Can a toilet seal go bad?

Author: Wallace Jaskolski  |  Last update: Sunday, July 30, 2023

A bad or poor wax seal on your toilet is among the most common reasons for a toilet leak. There are many reasons why the wax ring may not seal right, but perhaps the most common one is that you simply have an old wax ring that must be replaced with a new wax ring.

How often does a toilet seal need to be replaced?

Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years.

How many years does a toilet seal last?

or certainly 20 to 30 years.

Besides leaking, signs that the wax ring may need replacing could be an odd odor seemingly stemming from the area where the toilet meets the floor, or if the toilet itself feels wobbly.

What happens when a toilet seal fails?

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.

Can wax seal go bad on a toilet?

It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble, and fail prematurely. When that happens, they need to be replaced. The telltale sign of wax ring failure is water leaking out from around the base of the toilet.

How to Repair a Leaking Toilet | Ask This Old House

How do I know if my toilet seal is bad?

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.

How do I know if my toilet needs a new wax seal?

Knowing the signs of wax ring failure helps you spot an issue early to prevent major plumbing repairs.
  1. Water around the Toilet Base. ...
  2. Bad Odors Coming from the Toilet. ...
  3. Ceiling or Floor Damage. ...
  4. Non-Wax Related Toilet Leaks. ...
  5. Call for Toilet Repairs Right Away.

How do you test a toilet wax seal?

Determine if the Wax ring is possibly bad by inspecting the floor for water or a foul odor of sewer gas. Use food coloring. If are unsure of where water is coming from you can add food coloring to the toilet tank. If the floor's water is the same color, then you likely will need to install a new wax ring.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet seal?

The wax ring is the seal between your toilet and the sewer pipe. It's essential to have a good seal so that waste and water would not leak from the base of your toilet. If your toilet is leaking, the wax ring likely needs to be replaced. On average, it costs between $200 and $250 to replace a toilet wax ring.

What does it cost to reseal a toilet?

The most common place for a toilet to leak is at the wax seal. Replacing a wax seal may be as cheap as $50. Other common leak points are the tank and bowl which may cost $300 or more to repair.

Does a wax ring only leak when flushed?

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.

Should I caulk around my toilet?

🚽 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.

How do you fix a bad toilet seal?

Install the New Wax Ring
  1. Step 1: Remove the Existing Wax Ring. ...
  2. Step 2: Replace the Toilet Flange Bolts. ...
  3. Step 3: Attach the Wax Ring. ...
  4. Step 4: Position the Toilet. ...
  5. Step 5: Bolt the Toilet Back Into Place. ...
  6. Step 6: Reconnect the Toilet and Check the Toilet Wax Ring. ...
  7. Step 7: Seal the Toilet With Caulk.

What causes toilet seal to leak?

The most likely culprits are the drain line, wax ring, flange bolts, cracks, or water supply line. You can replace a wax ring on a toilet, or you can call in a pro for the job. A pro may recommend replacing parts or the entire toilet. Leaks can lead to expensive water bills and repairs, so quickly investigate.

Can a broken toilet seal cause a leak?

The wax ring usually needs to be replaced because the toilet is loose. The other reason why a wax ring may need to be replaced is that it has been worn down over the years and is no longer pliable. This means the seal is no longer intact. Therefore, it causes water to seep through the base.

Do plumbers fix toilet leaks?

If your toilet is leaking from the water supply, the water supply line may need repairing. This is a common and inexpensive repair for your plumber to make. If the toilet rocks when you sit on it, your plumber may need to replace the wax seal.

What seal is better for toilet?

Wax-free toilet seals are made out of a heavy duty rubber, so they're flexible enough to shimmy into the flange without smearing a wax ring. Wax-free seals can also be reused. As long as they're still attached to the bowl in good condition, you can reinstall the toilet without replacing the seal.

What is the best seal for the bottom of a toilet?

It is recommended that you use a silicone base caulk due to its waterproofing capabilities.

Should I use a wax or rubber toilet seal?

The choice between wax toilet seals and wax-free toilet seals ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Many professionals stick with wax because they know it's reliable, and they're paid to deal with the mess. If you're more comfortable with the tried-and-true approach, go with a wax seal.

Should the wax seal go on the toilet or the flange?

If the wax ring has plastic reinforcement, the plastic must fit into the waste line, so it's usually best to place the ring on the flange. Then drop the toilet into place. Once that's done, it's important to compress the wax ring to make the toilet sit flush on the floor before bolting it in.

Can a bad wax ring cause sewer gas smell?

The wax ring is meant to provide an airtight seal, so no smell or liquid escapes. If the wax ring somehow snaps or is broken down over many years, the airtight seal will break and the sewer odor will be released into the bathroom.

Why is my toilet leaking after I replaced the wax ring?

A wax ring, when correctly installed, produces a watertight seal between discharge hole and the waste pipe. If the closet flange sits below the level of the finished floor or the wax ring is installed catawampus, the seal can be incomplete, and the toilet will leak.

What causes a wax ring to go bad?

In order to prevent problems with your new wax ring, it is helpful to know what commonly causes problems with this important little gadget. First and foremost, a loose toilet will often cause a wax ring to lose its seal and leak.

Can you reuse a better than wax toilet seal?

An argument that one could make for wax-free seals is that they're reusable. If you need to remove the toilet base with a wax ring, you'll need to purchase another ring to reinstall the toilet. When you use a wax-free seal, it's reusable as long as it's in good condition.

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