What Type of Wax Ring Should I Use
10 min read • March 1st, 2024
10 min read • March 1st, 2024
Embarking on DIY plumbing projects often presents a myriad of technical decisions, not least of which involves choosing the right wax ring for your toilet. This essential, yet often overlooked component, is vital for creating a water-tight seal between your toilet and the bathroom floor, effectively preventing leaks that can lead to extensive water damage. In our detailed guide, Ike from Eddie Helps offers expert advice on “what type of wax ring should I use,” exploring the various options available and their specific applications. Whether you’re fitting a brand new toilet or swapping out an old wax ring, a solid understanding of the types and functions of wax rings is key to ensuring a secure, leak-free installation.
Watch our step-by-step video for visual guidance, or keep reading to discover what type of toilet wax ring you might want to use.
At the heart of a secure and leak-free toilet installation lies the seemingly insignificant, messy wax ring. Its purpose is straightforward and yet crucial: to create a watertight seal between the bottom of your toilet and the plumbing flange on the floor. While the flange serves to anchor the toilet in place, without a wax ring, water could easily escape with every flush. The pliable wax ring molds to fit the contours of both the toilet outlet and the flange, filling any gaps that could allow water to seep through. At the end of the day the type of wax ring you need is a wax ring that ensures that when you flush, water and waste go down the drain, not onto your bathroom floor. Not every type of toilet wax ring may be appropriate for every application. So what are the types of toilet wax rings?
Selecting the right wax ring for your toilet installation is more than a matter of preference; it’s about ensuring a leak-free seal tailored to your bathroom’s specific setup. Generally, you’ll encounter four main types of wax rings at your local hardware store:
It’s crucial to assess your bathroom’s specific situation before making a selection to ensure a lasting, leak-free installation. Let’s look at various bathroom scenarios and walk through how you might answer the question “What type of wax ring should I use?”
Identifying the position of your toilet flange is a pivotal step before choosing the appropriate wax ring. When the flange is positioned on top of the bathroom floor, you’re presented with what many consider the ideal setup for a wax ring installation.
In such cases, a regular wax ring suffices to create an effective seal. The process involves placing the wax ring directly onto the flange, ensuring it’s centered and pressed down to mold precisely to the flange’s shape. This action not only secures the ring in place but also preps it for a robust seal once the toilet is installed.
It’s worth noting that not all installations will have the flange on top of the floor. Variations in flooring height due to remodeling or different construction standards can result in flanges that are level with or seemingly recessed beneath the floor surface. Each scenario requires a different approach and possibly a different type of wax ring to ensure a leak-free installation. So what about these other scenarios?
Encountering a toilet flange that’s level with the floor is another common scenario, particularly in homes where the flooring has been updated or layered over time. This situation can complicate the sealing process since the standard wax ring might not offer sufficient height to create a tight seal between the toilet base and the flange.
For flanges that are flush with the floor, opting for a jumbo wax ring is a practical solution. The jumbo wax ring is thicker than its standard counterpart, compensating for the lack of elevation and ensuring the toilet sits snugly against the flange. It’s essential to mold the jumbo wax ring to the flange carefully, pressing it down to adhere closely to the flange’s contours, which is crucial for maintaining a leak-free seal.
When multiple layers of flooring have been added over time, the floor’s surface can end up sitting above the flange. Does this matter when it comes to the type of wax ring you choose? Absolutely! A standard or even a jumbo wax ring alone probably will not suffice due to the significant gap created between the toilet base and the flange. So what should you do?
A toilet flange that sits below the level of the flooring presents a unique challenge. The proper way to handle this situation is to pause your toilet repair or replacement and address the plumbing connection, mounting a new flange that again sits on top of the floor (as referenced above) or at the very least, even with the floor. The reality is however, you may not have the time or the resources to adjust the flange height.
