Here's what to know. 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.
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.
It ensures that when the toilet drains, all the water goes down the pipe and not under your finished floor into your subfloor. A properly installed toilet ring forms a watertight seal that can last for 30 years or more with no maintenance needed.
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. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble, and fail prematurely.
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.
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.
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.
🚽 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.
On average, most toilets will have a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years, even with regular use. The lifespan may vary depending on the toilet model and the wear and tear it experiences over the years. Most toilets will start to give you warning signs indicating the time for replacement is near.
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.
There are, however some things that may cause them to no longer function properly. 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.
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.
It is recommended that you use a silicone base caulk due to its waterproofing capabilities.
Like many things in the world of plumbing, a wax ring (aka wax seal) on a toilet is an inexpensive part by itself. However, the expertise and time needed to replace it often necessitate using a professional plumber to do the work.
If a fully refinished surface is desired, wipe the area down with acetone and let dry. Spray on an even coat of white surface repair refinishing spray and allow to dry to a light tack. Within 10 minutes, spray on an even coat of clear surface repair spray to “gloss” and seal the surface.
Flex Glue can be used for an assortment of bathroom repairs. Customers often use the waterproof glue to fix toilet tanks, shower tiles, sink pipes, and other bathroom needs. Flex Glue is also mold and mildew resistant, making it perfect for bathroom repairs.
A typical price for Toilet Wax Rings & Floor Seals is $10 but can range from approximately $1.63 to $62.
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.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak.
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.
If the toilet's floor flange height is slightly less than 1/4 inch above the flooring, you can use an extra-thick wax ring to make up the difference. Do not be tempted to stack up two wax rings because this setup tends to leak.