Commode in abode leaks at its base
Q. In my eight-year-old house one of the toilets is leaking at the bottom. The plumber put in a new, extra-thick wax ring, but this failed, too. The toilets were lifted when I had a new layer of tile installed, and were then put back. What is wrong, and how can it be fixed?
Also, my floor joists are laminated, meaning they consist of a piece of plywood with a 2-by-4 at the top and bottom of the plywood. It makes a strong joist, but I am seeing black globs oozing from one the 2-by-4s and they are dripping onto the floor. The material is sticky and smells like oil. The globs are not along the length of the joists, but appear in random spots. What’s wrong?
JACK ROONEY, Norwell
A. When the toilet was put back on the thicker floor, the wax ring was too thin for the toilet to mash it down to a watertight seal. The plumber’s extra thick wax ring also didn’t work, but he could install a wax ring with a plastic flange that might help. I also think it is possible to put an extension on the drain to raise the floor flange.
As for the black globs. It could be that the construction adhesive used to build the beams has melted, but construction adhesive is generally weatherproof and resistant to all kinds of attacks. The only other thing that I know it might be is sap oozing out of the wood. Wipe the spots with alcohol. If the alcohol dissolves the material, then it is probably tree sap. If it is tree sap, it is harmless but unsightly.
Q. My 1903 Philadelphia-style house has had plaster ceilings for 103 years. Between late June and late July some parts of the ceiling fell, some in my tenant’s unit and a section of the basement ceiling. Some of the ceilings in my unit cracked and are sagging. I think the third-floor ceiling collapse lines up vertically with the collapse in the basement.
I have checked and found no signs of water leaks. During the summer, there was lot of digging in the neighborhood. Why in the world would these fine old plaster ceilings fall?
JANE, Roslindale
A. Moisture, vibrations, and old age. Those plaster ceilings are heavy, and are installed on wood lath, long narrow strips of wood with gaps between them. The plaster is pressed onto the lath, and oozes between the lath strips, and expands when it gets through the gap. This oozing plaster hardens and the part that expanded formed a key to hold the plaster in place. Vibration from all those street projects shook that plaster enough to break the key.
Moisture helped. The moisture was from condensation, not leaks, because, as you may remember, June and July were particularly humid. The third cause was old age. Nothing lasts forever, and to last 103 years is pretty good for anything or anybody. Those ceilings were among the best of any kind, much better, in my opinion, than modern drywall and skim coats.
To fix this, check other parts of the ceiling to make sure they are secure and not sagging. Also check to make sure the wood lath is secured to the joists. Have a plasterer install new plaster on that wood lath. He may put up two layers. As for the sagging ceiling, it could be pushed back into place and secured to the wood lath with ceiling buttons, nails, or screws with a big, flat washer type head that will hold the plaster in place.
Q. I spent a lot of time remediating lead paint in my house, but one closet still has lead paint. Can I store canned foods in that closet with the lead paint?
FRED, Belmont
A. If there are no kids in the house, I think you can. After all, cans are remarkably well sealed . The only thing you might do is wash the cans thoroughly before opening them. Besides, if one can loses its seal, you can tell by the smell and taste. Or, prime the shelves and other leaded areas with an interior primer and finish off with a latex sealer paint or whatever seals in lead. Jeffrey May, a leading authority on lead, asbestos, mold, and other hazards, said if the paint is peeling, chipping, or dusting that is another matter, and such paint should be removed.
Q. The vinyl window in my shower area is standing up to moisture nicely. But the grout between tile and vinyl window keeps cracking. How can I keep it from cracking or crumbling?
LINDA ABRAMS, Waltham
A. The different materials (vinyl and ceramic) are contracting and expanding at different speeds and distances, causing the grout failure. Take out the grout and put in a smooth bead of caulking.
Globe Handyman on Call Peter Hotton is also in the g section on Thursdays. He is available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions on house repair. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats online about house matters 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to www.Boston.com. Hotton’s e-mail is photton@globe.com. 
