How to Replace a Wax Bowl Ring
Whether installing a new toilet for a bathroom upgrade or replacing the toilet fixture after a plumbing repair, proper installation of the toilet mandates replacing the old wax bowl ring with a new one.
There are two types of wax bowl rings available at most hardware, plumbing or home improvement stores. The first type is a simple wax ring that is appropriate for most common toilet installations. The second is a bell-fitting wax ring, used where the toilet flange is below the level of the floor surface, and has a fluted plastic fitting that extends slightly into the sewer line to prevent leakage.
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Instructions
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1
Turn off the water supply to the toilet by turning the wall valve to the right until snug. Flush the toilet to drain the tank.
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2
Use a small crescent wrench to loosen and remove the nuts on the floor bolts.
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3
Disconnect the water line to the toilet tank with the crescent wrench, either at the wall valve or at the base of the toilet tank.
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4
Lift the toilet up to remove it from the sewer flange and existing wax ring. The toilet can be gently rocked from side to side to loosen it from the wax ring.
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5
Tip the toilet on its side to access the underside of the base and use a putty knife to remove any of the old wax bowl ring that has adhered to the toilet base.
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6
Stuff a piece of cloth rag into the sewer drain hole to prevent any wax or debris from going down the drain. Use a putty knife to remove all of the old wax bowl ring from the floor flange.
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7
Unwrap the new wax bowl ring and place it on the floor flange, flat-side down and centered. Make certain the flange bolts are positioned parallel with the rear wall. Remove the cloth rag from the floor drain hole.
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8
Lift the toilet over the floor drain and lower straight down onto the wax bowl ring, making certain the flange bolts extend through the holes on either side of the toilet base. Rock slightly while pressing down until the toilet base rests flat on the floor surface.
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9
Replace the flange bolt’s washers and nuts. Tighten only until snug. Overtightening of the nuts can crack the toilet base.
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10
Reconnect the water supply line to the toilet. Turn the wall valve on and allow the toilet tank to fill, while checking the water line connections for leaks.
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Tips & Warnings
Add a couple layers of Teflon pipe tape to the water line threads before reconnecting the toilet water line to improve the prevention of leaks.
Do not over tighten of the flange nuts when securing the toilet in place as it can crack the toilet base.
