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.
The wax ring should be compressed around 1/2 to 3/4 it's initial height once installed. If it will compress less, you need a taller ring. If it will compress more, consider getting one with a flange to limit wax extrusion into the drainage path. I always purchase the extra-thick ring with the flange.
🚽 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.
International building codes require that a fixture shall be made watertight where it comes in contact with the wall or floor. One way of making sure this code is adhered to is by caulking around the toilet.
Toilet manufacturers have weighed in on this discussion to recommend that you place tiles beneath the toilet flange. What they recommend is to put the flange on top of the tile, ensuring that the bottom of the flange touches the surface of the tile.
Thickness – Check the toilet flange.
If the flange is level with your floor, a regular-thickness wax ring will be fine. You'll only use a double-thickness wax ring if the flange is located under the floor.
The seal is created instantly once you seat the toilet on top of the ring. From this moment forward, everything should be stable, and there should be no water leaks or other signs of a bad toilet seal.
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 your toilet doesn't sit flush against the floor, it will start moving as you use it. Most often, toilets rock back and forth because of a loose bolt, an uneven floor, or problems with the wax seal that connects your toilet to its drainage system.
How soon after I install a new toilet can I use it? Technically, a new toilet will work as soon as it's hooked up to the water supply line. But waiting until the caulk is fully dry is wise. Refer to the directions on your caulk tube for an ideal dry time, but know that most should be set within three to six hours.
Whenever you remove a toilet for any reason, you will need to replace the wax ring seal between the toilet and the toilet flange (sometimes called a closet flange) attached to the floor. A wax seal is used because it resists mold and bacteria and retains its sealing ability after years of use.
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. It doesn't take standing water long to rot a subfloor.
If there is no caulk, any water that creeps underneath the toilet can remain undisturbed for some time. It will soon start to stagnate, providing a breeding ground for mold and fungus. The application of caulk to the toilet prevents this from happening, and the bathroom is healthier as a result.
Caulk is used to fill in the gaps between tile and fixtures (such as a bathtub or sink) or the floor and wall. Unlike grout, caulk is not used between the tiles, except where a vertical and horizontal tile surface meet, such as between a tile shower floor and tiled walls.
For instances where the flange is too low, you can raise it with a repair flange or Set-Rite Kit. It is not recommended to stack wax rings because they will not seal together and would leave a leak path between the two.