Once installed, a
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.
Water Leaking: If you notice water pooling around the base of the toilet, it could indicate a failing wax ring. This is often the most obvious sign. Unpleasant Odors: A wax ring that has deteriorated can allow sewage gases to escape, leading to foul odors near the toilet.
If the floor has any softness or if the toilet flange is broken then there can be movement between the toilet and drain flange every time someone sits on the toilet. Over time this slight movement causes wax ring to fail.
You only have to replace the wax ring if the toilet leaks. It's wise to replace it whenever you remove the toilet, though. It's not a matter of age, but the fact that a wax ring is intended to be a single-use item. They squish into place when you set a toilet, and that can't happen very well more than once.
Wax Ring: Replacing a wax ring costs $50–$200. This part seals the toilet base to the floor drain. Plumbers use plates to examine and replace this part. Tank: A toilet tank replacement costs $50–$100.
Reasons to Caulk Around a Toilet
Moisture Prevention: Without caulk around the toilet base, external water can seep under the toilet, leading to floor and subfloor damage over time. This is especially important in bathrooms with wooden floors, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot and structural issues.
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.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl.
Wax-free Toilet Seals: The New Kid on the Block
For plumbers interested in a mess-free option, wax-free toilet seals check this box. These seals affix to the toilet using a strong adhesive. There's no wrangling the ring in into place. It's a straightforward method of keeping your toilet base leak free.
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 average homeowner typically replaces their toilet every 10 to 15 years. However, when properly cared for, a toilet can last up to 50 years or longer. Toilets usually show signs that they need a repair or replacement, but some reach the end of their lifespan with little or no physical signs.
If you notice the caulk around the base of your toilet start to turn brown, it means your toilet has a wax ring which is leaking. As a result, human waste especially urine is decolorizing the normally white caulk. The solution to this is to remove the toilet and put a new wax ring.
It is fairly easy to tell if you have a properly sealed wax ring; your toilet will not wobble, will be stable, and will have no water leaks. A few specific things to check include the height of your toilet flange, the stability of the toilet, and whether the floor around the base of the toilet remains dry.
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.
As noted, the consequences of stacking wax rings are serious. Most importantly, you decrease your chances of achieving a proper seal. As a result, you expose home and building occupants to sanitary risks such as leaks, bacteria growth, and structural water damage.
Bad Odors Coming from the Toilet
It's likely that what you're smelling is sewer gas that's made it past the wax ring. Don't mess around with this type of situation. Sewer gases are harmful. Not only do they make people sick, but if there is an open flame, the gases could cause an explosion.
If a wax ring breaks or wears down, then it loses its watertight seal. When this happens, the seal allows water to leak out when you flush. Often, when this happens, you'll see some water on the floor around the base of your toilet.
When a toilet leaks at the base, with water pooling on your bathroom floor, it's typically due to the failure of the wax gasket that seals the toilet to the floor. This seal should make a watertight connection between the toilet and floor. A leak often means that the wax seal may need to be replaced.
When removing a toilet, replacing the wax ring between the bathroom and the floor-mounted toilet flange (commonly referred to as a closet flange) is essential. The wax ring's purpose is to create a water and air-tight seal that can withstand years of use.
Toilet flappers usually last for about 3 to 5 years, but the lifespan can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the flapper, the water quality, and the frequency of use.
There may be several reasons you have a wobbly toilet. It may not actually be the entire toilet that's wobbly, either; you may just have a loose seat that needs tightened or replaced. However, you could have worn-out caulking, loose or damaged bolts, or a toilet flange in serious need of some TLC.
Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. It's actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to?
Alternatives like caulk strips and sealant tape need more frequent replacement, but spray foam and silicone putty can offer a similar life span in the right conditions.