How to Replace a Toilet Wax Seal

The wax rings under the toilet are very important. If you are seeing a leak under your toilet when it is flushed or getting a bad odor in your bathroom, chances are you need to replace the wax ring. If your toilet is rocking, then the seal will need to be replaced for sure. The ring is there to block the sewer gases from coming up around the toilet and into your room. Any shift in the toilet itself, can cause the ring to lose its seal and become useless. This is not a hard project but you may need some help lifting the toilet and turning it over. You can complete this project within an hour.

Things You'll Need

• Wax Seal
• 2 Johnny Bolts
• Plunger
• Wrench
• Putty knife
• Rags
• Hack saw
• WD-40

Instructions

1. Turn off the water to the toilet at the valves behind the toilet. Then flush the toilet and hold down the lever to let out most of the water. A plunger will remove the rest of the water.

2. Unscrew the nut that holds on the flexible water line to the valve with a wrench. Have a rag handy because there will be a little water in the line that will spill out when you disconnect it.

3. Remove the nut on the Johnny bolt or hold down bolt. Sometimes these nuts get corroded and cannot be removed with a wrench. You can use an oil type releaser but if that doesn't work you may need to cut the bolt off with a hack saw just under the nut.

4. Pick up the toilet and lay it down on a mat, upside down, to reveal the old wax ring.

5. Scrape the old wax ring and any other debris from the bottom of the toilet with a thin putty knife. Once you scrape off as much as possible wipe it down with WD-40 and a damp rag. Do the same to the flange in the floor.

6. Place the new wax ring on the discharge outlet. Press it in tight or it will fall out when you turn it over to reinstall it.

7. Install the new bolts into the flange. There are slots to put them in and plastic holders that go on top of the flange over the bolts to hold them in place while you put the toilet back on.

8. Place the toilet back over the drain and the bolts. Be careful not to put the toilet down anywhere else or you will damage the new ring. It's easier if you have someone guiding you over the bolts. Once you have it in place, put some weight on the toilet to push the ring into place.

9. Place the white plastic guard, washer and nut over the bolt and tighten the nut. Tighten the nuts evenly on each side by going back and forth. Do not over tighten or you can break the porcelain.

10. Use a hack saw and cut the bolts down far enough to fit under the cap. Install the cap and reconnect your water lines. Turn the water valve back on and let the toilet fill with water.