Why Is The Caulk Around Toilet Turning Brown? (Fixed) -

Sealing the base of a toilet is highly recommended.

It’s one of the best maintenance tips a property owner can follow. Having the silicone caulk set up around the base of the toilet helps prevent leaks and/or moisture from getting through.

However, things are not always as rosy as they need to be.

This can include a situation where the caulk around the toilet starts turning brown.

If the caulk around the toilet is turning brown, this means the wax ring is damaged or leaking. It causes moisture to settle along the caulk causing it to turn brown or yellow. To fix this issue, replace the wax seal and re-caulk the toilet base.

This will take care of the issue.

It is not a pleasant sight to deal with and it should be corrected as soon as possible. If you let things fester for too long, it will create a situation where the browning gets worse.

It is also possible for the water to get through and start damaging the flooring.

This article will provide a more detailed look at what to do if the caulk around a toilet is turning brown suddenly.

Table of Contents

Best Toilet Caulk (EDITOR’S CHOICE)

No products found.

How To Fix Caulk Around Toilet Turning Brown

1. Turn Off The Water Supply

Dealing with brown stains around the toilet base is frustrating.

You don’t want to have such a messy look take away from the bathroom’s elegance. This is why more and more property owners try to get to the bottom of what’s happening with the browning caulk near the toilet.

For the most part, you will know something is leaking underneath.

This is why it’s important to turn off the water supply until the issue is fixed. This will also allow you to access that part of the plumbing without water damage.

Take your time and make sure the toilet is drained before moving on to the next step.

2. Remove The Toilet To Access Wax Ring

You are now going to remove the toilet.

To do this, two screws run along the base of the toilet. Some might have more and that’s fine.

Just remove those screws and keep them in a safe place for later. You will need them to re-install the toilet.

The goal is to get to the wax ring, which is set between the toilet and the drain hole. When you take off the toilet, you will see the wax ring right away.

Start inspecting the wax ring and look for damage or leaking. It will be obvious if the caulk around the toilet is brown.

3. Replace The Wax Ring

You are now going to find a wax ring replacement for the toilet.

The goal here is to replace the wax ring and make sure the new one is a snug fit. You will have to take your time during this process to ensure it goes in smoothly.

Once it is in place, it should not budge easily.

4. Re-Install The Toilet & Re-Caulk The Base

The last step is to put everything back together.

You are going to begin by setting the toilet in place and tightening the screws. Make sure it is tight and the toilet does not wobble when you push it.

After you are fully satisfied with how the toilet is set up, you can begin to re-caulk the toilet base.

Use a 100% pure silicone caulk for the toilet base.

This will be waterproof and is going to last a lot longer than any other option on the open market.

How Do You Whiten Caulk Around A Toilet?

To white caulk around a toilet, use 1 gallon of water and 1/4 cup of bleach. Mix these ingredients and apply the formulation to the caulk. Scrub the surface using a toothbrush and it will begin to whiten.

It’s a simple process that can help with a bit of yellowing.

However, you should still pinpoint what the root cause is as there might be a leak underneath.

Final Thoughts

Why is the caulk around the toilet turning brown?

If the caulk around the toilet is turning brown, this means the wax ring is damaged or leaking. To fix the issue, you will have to replace the wax ring. Do this by turning off the water supply, removing the toilet, taking out the wax ring, and replacing it with a brand-new alternative.

Once you do this, you can re-caulk the toilet and it will be good to go.

This can happen as a toilet gets older. A lot of property owners report this after the toilet hits the 10-year mark.

Read More On Bathrooms: