Regarding this toilet and it's leak assesment, in those fateful words that Charles Buell has heard more often than he will admit: "Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt". Just kidding, Mr Bee. Fact is, I did not need a moisture meter to recognize the problem, but it helps make the case. I will only take this so far however. If there is pooled water all over the floor, who needs to get the moisture meter all wet? Water is water all over the world!
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Steve, you home inspectors must go loaded with a pickup truck full of gadgets! Moisture meter, indeed! They just cost money. I'd say just rub your finger over the spot! lol
Barbara,
The catch is that the moisture meter detects moisture UNDER the vinyl. It is not uncommon for the leak to be coming out under the vinyl, rotting the floor. Eventually it shows up in the vinyl, looks sort of like in the photo, but the moisture meter will catch it before anything is visible. An inspector takes readings in known dry areas, like the middle of the floor, then reads around the toilet. Sometimes it is amazing the way you can catch problems before they become expensive fixes. One always has to be careful of false readings but with experience you can get good at figuring what you are seeing.
HHHHmmm, If that is a leaky toilet, I sure hope the subfloor ain't wood cuz that floor may need to be replaced too. Subfloors in Bathroom are a PAIN to replace.
Sean Allen
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