Wax rings come in two diameters, 3 and 4 inches, to comply with the standard size for toilets in the United States. Thickness is also a specification that should be considered. Again, you have two options: regular and extra thick.
The toilet flange helps connect the toilet to the floor and the sewer drain pipe. The toilet is secured snugly to the flange with the help of a wax ring, which creates the necessary airtight seal. While most wax rings are designed to be one-size-fits-all, flange height can affect the fit.
There are only two factors to a correctly sized wax ring: width and thickness. 1. Width – Measure the bottom of your toilet. To determine the correct width for your toilet wax ring, simply turn your toilet bowl on its side, and measure the opening on the bottom of your toilet, called the “elbow neck.”
Some seals are made from beeswax, but others are constructed from petroleum or other ingredients. The material that the wax ring on your toilet is made from depends on who manufactured it. Regardless, this kind of seal is pliable and a reliable way to seal between the toilet bowl and flange.
A regular wax ring is all you need if the flange is set on top of the finished floor. Oatey® Heavy Duty Wax Bowl Ring can be used to set any floor type closet bowl. A thicker wax ring is used when the flange has already been set on the subfloor and is flush with the tile instead of sitting on top of it.
In theory, the wax ring “should” last the lifetime of the toilet, or certainly 20 to 30 years. We come across situations all the time, however, where wax rings are in need of replacing well short of this scenario.
Perfect Seal is truly universal and it will work with any toilet installation. It fits any drain size and flange depth. Whether your flange is above the floor or below the floor due to re-tiling, the Perfect Seal is a perfect seal the first time, every time.
Place the wax ring on the closet flange, not on the toilet. Pick up the toilet and set it evenly over the closet flange, making sure the bolts come through the bolt holes in the toilet base. Fine-tune the toilet position, so it's right where you want it, then push it straight down so it smashes the wax evenly.
Water around the Toilet Base
The first sign of a bad toilet ring is water forming around the base of the toilet. To test that a bad seal is the problem, grab a couple of towels and wipe up the water. Go on with your day, checking periodically to see if the water has returned.
When it works properly, the wax ring creates a watertight seal between the toilet base and the drain pipe. Unfortunately, wax can fail over time, leading to water leaking onto the floor. The good news is that popping on a replacement wax ring will fix the problem.
You should always consider replacing the toilet supply when replacing the wax seal. If toilet is caulked to the finished floor of the bathroom, score the caulking all the way around the toilet base with a razor knife.
If the wax ring isn't sealed correctly, it can cause wastewater to leak from the bottom. Leaking water can lead to mold around the floor. A poorly sealed wax ring can also cause foul odors to stink up your bathroom. If you smell sewage or see water leaking, then you may need a new wax ring.
🚽 Caulking Prevents Water Contamination
It could be water splashing out of a bathtub, mop water, water from a shower and even misguided potty training from your young boys who seem to miss the toilet bowl every single time! Without caulk around the toilet base, water can get under there and sit for a long time.
One very common cause of wax ring problems is loose toilets. If the toilet is not firmly mounted, or gets loose to the point where it rocks a bit, it can cause the wax ring to lose its seal. When installed, a wax ring is compressed to fit the flange and the toilet, creating the seal.
A faulty wax ring, or one that is going bad, may produce any number of telltale signs. These include leaks, bad smells, or a wobbly toilet.
In conclusion, the wax ring on your toilet will most likely never need to be replaced for the lifetime of the toilet. But, it will if you find that the base of your toilet is leaking. Sometimes, leaks at the base can be caused by the bolts being too loose. On the other hand, it could be because of a faulty wax ring.
Wax-Free Foam Gasket
If more height is required the foam gaskets can easily be stacked. Unlike most other types of seals, foam gasket seals maintain a good seal even if the toilet rocks. This type of gasket will allow you to set the toilet multiple times, unlike wax rings that get smashed once and need to be replaced.
A damaged wax ring doesn't seal the connection between the toilet and sewer line. This causes water to leak out and pool around your toilet. If you catch this issue quickly, then it may not damage your subfloor and require additional repairs. Some leaks are constant, while others only occur when you flush the toilet.
The only-when-flushed toilet leak could be caused by loose mounting bolts or a worn-out wax gasket while the all-the-time leak could be caused by a loose water supply line connection, a problematic water shutoff valve, or a faulty seal between the toilet tank and its base.
Behind every good toilet—or, rather, beneath—is a good wax ring. But with time, even good toilet wax rings can go bad.
$90-$120 is a good ballpark.
If you are having other plumbing work done, they might do it cheaper, and if they have a large travel fee, you may pay closer to $150. Unless there is a problem, it should take them under a half hour, whereas, it might take a novice 1.5-2 hours.