Water Leaking: If you notice water pooling around the base of the toilet, it could indicate a failing wax ring. This is often the most obvious sign. Unpleasant Odors: A wax ring that has deteriorated can allow sewage gases to escape, leading to foul odors near the toilet.
The wax ring is exactly what it sounds like: a ring made of sticky wax that helps form a watertight seal between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer pipe. It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself.
A damaged wax ring not only creates a leak every time you flush your toilet, but it can allow gases from the sewer system to leak into your home.
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.
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.
In an effort to dislodge whatever is clogging the toilet, many homeowners get overzealous and thrust too hard downward into the toilet with their plunger. A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl.
Reasons to Caulk Around a Toilet
Moisture Prevention: Without caulk around the toilet base, external water can seep under the toilet, leading to floor and subfloor damage over time. This is especially important in bathrooms with wooden floors, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot and structural issues.
If you see pooling water around your toilet's base, clean up the water and thoroughly scrub the tiles until they are clean and dry. Wait a few minutes before reevaluating the space for leakage. If the pooling water returns after you clean the area, you probably have an under-tile toilet leak.
Replacing the wax ring is as easy as sliding the new piece onto the bolts in the floor, then sliding the toilet down to make a tight seal.
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.
If you notice the caulk around the base of your toilet start to turn brown, it means your toilet has a wax ring which is leaking. As a result, human waste especially urine is decolorizing the normally white caulk. The solution to this is to remove the toilet and put a new wax ring.
Wax-free Toilet Seals: The New Kid on the Block
For plumbers interested in a mess-free option, wax-free toilet seals check this box. These seals affix to the toilet using a strong adhesive. There's no wrangling the ring in into place. It's a straightforward method of keeping your toilet base leak free.
If the toilet continues to leak at the base when flushed, it might not be bolted tightly to the floor. Look at the base of the toilet, and you'll see two tee bolts, which might be covered with caps. If the wax ring under these bolts doesn't form a water-tight seal, the toilet will leak from the base when you flush it.
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.
Upstairs Toilet Leaking Through Your Ceiling
If your toilet is leaking, the most likely cause is that the wax seal between your toilet and the floor has been damaged. This can be a common problem, especially in older homes. The best way to deal with a toilet leak is to replace the wax seal.
How Often Should I Replace the Wax Ring on a Toilet? Anytime you remove or replace a toilet for any reason, you should always change the wax ring and replace the flange on the toilet.
If your toilet wax ring is not sealed properly at the base of your toilet, it can cause health risks to you and your family or structural damage to the subfloor of your bathroom, requiring expensive repairs. Homeowners dread problems with leaky toilets.
With average costs for toilet installation ranging from $224 to $533, most people around the country are paying $374 for toilet installation costs.
An improperly installed wax ring may leak. Perhaps the installer used a ring that wasn't thick enough, or perhaps the flange is high enough to lift the toilet off the floor and make it rock. Once water begins seeping through a compromised wax ring, it won't stop.