And one of the most common causes for this kind of toilet trouble has to do with a little, unsuspecting part called a wax O-ring, or wax seal. This seal is usually a “set it and forget it” kind of part because they generally last anywhere from 20 to 30 years with good care. But sometimes, a wax toilet seal needs to be replaced.
Continue reading to learn the most common scenarios in which a toilet wax ring replacement would be necessary.
Toilet Connections
Your toilet is fixed to a closet flange, which is essentially the part that connects the bottom of the toilet to the drainpipe under your bathroom floor. In between the closet flange and the toilet is where you will find the wax O-ring. The purpose of this seal is very important: it prevents water from leaking as it travels down to the drainpipe. Not only does it prevent water leaks, it prevents putrid sewer gases from leaking out as well. And as mentioned, wax toilet seals can last 2 or 3 decades with proper maintenance and care, but sometimes they need replaced beforehand.
When to Replace Wax Toilet Rings:
🚽 Leakage Issues – If your toilet is experiencing water leaks at its base, especially after flushing, or you notice a lingering foul odor in your bathroom, it could be due to a defective or deteriorated wax seal. In this case, you would need a licensed plumber to inspect your toilet and plumbing to determine the root cause, and to then replace the toilet seal if it is the actual problem. This requires removing the toilet, is it is not a task that is recommended to do on your own.
🚽 Toilet Replacement – If you are replacing an old toilet with a new one, you will also need to have the toilet seal replaced. In fact, anytime a toilet must be lifted, the seal should be replaced too. This could happen for clogged drain repair, water leak inspection, toilet installation, and more. Old wax rings cannot be used when replacing or installing a toilet.
Toilet Plumbing Care
Be sure to have your toilet plumbing inspected and addressed as soon as you notice a difference in performance. By staying current with all your plumbing maintenance, you can avoid costly repair bills and unexpected disasters.