How to Change a Toilet Wax Ring

If your toilet rocks when you sit on it, you may need to replace the wax sealing ring. Water or sewage odors on the floor near the base of the toilet are also an indication that you need to replace the wax ring. While this is not a difficult job for the do-it-yourself homeowner, you may need a helper to assist in lifting the heavy toilet off the floor, and also to help guide you as you reseat the toilet on the new wax sealing ring.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Rubber gloves
• Wax sealing ring for toilet
• Old rags
• Rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits

1. Turn off the water supply to toilet. The shut-off valve is usually located on the wall under the toilet tank or behind the toilet bowl.

2. Empty the water from the toilet tank and bowl. Flush the toilet, then dump a bucket of water into bowl to flush out remaining water. Sop up any remaining water with an old towel.

3. Disconnect the water supply line. Use a wrench to loosen the bolt on the water supply line that comes into the toilet tank from the shut-off valve. This is usually located on the bottom of the toilet tank.

4. Remove the bolts at the base of the toilet that hold it down to the floor. If they are stuck, try using a little WD-40 to loosen them. If they still won't budge, cut them off with a hack saw. Do not try to break them with a hammer; it is likely you'll break the toilet instead.

5. Lift the toilet up and place it upside down on floor. You may need assistance for this if you have a bad back, as toilets are very heavy.

6. Remove the old wax ring. You'll find this surrounding the opening where the underside of the toilet was connected to the floor. These are extremely sticky; wear rubber or latex gloves, or immediately wash your hands after touching it.

7. Clean the wax residue from the toilet and floor. Use mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol on an old rag and completely remove all traces of wax.

8. Place the new wax ring on the toilet flange on the floor or on the underside of the toilet (where you removed the old one). This will be even stickier than the old one, so make sure you position it correctly before letting it come in contact with the toilet or floor flange.

9. Slowly reseat the toilet onto the toilet flange. Take pains to set the toilet down so it is level. If you have to remove the toilet, the wax ring will be spoiled and you'll need to start again with another new wax ring. Have a helper guide the base of the toilet so the anchor bolts push through their corresponding holes in the toilet base.

10. Replace the anchor bolts. Hand tighten and then gently tighten with a wrench. Do not over tighten; you will crack the toilet.

11. Reconnect the water supply line. Reattach the water supply line bolt to the intake valve located under the tank.

12. Turn on the water supply to toilet. After the tank fills up, flush toilet and inspect the floor around it for leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• If your toilet still rocks after reseating it on the new wax ring, use shims to level it before reconnecting the anchor bolts.