Behind every good toilet — or rather, beneath — is a good wax ring. But with time, even good wax rings can go bad.
The wax ring is exactly what it sounds like: a ring made of sticky wax that helps form a watertight seal between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer pipe. It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble and fail prematurely, and when that happens, they need to be replaced.
The telltale sign of wax ring failure is water leaking out from around the base of the toilet. You might also notice a toilet feeling unusually wobbly if the wax ring is coming loose.
Wax rings are available at most hardware stores for $10 or less. To perform the replacement, you’ll only need a few common tools: an adjustable wrench, a putty knife, a bucket and some towels or paper towels. If you have a dry shop vacuum, that will make the job cleaner and easier.
If you feel in over your head at any point, or if you discover damage to your flange or toilet, give a call to Clear Drain Plumbing for expert emergency service!
