How to Replace a Wax Ring & Assembly on a Toilet
Replacing a wax ring is moderately easy to do with all the right tools and materials. The cause of replacing a wax ring most often results from chronic dampness settling around the toilet's base, weakening the adhesiveness of the wax ring which is needed to secure the toilet down to the floor. Foul odors and chronic water leaks can also become a persistent problem when the wax ring needs to be replaced. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Rubber gloves
- New wax ring
- Wrench
- Pliers
- Toilet truck
- Putty knife
- WD-40
- Cleaning solution
- Silicone caulk
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Instructions
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Protect your hands with rubber gloves before working with the wax ring. Put the room temperature at 70 degrees Fahrenheit to allow the wax ring to be flexible enough for removal.
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Shut down water supply and remove nut that is connected to the water supply line to stop valve. Flush toilet once to empty water in tank and bowl.
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Dismount the toilet from floor. Use a wrench and pliers to remove the tight nuts and bolts that secure the toilet down. Add pressure to the toilet by sitting on it, rocking back and forth to break the seal from its base. If the toilet is too heavy to lift, use a toilet truck to help lift the toilet off the ground.
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4
Scrape away the seal in the ring with a putty knife once the toilet has been dismounted and removed. Spray WD-40 on the wax ring to help it better loosen up the waxy buildup, making the waxy substance easier to remove. Clean the wax ring area with water and mild soap to remove WD-40 residue.
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Replace the old ring seal with a new one, attaching it to the toilet's discharge outlet. Press the ring firmly in place by adding pressure to it with your weight. Assemble the toilet back together by installing new bolts (the long screws) in the flange--the two hole areas on the floor that attach the toilet to the floor--carefully positioning the toilet to set on flange bolts. Add pressure to the toilet by sitting on the seat for a few seconds, securing the base into the wax ring.
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Top the flange with a cap once toilet is secure and reconnect water supply. Use a silicone caulk between the toilet and the floor to keep the toilet from moving.
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References
- Photo Credit disables bathroom image by Wolszczak from Fotolia.com
