG

07:02AM | 01/28/11

Member Since: 07/22/04
649 lifetime posts

The wax seal isn't the only place a toilet can leak. It can leak at the tank to bowl bolts(sometimes only when you push on the tank)or the tank to bowl gasket only leaking when the toilet is flushed.