Toilet Shims Are The Budget-Friendly Answer To A Wobbly Toilet

Is there truly anything worse in the world than feeling a toilet suddenly wobble beneath you as you sit? It's disorienting, and if you happen to have a loose grip on your phone, it can be disastrous. If you've had one too many toilet wobbles that feel like near-death experiences, it's time to fix this confounded problem once and for all. But you may be surprised to find that your toilet seat is intact and the seat is totally secure, leading you to wonder just what is causing your toilet to wobble. Often, it's due to the actual foundation of the toilet not being even with the surface of the floor. This can be due to improper toilet installation or the toilet being built on uneven ground to begin with. Luckily, the solution to fixing this is pretty simple and inexpensive, and in most cases, you don't even need to call in a professional. All you need are toilet shims and a little bit of basic DIY skills. 

Shims are small wedges made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, rubber, and wood, that can be inserted in those tiny cracks and crevices to stop wobbling in furniture and toilets. Think of shims as the plumbing equivalent to using a matchbook or penny to fix a wobbly table. With the help of the wedge, the toilet will stay stable and you won't have to worry about being thrown from your porcelain throne again. 

To fix your uneven toilet with shims, you'll need a few supplies: a rubber mallet, a knife, and, of course, shims. Head to your local hardware store or order a pack of toilet shims from Amazon. Considering that the bathroom is a wet area, you'll want shims made from a water-resistant material such as rubber or plastic. Once you've identified where the gap is, slide one of your shims inside of it. Force it in as much as possible with your hands. You can use the rubber mallet to push it until it is flush with the toilet base if needed. If pushing the shim in too far is causing the toilet to be uneven on the other side, you can cut off the excess length of the shim with a very sharp knife or multi-tool, but be sure to use caution. 

Test the toilet seat for wobbliness by shaking it with your hand, and even taking a seat so it has to bear your full weight. You may have to use a couple of shims, depending on how significant the gapping is, so repeat as necessary. 

But that's not where you're finished, because you want to seal the gaps to prevent any structural damage. Use caulk to fully seal the area and give a clean finish, then allow it to fully dry for at least 24 hours before using the toilet. Just like that, your toilet should be stable and safe to use once again.