How to Know when a Wax Ring Is Bad

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If your toilet is leaking where it contacts the floor, there is a good chance the wax ring is bad. You will need to replace it.

Steps

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  1. Determine if the Wax ring is possibly bad by inspecting the floor for water or a foul odor of sewer gas.
  2. 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. [1]
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  3. Begin by shutting off the water at the shutoff behind the toilet. Flush the toilet now . Then remove the supply line. You may want to reuse the line if it a new flexible type, but if it's an old solid draw tube type, it is easiest to cut it with a tubing cutter and replace it with a flexible type. [2]
  4. Use the sponge to get the remaining water out of the tank and bowl. There is a trap built into the toilet, so be aware there may be some remaining water in the toilet even after you do this. This will be important later when you go to move the toilet. [3]
  5. These are the bolts that hold the toilet down on the floor. Sometimes they can just be removed with a deep well socket, but many times they are corroded and have to be cut or broken off. There are many ways to cut these bolts, but the best way is with a rotary tool or one of the new vibrating tools. Cut next to the base of the toilet, not underneath. There is a flange that the toilet bolts to underneath of the toilet. If you mess this up it has to be replaced and the part can be expensive and is a pain to change. [4]
  6. This is not the easiest endeavor. You want to try to keep the toilet level so the remaining water does not come out of the trap. You can rock it forward to break it free of the wax ring, but try to lift it level.
  7. There will be remaining wax on the bottom of the toilet and if you set it on the floor, it'll make a mess.
  8. Clean the floor flange as thoroughly as you possibly can. You must now also tilt the toilet and get the underside clean. [5]
  9. You need two new johnny bolts , a new toilet supply line if you are changing it, Teflon tape and a Neoprene floor gasket . Do not get a wax ring. Wax rings are a pain if you do not do this every day. With a wax ring, when it comes time to set the toilet to the floor, you have one chance to get it right. If everything is not lined up perfectly, you have ruined the ring and now have to go get another. The rubber gasket allows you to adjust the toilet into place until everything lines up. Make sure you don't put the gasket in upside down . It will fit the flange very well one way, and not well at all the other.
  10. Place the rubber gasket over the bolts. It will help to hold the bolts upright to mount the toilet. Place two 12" long 2x4 scraps on either side of the flange. Place the toilet one these boards and lie on your stomach in front of the toilet so you can line up the toilet. [6]
  11. If it does not, double check to see if your flange connection is aligned. If it is still crooked but you are sure you have a good connection you will need to use a shim under the lip of the toilet base to level the toilet after you have put some tension on the johnny-bolts.
  12. When you are sure that the bolts are where you want them, you can use a wrench. You can not level a toilet by tightening the johnny-bolts. Do not over-tighten them, because you can crack the toilet, but you are more likely to break the flange. See #4.
  13. Turn on the water and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, you are done.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I replace a wax ring with a neoprene gasket?
    Community Answer
    A gasket might work, but the wax ring is the preferred method.
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  • Question
    What causes my tank to fill periodically?
    Community Answer
    Most likely the flap that lifts when you flush the toilet is slowly leaking causing the valve to drop below the fill level. Sometimes cleaning the flap and the area where it sits will solve the problem, but you may have to replace the flap with a new one.
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  • Question
    What if a leaking wax ring damages cabinetry nearby?
    Community Answer
    You may need it to be replaced if you can't see any visible issues, such as cracks, causing the leakage. If not, it could be due to the leveling of the floor under the toilet.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-test-a-toilet-for-leaks/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSumtCvWjlM
      3. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-remove-a-toilet/
      4. ↑ https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-remove-a-toilet/
      5. ↑ https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-wax-ring.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae0TzEAzDZw

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