What Is a Closet Flange Seal?
You're building or remodeling a bathroom, and want to make sure that when the toilet is flushed, no effluent leaks out between the toilet and the pipe. Cleaning up and replacing the seal on a improperly seated or a broken toilet is not a pleasant task, you have to wear long gloves and a respirator mask to deal with the environment created (see reference 3). Furthermore, a leaking toilet rusts out the flange bolts, and decays wood subflooring, both of which have to be replaced. A new closet flange seal, if installed correctly, will last for years, and provide a worry-free bathroom. Does this Spark an idea?
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Background
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The correct technical term for a toilet is "water closet," oftentimes referred to as a "closet". Underneath the closet is the outlet, which is a hole about 3 inches wide with a protruding lip. In the 1800s plumbers discovered that if they packed beeswax around this lip, the wax would seal tightly around the pipe and not allow leakage between the closet and the pipe (see reference 1and 2). Today the principle is the same, the closet outlet lip is sealed with a pliable wax ring, except that today's synthetic waxes are far more durable than beeswax.
Function
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The function of a closet flange seal is twofold: 1.) To tightly seal the connection between a closet and the pipe flange, which is mounted on the floor. 2.) To be a removable, non-permanent seal because all closets wear out eventually and have to be replaced. To date, the only material that can satisfy both requirements is pliable wax.
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Types
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Wax rings do the job. There are two basic types: a simple wax doughnut with no inserts or a wax ring with an insert. The latter type has a hard plastic insert, which will allow easier placement for the closet, because the insert provides a guide to follow when placing the closet on the flange. Both types work equally well when placed and seated correctly and are readily available at most home-improvement stores.
Misconceptions
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Some misconceptions is because it is made of soft pliable wax, it does not seal correctly, nor is it durable. Both are incorrect. With today's modern synthetic waxes, the sealing capabilities are airtight and sound. Furthermore, wax rings usually outlast the closet itself.
Warning on Installation
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This is a task requiring precision. You only have one chance to line up the closet squarely with the floor flange. Wiggling the closet around during installation will rupture the ring, undermining the sealing effect. If you are uncomfortable doing the actual installation, then it is best to refer this job to a qualified plumber. It requires a certain "touch" that can only be developed with years of experience.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com sealing wax image by TAlex from Fotolia.com
