Resetting toilet wax seal

Hi Connie.

Hoping I'm visualizing this properly. The stand pipe under the house is generally pointing upward and has a flange on it. The toilet will have an indent on the bottom that is somewhat larger that the flange diameter. Then there will be a wax ring that is seated around the neck of the flange right before the toilet is placed down on top of it. The general process is that a new wax ring is placed, the toilet is lifted and, as carefully as possible, lowered straight down over the floor bolts. Once it makes contact on the floor, the toilet is gently rotated a small bit clockwise and counterclockwise to make sure that there is a good solid contact with the wax. The toilet is set square to the wall and, hopefully, with the floor bolts centered on the slots. Someone sits down carefully on the toilet to put pressure on the wax and seal it (this should not be done on a cold day, as the wax may not flow, and may even crack and leave a gap).

From what I saw you write, my questions would be whether the wax gasket was installed. if not, pull the toilet, obtain a gasket, and try again. if one was installed, were the remains of the old gasket thoroughly cleaned away from flange and toilet bottom? if not, the old wax may have cause uneven flow/sealing with the new ring (too much wax in the space).

You can also check that the leak isn't coming from higher up, like at the join from bowl to tank. If it's leaking there, depending on your toilet model, it might leak once the flapper is lifted in the tank, flow down the back outside of the toilet, and down under the house. In that case, it could be a bad seal, or the tank-to-toilet bolts not having been tightened.

Hoping this gives you some ideas

D

Then the wax seal was put on wrong. If the toilet rocks it will ruin the seal. once the wax is squeezed it can't be moved. Sometimes the wrong thickness of wax was chosen. If a new floor was put down the flange may have required a booster kit before putting the seal on

Most wax rings are standard size. You should pull your toilet off again and scrape off all the old wax. If your toilet flange is below floor level, you may have to use two wax rings, one on top of the other. You can buy rings of different thicknesses, but standard rings should work. When you've placed the rings, place the toilet back on the flange bolts and push down HARD wiggling side to side. When you've got it down as far as you can go, sit on the bowl and wiggle side to side. Repeat this process until the toilet is sitting flush with the floor. NO PENNIES!
or
http://www.homedepot.com/Bath-Toilets-Toilet-Parts-Repair-Wax-Rings/h_d1/N-5yc1vZbl71/R-100139961/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Hello, W/D here. I always use the wax ring that has the plastic horn molded into it. Rarely, I will place another regular gasket on top of it if the closet flange sits too far above the floor or is cocked. The key to a good seal of a wax ring is to install it properly, and set it several times. What I do is tighten the bolts that bolt the toilet to the flange, and then sit on the seat, putting as much weight as I can on the bowl, and even wiggling a bit. The toilet settles, and I tighten the bolts (carefully) a bit more. I continue to do this several times until the toilet is settled well onto the closet flange and is secure. You have to take your time with this, and be very careful not to over tighten at any one time. You can break the closet flange or at worst, crack the porcelain bowl flange.
Best regards, --W/D--

don't think you r going to get 2 toilet with same problem. I would think you have a broken floor flange instead. rubber seals are great as long as the floor is level and smooth where as the wax seals tend to fill in areas that are not quite level. hope you can get this thing figured out. Toto are great toilets and it would be a shame not want to use it.

See if nuts on studs on bottom where it mounts to the floor & flange are loose. If they are loose tighten both of them evenly. If they are tight you will need to replace wax ring that is between toilet & floor.Turn off shutoff water valve to toilet. Flush once holding down handle to let tank drain. Remove both nuts & lift toilet off flange. Remove wax ring. Scrape all old wax off toilet & floor flange. Install new wax ring. Set down toilet on ring & snug nuts evenly. Sit on seat & apply your weight evenly to distribute wax & level. Retighten nuts. Turn water back on. Allow tank to refill. Flush toilet & check for leaks.

1 - Check bolts and washer from the tank to bowl for a leak.It can leak and run down the bowl and pool around bottom of bowl. It will run down the back and under toilet and come out from under bowl in front.

2 - Does the flange sit below floor level some wax ring's differ in size. May take a wax ring with a horn to in the flange, You may try 2 wax rings stacked or get a jumbo size one to get a better seal.

3-Check water line and for possible crack in toilet some where a last resort. Was the flange secure and in good shape, inspect it for a possible crack.

If you tried regular sized wax rings and they failed to seal, try using a double thickness wax ring, maybe the space between the floor flange and the toilet exceeds a regular wax ring size. If the floor has been re-tiled and the floor flange was not adjusted this could be your problem, anyhow good luck!

I believe that I qualify... over 300 toilets installed in the past 15 months!!

I would go with the wax rings... but I would press the ring into the base of the toilet before installing the toilet....that way you are sure to have a good seal to the toilet....

If you actually read the directions, the manufacturer will tell you to press the wax ring onto the toilet....then install it onto the floor drain.
I guess that a PLAIN wax ring placed on the floor drain (since it is recessed) before placing the rubber-sleeve equipped ringed toiled is a good safety measure... I have done that an it work about 37 times out of 40.

Good question - BTW.. and well worded. THANKS for being specific and precise!!

It's not terribly complicated, assuming that by "install a new toilet" you mean where there was alredy an existing toilet. First, remove the old toilet. Shut off the water supply valve, and flush the toilet. Then use a spone to get rid of the water that remains in the tank. Remove the nuts on the two bolts at the base of the toilet where the toilet meets the floor. These are usually hidden under two plastic caps. Now gently rock the toilet until it comes away from the floor. Get help to carry it out. Clean up the old wax that's around the flange where the pipe disappears into the floor. Don't be a wuss, it's only wax. Now you'll need the new toilet, a new supply line, new mounting bolts (don't reuse the old ones) and a two wax rings. Yes, I said two wax rings. You'll see why in a minute. Assemble the new toilet according to the instructions provided. Now here's a warning: Do NOT overtighten the bolts the hod the tank to the bowl. You're dealing with ceramics here, don't break them. Now, put the new hold-down bolts in place on the flange. Read the insturctions that came with the toilet, but you have to do this NOW. Now you'll need a helper. With the toilet upsided down, unwrap a wax ring. Make sure it's room temprature or it won't seal. Press the wax ring around the outlet flange on the base of the toilet. Now you and your helper carefully turn the toilet over without crushing the wax ring. Lift the toilet and slowly lowe it so the wax ring is centered over the "flange" which is where the sewer pipe goes into the foor. Then press the toilet firmly in place. Now if you're like most people, you screwed up here and crushed the wax ring without being centered on the flange. That's why I told you to buy two. Now you know what not to do, scrape off the first one and start again. When you've got the toilet sealed on the flange, connect and tighten the nuts on the bolts. Now you may have to use a hacksaw to cut off the remaining ends of the bolts so you can get the neat little plastic caps to fit. Now connect the water supply line. Now's where you start praying. Turn on the water and let the tank fill. Check the supply line for leaks. Fix as necessary. Now flush. Is water running out from around the base of the toilet? No? Good, you got a good seal. Yes? Very bad. Time to go back to the home center for yet another wax ring. Repeat the sealing process and get a good seal this time.