Replacing a Toilet Wax Ring Seal

Your toilet will give signs when the wax ring that provides a seal between the toilet and the floor flange needs replacement. Water will leak from beneath the toilet when it is flushed, you will constantly notice sewer odors in the bathroom, or the toilet will rock back and forth. Anytime the toilet is removed--to replace flooring, for example--the wax ring must be replaced. It's a simple, straightforward task.

Things You'll Need

• 2 towels
• Toilet plunger
• Adjustable wrench
• Rags
• Putty knife
• 2 closet bolts

Instructions

1. Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Remove the lid to the toilet tank. Flush the toilet, holding down the flush lever to let out the most amount of water from the tank. Remove the remaining tank water with a towel. Push any remaining water from the bowl, using a toilet plunger.

2. Place a towel on the floor against the water and beneath the water shutoff valve. Unscrew the nut that connects the water supply hose to the shutoff valve, using an adjustable wrench. Loosen the nuts from the closet, or Johnny, bolts in the base of the toilet, using a wrench, and remove the nuts and washers.

3. Place a towel on the floor in the bathroom, if space permits. Place the towel on the floor in a nearby room, if necessary, in a spot where you can place the toilet. Squat over the toilet seat and grab the toilet at a flat spot behind the toilet seat, from underneath. Use both hands and lift the toilet, using your legs, not your back. Carefully carry the toilet and turn the toilet upside-down on top of the towel. The towel will absorb spills.

4. Scrape the old wax ring off the flange, using a putty knife. Remove the plastic funnel, if the old wax ring had a funnel attached to it. Wipe away any wax and sealant from the floor around the flange with a rag. Stuff a rag into the drain opening to prevent sewer gases from entering.

5. Scrape the old wax from the bottom of the toilet with the putty knife. Place the new wax ring on the toilet horn, which is the discharge outlet on the bottom of the toilet. Press the wax ring into place to prevent it from falling off when you lift the toilet.

6. Install two new closet bolts in the flange, slipping the bolt heads into the slots in the flange and positioning the bolts 6 inches apart, parallel to the wall behind the flange. Place two easy-to-see tools on the floor outside the flange and even with the bolts, to act as guides when placing the toilet back upon the flange. Remove the rag from the drain opening.

7. Lift the toilet and set the toilet down on the flange, making certain that the wax ring connects with the flange and the bolts pass through the mounting holes in the toilet base. Sit on the toilet seat and rock slightly back and forth, then slightly from side to side. Tug on the closet bolts to ensure they are still in place. Install the washers and nuts on the bolts, then tighten the bolts evenly, using a wrench. Snap the caps into place over the bolts.

8. Connect the water supply hose to the valve and tighten the nut, using a wrench. Turn on the water and check for any leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Tighten the packing nut, which is the nut around the stem behind the shutoff valve handle, when reconnecting the supply hose. This is a common site for leaks.

• Do not overtighten the nuts on the closet bolts or you may crack the porcelain base.

References

• HammerZone.com: Replacing a Toilet Wax Bowl Ring