How to Replace the Wax Ring on a Toilet Stool
When you flush a toilet, it sends the water down through a floor drain under the toilet base. The edge of the drain is sealed by a thick wax ring around the perimeter of the drain. Over time, the ring can deteriorate, allowing sewer gas to escape into the room. Replacing the wax ring involves pulling the toilet, removing the old ring, and setting a new one in its place. Wax rings are available at your local hardware store. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Large, absorbent sponge
- Plastic putty knife
- Old towels
- Newspapers
- Replacement wax ring
- Small level
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Instructions
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Turn off the water supply line to the toilet by turning the spigot at the wall fully clockwise. Flush the toilet repeatedly to empty it of water. Use a sponge to remove any residual water, from the bowl and from the inside of the water closet. Use your adjustable wrench to disconnect the water line.
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Lay a bunch of old towels in front of the toilet. Spread out newspapers nearby. Remove the lid to the toilet's water closet.
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Use your adjustable wrench to remove the two mounting bolts on either side of the toilet base. Lift the toilet straight up, off the floor. The two screw treads should remain on the two sides of the flange on the open hole on the floor, pointing straight up out of it.
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Set the toilet on the towels. Lean it all the way forward, so you can access the wax ring underneath. Use your plastic putty knife remove the ring, running the putty knife under the ring and against the toilet. Drop the ring onto some newspapers and wrap it up for disposal.
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Set your new ring in place in the same position as the old ring was. Don't smash it in there, just set it so it sticks. (The weight of the toilet will seal it during re-installation.)
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Hold the toilet over the floor drain. Line up the two screw treads that are sticking up out of the floor with the holes on either side of the toilet base. Lower the toilet over the screws.
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Lay a level over the top of the toilet. Press the toilet down to the floor, smashing the new wax ring underneath. Apply downward pressure around the rim of the toilet, until it's level.
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Tighten the mounting bolts over the screws, taking care not to over tighten them. Re-connect the water line and turn on the water supply.
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Tips & Warnings
It's possible for a reasonably strong person to remove and re-install the toilet alone, but it's a good idea to have a helper.
