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.
Signs of a Faulty 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.
The short answer is, indefinitely. Wax, unlike rubber, doesn't deteriorate. Unless there's another problem with the toilet, it won't spring a leak on its own. People usually replace wax rings when they remove the toilet for some unrelated reason.
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 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. When that happens, they need to be replaced.
$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.
🚽 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.
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.
Another common sign is a bad odour in your bathroom. A damaged wax ring not only creates a leak every time you flush your toilet, but it can allow gases from the sewer system to leak into your home. This isn't just a sign of a damaged wax ring but also a sign of a serious health risk.
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.
The staining comes from hard water, which contains a high concentration of minerals mainly iron, manganese, or limescale compounds.
Here's what to know. 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.
Replacing the wax ring is as easy as sliding the new piece onto the bolts in the floor, then sliding the toilet down to make a tight seal.
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.
Loose Flange Bolts
The solution is to tighten the bolts by hand until the toilet stops rocking. If the bolts are too damaged, you'll have to replace them.
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.
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 meant to provide an airtight seal, so no smell or liquid escapes. If the wax ring somehow snaps or is broken down over many years, the airtight seal will break and the sewer odor will be released into the bathroom.
The resulting damage caused by the Category 3 water damage resulting from a wax seal leak is covered under most homeowners' insurance policies.
Determine if the Wax ring is possibly bad by inspecting the floor for water or a foul odor of sewer gas. Use food coloring. If are unsure of where water is coming from you can add food coloring to the toilet tank. If the floor's water is the same color, then you likely will need to install a new wax ring.