In such cases, a creative approach is needed. Combining a standard wax ring on top of a jumbo wax ring can provide the additional height necessary to bridge the gap between the toilet base and the flange. This “stacking” method, while not a recommended long-term fix can be a temporary fix, ensuring a seal is formed when the toilet is set. If you choose this method, please carefully mold and place the stacked wax ring, as excess wax can easily squish into the center flange opening when setting your toilet, if you have not carefully accounted for how the excess wax will compress. Note that excess wax overhanging the flange opening can potentially cause toilet paper blockages.
Though effective in a pinch, the “stacking” method not only can lead to blockages but can also result in a less-than-secure toilet base. Afterall, you will be relying on a pile of wax to compensate for the gap between the flange and the toilet. In other words, because your toilet is not directly sitting on the flange at all, you can end up with wobbly toilet.
All this to say, if you’re faced with a flange beneath the floor level, consult with a trusted local plumber to explore permanent solutions, such as flange extenders or replacement, to ensure a long-lasting and leak-free toilet installation.
Dealing with an old cast-iron flange presents a unique set of challenges, especially in homes built before the 1970s. These flanges are often larger and don’t accommodate standard wax rings well, leading to installation difficulties. DIY’ers typically don’t realize that setting a toilet on a standard wax ring to seal a cast-iron flange can easily cause the wax to fold into the middle of the often-oversized flange, effectively making a proper seal impossible.
So what’s the solution to address old cast-iron flanges?
Depending on the position of the flange in relation to the finished floor (do not skip over reading this section above), you have two options: 1) combine a regular and a jumbo wax ring or 2) opt for the use of a reinforced wax ring.
Method 1: combining a regular and a jumbo wax ring:
Method 2: use a reinforced wax ring
Another method that some people use when trying to decide how to seal an old cast-iron flange, is to utilize a reinforced wax ring. More on that in a minute (keep reading). Just know that it should go without saying that when in doubt, always consult with a professional plumber.
Reinforced wax rings, characterized by their plastic funnel or bell embedded within the wax, offer a different approach to sealing toilets. These rings are designed to provide additional support and alignment when installing the toilet onto the flange.
Reinforced wax rings vs regular is a topic that often generates debate among DIYers and professionals alike. Here’s a breakdown of their advantages and disadvantages:
Pros:
Cons:
So what type of wax ring should you choose? Many professional plumbers avoid reinforced wax rings because they can make future service calls (i.e. clearing clogged toilets) a difficult task without damaging the wax seal. That said, the choice between using a reinforced wax ring versus a traditional one largely depends on the specific installation scenario and personal preference. For large flange openings, especially in older homes with cast-iron flanges, reinforced wax rings can offer a solution. However, for standard installations, the potential drawbacks might outweigh the benefits. Understanding when to use a reinforced wax ring and recognizing the signs that it’s time to replace a wax ring are crucial for maintaining a leak-free toilet.
Here are the scenarios indicating it’s time for a replacement:
No, wax rings come in standard and jumbo sizes, with or without reinforcement. The size and type you need depend on the height of the toilet flange in relation to the floor.
Aggressive plunging can potentially impact a wax ring, leading to leaks. If you find yourself frequently needing to plunge the toilet, it’s better to address the underlying issue causing the clogs.
Using two wax rings might be necessary if the flange is set below the level of the flooring, requiring extra height to ensure a proper seal. This method does work as a quick-fix but is usually not the best long-term solution. The use of two wax rings should be done cautiously to avoid creating blockages or other issues.
Reusing a toilet wax ring is not recommended. Once a wax ring has been compressed, its ability to form a proper seal is compromised, which could lead to leaks and potential water damage.
Since selecting the right wax ring is crucial for ensuring a leak-free toilet installation, certain situations may call for professional expertise. Our team is here to help whether you need us to explain the types of toilet wax rings or you’ve encountered challenges beyond the scope of DIY fixes and you live in the greater Baltimore-D.C. metropolitan area.
Our Howard County plumbing team is equipped to handle any of your plumbing needs. Need our plumbers in Anne Arundel County? We’re ready to assist you! Live in Baltimore County? Our expert plumbers in Baltimore are here for top-notch assistance. Closer to Washington, D.C.? Our Rockville plumbers have you covered.