How to Replace a Toilet's Wax Ring

Water leaking from the base of your toilet may not be as big a problem as you think. Here's how to fix it yourself in about an hour.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Find the brand and model number of the toilet, if possible. This sometimes is stamped on the rim of the toilet near the tank or on the bottom side of the tank. If you can't find the information, proceed to step 3.

2. Take your information with you to a local hardware store or plumbing supply house to purchase a replacement wax ring.

3. Turn off the water to the toilet at the water supply shutoff. This is usually found on the wall or floor near the toilet. If there is no localized shutoff, use the main water shutoff for the structure.

4. Flush the toilet a couple of times to drain most of the water.

5. Disconnect the water supply tube from the bottom of the toilet, using a large pair of adjustable pliers. (Have a bucket and towels ready as some water may drain from the tank.)

6. Find the toilet mounting bolts on each side of the toilet base. These generally have decorative plastic or porcelain covers that can either be pulled off by hand or gently pried up with a flat screwdriver.

7. Remove the nuts using an appropriately sized wrench or an adjustable wrench.

8. Lift the toilet straight up off the mounting bolts and move it out of the way. (Toilets are fairly heavy. It might be a good idea to have a friend help with the moving.)

9. Examine the mounting ring on the floor. You should find a yellowish wax ring about 4 inches in diameter - some brands have a plastic base that will have model information on it.

10. Remove the ring and take it with you to purchase a replacement if you haven't already done so. Occasionally the ring will stick to the toilet base. If it does, tip the toilet over and pull the wax ring loose from the base. (Be ready with towels or rags.)

11. Place the new ring on the mounting ring on the floor. Set the toilet back on the mounting ring.

12. Seal the toilet onto the new ring. This is most easily accomplished by sitting on the toilet and very gently rocking in all directions. This will flatten and conform the wax to the base of the toilet.

13. Replace and tighten the mounting bolts and decorative caps.

14. Turn on the water and allow the toilet to fill. Flush and check for leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes you might find two wax rings stacked on top of each other. This is usually found in older homes where floors have been built up over time. Take both rings with you and purchase a ring that accommodates the added height. You will get a better seal and longer life out of the ring.
• If the toilet still leaks, the problem may be more serious (such as a cracked toilet or damaged mounting ring). These are problems probably best left to professionals.

[deco25]

on 7/12/2007 a bolt and nut that is frozen together and just spins around when you try to turn it...how can I fix this

[pjerwin]

on 6/23/2007 Caulking -- If you caulk around the base if the bowl, be sure to leave an open space @ the back so any leaks can be detected before causing too much damage.

[pjerwin]

on 6/23/2007 Odor Preventive -- Fill the hole with a rag to prevent bad odors from filling the room.

[jsutton]

on 2/18/2007 Nut frozen to bolt holding toilet to floor, bolt spins with the nut when turned. What's best way to remove nut?

Any plumbers out there?
We have a cracked toilet I need to replace. As luck would have it, one of the NUTs on the bolts fastening the toilet to the floor is frozen to the bolt AND the BOLT is just spinning with the NUT when turned.
I'd like advice on how to remove the NUT so I can remove and replace the toilet.
Secondarily, the BOLT spinning isn't good news either, what should I anticipate needs to be done there to secure or replace it.

[aredhel]

on 12/27/2006 leaking toilet couldn't wait for hubby to get home from work so i tackled the problem myself, finished the job in 45 minutes, and that included the trip to home depot! first turn off the water where the line comes in at the wall, usually under the tank. then flush a couple of times to empty the tank and the toilet. then get a scoop of some sort and a bucket and scoop out the remaining water from the toilet. now, if you unbolt the tank from the toilet, removing the toilet will be much easier. i placed the tank in the bathroom sink, then unbolted the toilet from the floor and placed the toilet, upside down, into the bathtub. remove the wax seal. the instructions on the seal i bought said to place it on the toilet then reinstall the toilet on the floor. bolt down carefully, you don't want to crack the toilet! replace the tank. fill with water. wait until the next day to caulk (just in case). caulk around the base and you're done! if you remove the tank first, then everything is much easier to handle.