How to Seal a Toilet

To seal a toilet, you just need to replace the wax ring underneath the toilet where the toilet floor drain and toilet drain come together. For less than ten dollars, you can replace a wax ring yourself.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable wrench or pliers
• Small putty knife or butter knife
• Rubber gloves, like a doctor uses
• Old towels
• Set of wrenches is a better option, but not crucial

1. 
   Supply Line and Shut Off Valve

   Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Look at the end of the water supply line coming out of the bottom left hand side of the toilet. Where the supply line from the toilet meets joins the pipe coming from the wall, there should be a knob. Turn the knob to the right to shut off the water flow to the toilet.

2. Disconnect the water supply line to the commode. First flush the toilet to remove as much water as possible. It is usually easiest to disconnect it at the end by the shut off valve. Use pliers or a wrench to break the nut loose and then you can use your hand to turn it from there. Put an old towel or small bucket under the valve to catch any loose water that drains out.

3. 
   Flange Bolt Cover

   Remove the toilet. Pop up the two flange nut covers located on the bottom of the toilet (one on each side). Use pliers or a wrench to remove the nuts and washers. Have an old towel on the floor near the toilet. Once the nuts are removed, lift the toilet up and place it on the old towel. The bottom of the toilet will have parts of the old wax ring on it, so don't just set it directly on the floor.

4. 
   Putty knife (courtesy homedepot.com)

   Remove the old wax ring from the floor using the putty knife (or butter knife if you must). Be sure to wear the gloves here as this is by far the messiest part. You don't have to get it all up, but don't leave much behind. Cleaner is better. Now tilt the toilet to one side - it helps to have a partner - and clean the wax ring off the bottom of the commode.

5. 
   Wax Ring (courtesy homedepot.com)

   Place the new wax ring on the floor around the floor drain opening. Note that the wax ring will sit on top of the plastic drain flange. Make sure the wax ring doesn't cover part of the drain opening.

6. Replace the toilet. Place the toilet over the wax ring using the flange bolts as a guide. Once the toilet is in place, replace the flange nuts and washers and tighten down. Reconnect the water supply line and turn on water. Flush toilet to check for leaks. Enjoy the money you saved by doing this yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• You may need to use a little force to separate the toilet from the wax ring bond to the floor. Try rocking it back and forth.
• Once the toilet is back in place, try sitting on it to help bond it to the wax ring and floor.
• Opt for a more expensive wax ring and get one that comes complete with new flange bolts and nuts plus has a built in flange to make installation easier.