How To Replace the Wax Ring on Your Toilet?

Do you see water leakage from the bottom portion of the toilet? If yes, you may need to replace the wax ring on your toilet. The step-by-step guide below on how to replace the wax ring on a toilet will help you to understand what is involved in this process.

If you do not have the time or experience to handle this plumbing issue, you should seriously consider contacting a professional plumber. No one else knows how to fix the problems related to toilets better than an experienced plumber. They can also help you detect other potential plumbing problems you may not know about, such as running toilets, leaky pipes, clogged drains, and dripping faucets. Here are the steps involved in replacing the wax ring on a toilet: 

1 – Draining The Toilet Tank:

The first step in this process is to drain the toilet tank. For this, you first have to shut off the water supply. Empty the toilet tank by flushing it. You can also consider using a wet/dry vacuum to suck up the remaining water. Otherwise, you might have to use a towel to dry the tank properly. Do not forget to disconnect the water supply from the toilet tank’s bottom. Place a bucket underneath the tank to prevent the water from leaking out on the floor.

2 – Detaching The Toilet:

Start by spreading a cloth on the floor where you will keep the toilet after removing it. To detach the toilet seat, unscrew all the bolts and washers. After this, only the gravity and the remaining wax are left to keep the toilet in place. By twisting the toilet a little, you can loosen it up. 

3 – Scraping The Old Wax:

Now comes the most difficult part of this process. It involves removing all the old wax from the bottom portion of the toilet. Make sure that the toilet flange is cleaned and dried out properly. If the flange appears broken or damaged during the process, you might have to contact your plumber to get this fixed. 

4 – Installing The New Wax Ring:

Before installing the new wax ring on the toilet, you need to read the instructions, as wax rings vary from brand to brand. You can either fix the wax ring on top of the toilet flange or at the bottom portion of the toilet. Choose the method you are most comfortable with. Ensure that the holes present in the baseline of the toilet align with the flange’s holes for proper fitting.

5 – Wait For Some Time To Let It Dry:

Once the toilet seat gets fitted after replacing the wax ring, let it dry for some time. The best thing you can do is use your body weight to compress the wax ring. This will also help in fitting the toilet in the right place. However, you might have to keep shifting your weight multiple times to finish this procedure. After this whole thing is done, mount the bolts and washers in their place. Turn the water back on.

Let the toilet tank fill with water and test your flush. If there are no signs of any water leakage, you can sit back and relax because you have replaced the wax ring on the toilet correctly. 

To Sum Up

Now you know the basics of how to replace the wax ring on a toilet. The entire process can be a little disgusting; therefore, it is suggested to wear nitrile gloves and a mask while doing it. If you want to increase its lifespan, you have to focus on doing quality work. Make sure you handle the toilet carefully to avoid any damage. You can also watch videos online to make this entire procedure easier. However, if you’re still uncomfortable with doing this project on your own then it is probably best to hire a professional plumber to do the job for you.

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