If your toilet wax ring is not sealed properly at the base of your toilet, it can cause health risks to you and your family or structural damage to the subfloor of your bathroom, requiring expensive repairs. Homeowners dread problems with leaky toilets.
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.
The first thing you do if your toilet is leaking at the base is stop using it. Water from a leaking seal will damage ceilings, structural members, and floor sheathing if left uncorrrected. This water intrusion can also introduce mold and mildew into the living space.
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.
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.
$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. Unless there is a problem, it should take them under a half hour, whereas, it might take a novice 1.5-2 hours.
How Often Do Wax Rings Be Replaced? The truth is, wax rings never need a replacement unless it is old and you find water leaking from your toilet. Another reason might be because the toilet wasn't on right which is causing a leak. In these cases, it will need a replacement.
🚽 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.
While leaky sinks and pipes can cause damage to your home, there's a vast difference between a tiny leak that's dripping and a considerable leak that quickly fills buckets of water. A large volume of leaking water is generally considered a plumbing emergency.
The most common toilet leak is caused by a deteriorated flush valve (flapper) at the bottom of the toilet tank. If the flapper does not seat properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. Often this leak will occur without being heard.
If the closet flange cracks and causes the toilet to become unstable, the rocking movement can also break the wax ring. When this occurs, water will leak from the base of the toilet and often through the ceiling below. Improper installation practices are typically the reason for this type of failure.
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.
If the wax ring isn't sealed correctly, it can cause wastewater to leak from the bottom. Leaking water can lead to mold around the floor. A poorly sealed wax ring can also cause foul odors to stink up your bathroom. If you smell sewage or see water leaking, then you may need a new wax ring.
A faulty wax ring, or one that is going bad, may produce any number of telltale signs. These include leaks, bad smells, or a wobbly toilet.
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.
The most likely culprits are the drain line, wax ring, flange bolts, cracks, or water supply line. You can replace a wax ring on a toilet, or you can call in a pro for the job. A pro may recommend replacing parts or the entire toilet. Leaks can lead to expensive water bills and repairs, so quickly investigate.
Firmly press your sealing stamp in the wax for a couple of seconds and leave it to harden for about a minute. Gently remove the sealing stamp. If you feel some resistance, leave it to cool for a little longer. Admire your beautiful impression!
The answer is YES, as clogs or blockages occur in drain pipes water backs up inside behind the blockage and can cause a pipe to burst, or slowly leak through seals and joints.
If the toilet continues to leak at the base when flushed, it might not be bolted tightly to the floor. Look at the base of the toilet, and you'll see two tee bolts, which might be covered with caps. If the wax ring under these bolts doesn't form a water-tight seal, the toilet will leak from the base when you flush it.
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.