There are a few types of wax-free gaskets out there for anyone tired of using wax rings. They have a special rubber seal that fits onto the bottom of the toilet and then a deep seal flange that goes into the drainpipe sealed by a leak-proof o-ring that prevents splash up and the rotting of the floor flange.
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.
Using a wax-free seal makes clean up easier and there's less room for error. An argument that one could make for wax-free seals is that they're reusable. If you need to remove the toilet base with a wax ring, you'll need to purchase another ring to reinstall the toilet.
Non-Wax Related Toilet Leaks
Sometimes a toilet leaks around the base and it has nothing to do with the wax ring. For example, sometimes the bolts that attach the toilet to the floor cause water to leak out from base. Tightening or replacing these bolts should solve the problem.
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.
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.
In your situation, it sounds like the floor has been build up around the flange and it is lower than the floor so they have to put multiple wax rings so the toilet seals down to the flange or use the rubber extension flange.
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.
A toilet wax ring is a seal between the fixture and the closet flange on the floor. Its primary purpose is to prevent leaks from the bottom of the toilet and provide an odor-proof seal.
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.
It can vary depending on your location and how quickly you need it. $90-$120 is a good ballpark. If you are having other plumbing work done, they might do it cheaper, and if they have a large travel fee, you may pay closer to $150.
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.
Again, leaky water is a telltale and common sign of a bad wax ring. If you do not regularly see moisture or puddling water under your toilet, you may be fine. Leaks can, however, happen where you do not see them, under the finished floor and into the subfloor.
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.
As a result, having a local plumber replace your toilet's wax ring can be anywhere from $75-250 depending on the cost of the trip charge and whether anything else is discovered in the process that needs fixing.
One reason for a toilet leak from the base might be a loose connection where the tank meets the toilet. Check the connecting bolts. If they seem loose or you can see water gathering in that area, use the screwdriver to tighten them. Approach the bolts from inside the tank and screw downward to create the best 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.
If the wax ring has plastic reinforcement, the plastic must fit into the waste line, so it's usually best to place the ring on the flange. Then drop the toilet into place. Once that's done, it's important to compress the wax ring to make the toilet sit flush on the floor before bolting it in.
To determine the correct width for your toilet wax ring, simply turn your toilet bowl on its side, and measure the opening on the bottom of your toilet, called the “elbow neck.” Whatever width this measurement is, use that width wax ring. E.g. if the elbow neck measures 3 inches, use a 3-inch wax ring.