How do I know which wax ring to buy?

Author: Dr. Stacy Jacobson  |  Last update: Sunday, January 4, 2026

To determine which one is right for you, you'll need to check the “toilet flange” – a metal or plastic piece that can be found over the pipe in the floor under your toilet. If the flange is level with your floor, a regular-thickness wax ring will be fine.

How do I know what kind of wax ring I need?

Again, you have two options: regular and extra thick. To determine the wax ring size, remove the toilet to see the inside diameter of the waste pipe. Diameter: When installing a wax ring, the diameter must be the same as the opening on the bottom of the toilet.

Are wax rings one size fits all?

Wax rings come in two diameters: 3 inches and 4 inches. If you're not sure what size wax ring to buy, measure the opening on the bottom of your toilet bowl. The wax ring should be the same size as the width of the opening.

Is there a difference in wax rings?

Reinforced wax rings have a solid core so they're more firm, jumbo wax rings are for recessed flanges, and wax rings with horns are for waste stacks with flow issues, but I've used them all for their unintended applications (sometimes double stacked) and I've never had any issues.

Should I use a Jumbo wax ring?

Jumbo wax rings are a solid product- they are just 40% more wax than a standard. I use them if the flange is just slightly below the floor and the customer doesn't want to pay me to raise the flange unless they have to.

Toilet Flange Height and Toilet Wax Ring Thickness

Do you put a wax ring on the floor or toilet?

Position the new toilet wax ring on top of the toilet flange, ensuring it is centered. Want to know more about choosing the correct wax ring size, crucial installation tips, and other frequently asked questions?

Is it OK to double up wax rings?

In fact, it will have the opposite effect. Because stacking wax rings requires joining two separate pieces, you create gaps where sewage byproducts can escape. This is due to the rings not fully molding to form one solid new piece. As noted, the consequences of stacking wax rings are serious.

Should you caulk around a toilet?

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.

What wax do jewelers use?

Green wax is a favourite among jewellers for its blend of hardness, precision, and durability. It's your go-to for detailed pieces with consistent quality. Blue wax is loved for its flexibility and smooth texture, making it a great pick for all kinds of projects, whether you're a newbie or a pro.

Do I need to remove old wax ring?

Using a putty knife, you'll need to remove as much of the old wax ring as possible from both the bottom of the toilet and the pipe fitting in the floor, called the toilet flange. Clean and dry the flange completely before preparing to install the new wax ring.

How to know if a wax ring is sealed?

It is fairly easy to tell if you have a properly sealed wax ring; your toilet will not wobble, will be stable, and will have no water leaks. A few specific things to check include the height of your toilet flange, the stability of the toilet, and whether the floor around the base of the toilet remains dry.

What size ring do I fit?

Tips to ensure an accurate measurement:

base of your finger as well as your knuckle and select a size between the two to allow enough room to comfortably slip over your knuckle. For a wider band (larger than 6mm), select one size larger than what your actual ring size is, wider bands take up more space on the finger.

How high should a wax ring be above the floor?

The correct height for a toilet flange is about 1/4 inch above the floor, which should be finished.

How do I choose wax beads?

Choose hard wax beads based on your skin sensitivity and hair type, opting for gentle formulations for sensitive skin and beads designed for tough hair removal for coarse hair.

Can a bad wax ring cause flushing problems?

If a wax ring breaks or wears down, then it loses its watertight seal. When this happens, the seal allows water to leak out when you flush.

What if the toilet flange is below floor level?

If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

What wax ring do I need?

To determine which one is right for you, you'll need to check the “toilet flange” – a metal or plastic piece that can be found over the pipe in the floor under your toilet. If the flange is level with your floor, a regular-thickness wax ring will be fine.

How do you cut jeweler wax?

The wax tube can be cut down using a wax cutting saw blade and the excess can be kept and reused. Make sure you pick a wax tube with a central hole in the middle so that when it comes to sizing the ring as you carve, this can be done easily using a professional wax ring stick.

Does the color of hard wax matter?

A: Yes, each color has a slightly different consistency and works better for different hair types.

How often should you Recaulk a toilet?

Signs It's Time to Recaulk Your Bathroom
  1. Mold or mildew beneath the surface of the caulk, indicating water leakage.
  2. Caulk is older than five years.
  3. Dried out or cracked caulk.
  4. Peeling or missing caulk.

Is it against code to caulk around a toilet?

Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. It's actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to?

Can plunging a toilet damage the wax ring?

Plunging can usually only loosen clogs that are close to the bowel. What's more, if you're too vigorous with your plunging, you might mess dirty toilet water out of the bowel. Besides this, too much plunging can also damage the wax ring at the base of your toilet.

Is there something better than a 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.

Why would I need a jumbo wax ring?

In this sceanrio, using a jumbo wax ring provides the extra thickness necessary to create a secure seal.

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