Table of Contents
What causes a wax seal to fail?
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.
What happens when a wax ring goes bad?
Your toilet’s wax ring creates an airtight seal to prevent water and sewer gas from escaping. When the thick wax ring goes bad, you need to replace it right away to prevent leaks. Knowing the signs of wax ring failure helps you spot an issue early to prevent major plumbing repairs.
How often should the wax ring be replaced?
In theory, the wax ring “should” last the lifetime of the toilet, or certainly 20 to 30 years.
How do you test a wax ring seal?
Check the Flange Height With the toilet removed, you can see the toilet flange and measure its height above the floor. The optimum flange height to aim for is 1/4 inch above the finished floor. This typically allows for almost any type of wax ring to be used and still ensure a good seal.
Do wax seals dry out?
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.
How long should a wax seal last?
The wax seal is designed to last as long as your toilet does – up to 30 years or more! Under normal conditions, you won’t have any problems. If something DOES go wrong, though, the problems it can cause will be expensive if you don’t take care of them.
What does a bad wax ring look like?
The first sign of a failing wax ring is water that seems to be seeping out of the base of your toilet. Other signs to look for include: Water stains on the ceiling from the floor below. A lingering, unpleasant bathroom odor from escaped sewer gasses.
How long should a wax ring last?
The wax keeps water from leaking as it passes from the toilet to the drain pipe. It also seals against foul sewer gas odors. A wax seal will often last the life of the toilet, 20 or 30 years, without needing to be changed. There are times, though, when the wax ring will need to be replaced.
Can a bad wax ring cause sewer gas smell?
When this wax ring begins to deteriorate, many problems can occur — the release of foul sewer odors is one of them. 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.
What is better wax ring or rubber?
Using a wax-free seal makes clean up easier and there’s less room for error. If you need to remove the toilet base with a wax ring, you’ll need to purchase another ring to reinstall the toilet. When you use a wax-free seal, it’s reusable as long as it’s in good condition.
What happens if you break the wax seal on the toilet?
Under normal conditions, you won’t have any problems. If something DOES go wrong, though, the problems it can cause will be expensive if you don’t take care of them. If the wax seal breaks, the toilet will leak. However, most of the water will leak underneath the floor.
When to replace a seal on a wax ring?
If you notice any of the warning signs that the seal might be going bad, check up on it, don’t ignore it. Replacing the wax ring is much easier and less expensive than repairing and restoring after flood damage. Don’t wait. Hesitation can cost you big time.
How can you tell if your toilet wax ring is bad?
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. If the floor is still dry, chances are that the water wasn’t coming from the toilet’s base.
How long does a toilet wax ring last?
The Wax Ring The wax ring is an airtight and watertight seal that prevents leakage of fluids and gasses from your toilet and the sewer it connects to. The reason we never think about this is because generally, it’s not a problem. The wax seal is designed to last as long as your toilet does – up to 30 years or more!