A regular wax ring is all you need if the flange is set on top of the finished floor. Oatey® Heavy Duty Wax Bowl Ring can be used to set any floor type closet bowl. A thicker wax ring is used when the flange has already been set on the subfloor and is flush with the tile instead of sitting on top of it.
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.
Choose a wax ring of the appropriate size. The type with a polyethylene plastic sleeve provides a great seal and fits most standard drains. 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.
Johni-Ring Jumbo has 40% more wax than the standard Johni-Ring – for applications where the floor flange is excessively recessed. Eliminates the need for “double stacking.” Johni-Ring for Urinals - felt reinforced, 2" diameter for most wall-installed urinals. Can be used on cast iron, copper or plastic fittings.
Most waste lines have a 3- or 4-inch diameter. Many wax rings are compatible for both sizes, but it's still prudent to double-check the compatible drain size before buying a new product. To determine the correct wax ring size for your toilet, you'll need to remove and measure the base.
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.
A wax seal is an elegant and classic way to seal stationery, invitations, personal and business documents. Standard wax seal sizes range from 0.75" – 1.5".
For those that don't already know, the proper toilet flange height is when it's flush with the top of the finished floor. The optimum height is about ¼ inch.
Hercules® Johni-Ring® Jumbo Size features extra wax for special jobs and provides a permanent, sanitary, gas and watertight seal on most types of water closets. Constructed of high-quality golden wax, Johni-Rings will not dry out, harden or deteriorate.
Wax Toilet Seals: Keeping with Tradition
For years, wax rings have been plumbers' go-to options for making these types of toilet repairs.
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.
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.
A regular wax ring is all you need if the flange is set on top of the finished floor. Oatey® Heavy Duty Wax Bowl Ring can be used to set any floor type closet bowl. A thicker wax ring is used when the flange has already been set on the subfloor and is flush with the tile instead of sitting on top of it.
🚽 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.
A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. 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.
Can you put a new toilet flange over an old one? A standard toilet flange should fit snugly into the outflow pipe and sit level with the subfloor. Installing a new one without first removing the old one will make it impossible to form a seal and keep the toilet bowl bolted securely in place.
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.
Temperature Matters
You won't necessarily be able to see the cracks until the ring leaks, so it's best to keep the ring in a warm room around 70 degrees or more until installation. The ring shouldn't be too warm either, so try to keep it below 80 degrees to avoid messy handling.
The choice between wax toilet seals and wax-free toilet seals ultimately comes down to your personal preference. 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.