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.
Water leaking around the base of your toilet is the most obvious sign of a bad toilet seal.
Once installed, a wax seal should last the life of the toilet, 20 or 30 years, without needing to be changed. There are times, though, when the wax ring needs to be replaced, such as when your toilet begins to leak around the base or starts rocking.
Seal replacement has a price around $60 to $200 on average. The wax seal or wax ring is the part of the located around the base, sealing it in place and connecting with the drain opening in your floor. The seal can become damaged over time and cause the toilet to become wobbly, loose, and leaky.
Toilet Seal Replacement
It is recommended they be replaced every three to five years. If you notice your toilet seal has started to loosen from the base of the toilet or on the floor, you should replace it. A torn or loose toilet seal will leak water from the tank and go down the wall or under the floor.
Disconnect the toilet and move it to a safe space. Scrape the old wax seal off with a putty knife. Place the new wax seal on top of the toilet flange. Reinstall the toilet and flush it to check for leaks.
Reusable: Unlike wax rings, rubber gaskets can be repositioned without losing their sealing capability. Temperature-resilient: Rubber gaskets are less affected by temperature fluctuations. Easy installation: Rubber gaskets are less messy and easier to handle.
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.
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.
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? Check out our Oatey 101: Wax Rings blog.
How Often Should I Replace My Toilet? Toilets can last for up to 50 years under average conditions. However, this doesn't mean that you won't need to spend money maintaining it throughout its useful life. Furthermore, there are many factors that could cause your toilet to fail in less than 50 years.
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. Often, when this happens, you'll see some water on the floor around the base of your toilet.
But, the rule of thumb is to replace your toilet every 25 years, due to damage and regular wear and tear. If you have an older toilet, you should consider newer model toilets as they will be more efficient in conserving water and utility costs.
In general, it is recommended to replace silicone sealant every five to ten years, but this can vary depending on many factors. If you notice that the silicone sealant is discoloured, cracked, or showing signs of wear and tear, it may be time to replace it.
Plunging down too hard
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.
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?
Without caulk, it's easier for water from a leak to seep out onto the floor. The problem is visible, so you're more likely to spot it right away and get prompt repairs. However, with caulk, water from a small leak can get trapped underneath, allowing the problem to compound before someone finds the issue.
Wax Toilet Seals: Keeping with Tradition
For years, wax rings have been plumbers' go-to options for making these types of toilet repairs.
Silicone bathroom caulk tends to perform best for sealing toilets. It's water-resistant and flexible.
Not only is our Wax-Free Toilet Seal easier to install than traditional wax rings, but it also provides superior performance. It can withstand extreme temperatures and won't break down over time, ensuring long-lasting durability and peace of mind.
In conclusion, the wax ring on your toilet will most likely never need to be replaced for the lifetime of the toilet. But, it will if you find that the base of your toilet is leaking. Sometimes, leaks at the base can be caused by the bolts being too loose. On the other hand, it could be because of a faulty wax ring.
I found after trying both Goo-Gone and Dawn dish soap, that a very simple way to remove wax off of the linoleum was to use good, old-fashioned baking soda. I just sprinkled a generous amount on the floor, ran the plastic side of a sponge over it, and it came right off. Here's my new toilet by Kohler.