Subfloor damage in the bathroom usually comes from a leaking toilet but it can also be the result of a persistent sink drain leak or even a drip behind.
Bathroom floor repair around toilet.
A spongy floor around the toilet is a strong indication that the subfloor has absorbed water.
Peel back the flooring around the fixture and you will likely discover swollen discolored wood a.
There may be steps you can take to repair or reduce the damage.
Above the existing flange.
The new floor can be upward of 1 in.
If only the area directly below the flange is rotted you can install a two piece steel closet flange support.
Repair dry rot in the floor around toilet.
Your toilet may also feel unstable rocking when you sit down.
Cost to repair this type of damage will vary greatly depending on the extent of the damage and the type of flooring.
Doubling up the wax ring isn t a good solution because excess wax can squeeze into the pipe and restrict flow.
It goes under the flange and transfers the load of the flange and toilet and you out onto more solid surrounding wood.
But if your floor is severely rotted say more than an inch beyond the flange you re stuck replacing the flooring around the toilet.
How to repair a rotted bathroom subfloor.
The process to repair the subfloor is not easy but it needs to be handled promptly to avoid further damage to the wooden floor below which could eventually result in the toilet falling through.
Often a new bathroom floor is laid on top of the old one leaving the toilet flange too low to seal with an ordinary wax ring.
It sounds like that s a pretty common wear and tear pattern that you re experiencing there jeff around the toilet and if you don t fix it it s going to get worse a lot quicker.
Because of leaky toilet seals pest inspectors often find dry rot in the subflooring beneath the toilet area.
If your toilet has been leaking there is a danger the wooden subfloor will be damaged as a result.
If you notice any of these issues in your bathroom you should have them checked out by a professional.