How to Replace a Wax Ring on a Toilet Bowl

The wax ring that fits underneath a toilet provides a seal with the drain pipe, preventing leaks and sewer odors from entering the house. If your toilet is moved from its original position on the floor, that seal likely is broken, requiring a replacement. Signs of a faulty ring are when the toilet rocks back and forth like a rocking chair, water leaks from the base of the toilet after it is flushed, or you constantly notice sewer odors in the bathroom.

Things You'll Need

• 2 towels
• Plunger
• Adjustable wrench
• Rags
• Putty knife
• 2 closet flange bolts

Instructions

1. Shut off the water supply to the toilet by turning the shutoff valve completely to the right. Flush the toilet, holding down the handle to allow as much water as possible to drain. Remove the tank lid and absorb any remaining water from the tank with a towel. Push any remaining water from the bowl with a plunger.

2. Place the towel on the floor beneath the tank, where the water supply line connects to the tank. Remove the water supply line from the bottom of the tank, using an adjustable wrench. Remove the bolt caps in the base of the toilet and remove the nuts off the bolts, using the adjustable wrench.

3. Place a towel on the floor near the toilet. Straddle the toilet bowl and lift the toilet, placing both hands on the flat area behind and beneath the seat. Lift with your legs and not your back. Place the toilet upside-down on the towel. Place a rag into the open flange to prevent sewer gases from entering the room.

4. Scrape the old wax ring off the flange, using a small putty knife. Scrape the remaining wax from the bottom of the toilet. Wipe clean any water and debris from the floor around the flange with a rag. Place the replacement wax ring onto the toilet horn, or discharge outlet on the bottom of the bowl, and press it into place.

5. Remove the closet bolts from the flange and install two new bolts. Install the heads of the bolts into the slots in the flange and position the bolts approximately six inches apart and parallel to the wall behind the flange.

6. Turn the toilet upright and lift the toilet, placing it down onto the flange. Make certain that the wax ring connects with the flange and the closet bolts pass through the mounting holes in the bottom of the bowl. Sit on the toilet and gently rock back and forth, using your body weight to squash the wax ring underneath. Install the washers and nuts to the closet bolts. Tighten each nut evenly, using the adjustable wrench. Do not overtighten and damage the bowl. Snap the bolt caps into place.

7. Connect the water supply hose to the threaded bottom of the fill valve that sticks from the bottom of the tank. Hand-tighten the connecting nut and, using the wrench, tighten 1/2 turn past hand-tight. Turn on the water supply and check for leaks around the toilet. Place the lid on the tank.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a hacksaw to cut the nuts on the closet bolts that anchor the toilet if you are unable to remove the nuts with a wrench.

References

• HammerZone.com: Replacing a Wax Bowl Ring Under a Toilet