In your case, mineral spirits will probably be your best bet for removing that funky layer of sticky wax. If you haven't already, try using a plastic putty knife to scrape up as much as you can without damaging your new flooring. Apply the mineral spirits with a rag and scrub gently to remove the wax residue.
Mike Casey, a licensed plumber in Connecticut and California and coauthor of Code Check Plumbing, responds: Yes, both electric and hydronic radiant systems can get hot enough to melt wax, leading to failure of the toilet's wax ring.
The wax ring seals a toilet base to the toilet flange. If during installation the wax is squashed out such that it partially blocks the waist opening that can cause clogging.
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.
Typically, you should wait at least 30 minutes after replacing a wax toilet bowl ring before turning the water back on. No waiting necessary. The wax deforms and makes a water/waste proof connection instantly. Also turning the water on won't exposed the ring to the full flush until you flush your toilet.
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.
🚽 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.
In order to prevent problems with your new wax ring, it is helpful to know what commonly causes problems with this important little gadget. First and foremost, a loose toilet will often cause a wax ring to lose its seal and leak.
Water around the Toilet Base
The first sign of a bad toilet ring is water forming around the base of the toilet. To test that a bad seal is the problem, grab a couple of towels and wipe up the water. Go on with your day, checking periodically to see if the water has returned.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak.
Remove the hassle out of replacing your toilets wax seal with Fluidmaster Better Than Wax. This superior solution eliminates messy wax, and cuts down on repair time, with a rubber toilet seal design.
If you notice your toilet overflowing or leaking during a shower this is a sign of a clog. Usually this means there is a clog between the toilet and the sewer. The reason this becomes known during a shower is due to a backup of waste water lines in your home.
Apply the mineral spirits with a rag and scrub gently to remove the wax residue. Always use care with mineral spirits as it is flammable. If you don't have mineral spirits on hand, check in your garage for a bug and tar remover or Goof Off Heavy Duty.
Place the Wax Ring and Toilet
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.
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.
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.
It's usually linked to a bad flapper in your toilet tank, meaning that the water in the tank is slowly leaking out.
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.
If the caulk is beginning to break down, it is a good idea to remove the old and apply the new caulk. What type of caulk for toilet base? It is recommended that you use a silicone base caulk due to its waterproofing capabilities. Let's take a look below at how to caulk our toilet base.
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 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.