From the Manufacturer. Eastman's Jumbo Flanged Toilet Wax Ring is necessary for toilet installation. The wax ring creates a seal between the toilet bowl and the sewer pipe. This wax ring is ideal for use where a regular ring does not provide enough wax.
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.
If your flange is floor level or slightly below then you can use an extra-thick wax ring. If the flange is lower than a 1/4” below the floor level then you should use a flange extension to raise the flange height or remove and replace the old floor flange and set it to the right height.
Most waste lines have a 3- or 4-inch diameter. Many wax rings are compatible for both sizes, but it's still prudent to double-check the compatible drain size before buying a new product. To determine the correct wax ring size for your toilet, you'll need to remove and measure the base.
Place the Wax Ring and Toilet
Do not be tempted to stack up two wax rings because this setup tends to leak. Installing a flange extender or using an extra-thick wax ring will work much better in the long run. Place the wax ring on the closet flange, not on the 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.
Remove the hassle out of replacing your toilets wax seal with Fluidmaster Better Than Wax. This superior solution eliminates messy wax, and cuts down on repair time, with a rubber toilet seal design. A truly universal toilet repair part that fits any toilet, drain, or flange.
Loose Flange Bolts
The solution is to tighten the bolts by hand until the toilet stops rocking. If the bolts are too damaged, you'll have to replace them.
Hercules® Johni-Ring® Jumbo Size features extra wax for special jobs and provides a permanent, sanitary, gas and watertight seal on most types of water closets. Constructed of high-quality golden wax, Johni-Rings will not dry out, harden or deteriorate.
Johni-Ring Jumbo has 40% more wax than the standard Johni-Ring – for applications where the floor flange is excessively recessed. Eliminates the need for “double stacking.” Johni-Ring for Urinals - felt reinforced, 2" diameter for most wall-installed urinals. Can be used on cast iron, copper or plastic fittings.
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. If you'd rather have something that's easy to install, then a modern, wax-free toilet seal might be a better choice.
The seal is created instantly once you seat the toilet on top of the ring. From this moment forward, everything should be stable, and there should be no water leaks or other signs of a bad toilet seal.
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.
🚽 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.
Wax Toilet Seals: Keeping with Tradition
For years, wax rings have been plumbers' go-to options for making these types of toilet repairs.
This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years. However, if it dries out and starts to crumble, you could be at risk for a messy leak. At that point, it's time to install a new one.
Caulk prevents smell
If you don't caulk a toilet to the floor, you could find yourself smelling leftover residue from smelly mop water, tub water, or even worse, the remnants of your son's potty training.
A seal can be created from clay too if you don't have wax available — or you might prefer to make one from clay. To make a clay wax seal, you need to roll a conditioned polymer clay ball and then flatten it with an acrylic block, a piece of glass, or similar.
Hercules Johni-Ring 3 in. - 4 in. Jumbo Toilet Wax Ring with Plastic Horn 90241 - The Home Depot.
If your toilet doesn't sit flush against the floor, it will start moving as you use it. Most often, toilets rock back and forth because of a loose bolt, an uneven floor, or problems with the wax seal that connects your toilet to its drainage system.