Toilet Wax Ring 101

In this blog post, you’ll read:A high-quality wax ring is essential for maintaining a leak-proof seal between your toilet and the floor. It prevents water damage, odors, and mold growth by sealing gaps and keeping your bathroom dry. Choosing the right wax ring ensures stability, durability, and long-lasting protection, making it a crucial component for any bathroom plumbing system.
Table of Contents

If the floor in your bathroom stays damp for a long time, it will become spongy. The toilet will start to rock, the bathroom will begin to smell like a sewer, and mold will begin to rise. The solution to this problem is a Wax Ring.

Wax rings cover the gap between the floor-mounted waste pipe and the bottom of the toilet. Each toilet has a wax ring, sometimes denoted as a toilet bowl gasket or wax seal, which forms a solid barrier between the toilet and the sewer pipe. But it looks just like it sounds like a piece of wax shaped like a ring or donut. Wax ring manufacturer makes it easy to install and long-lasting.

toilet wax ring
toilet wax ring

Applications of Wax Rings

Toilet wax rings are multipurpose plumbing components. Its basic function is to create a watertight seal between the toilet base and the flange. After buying from an authentic wax ring manufacturer, you can use the following ways:

  • Sealing the toilet to the ground
  • Making your toilet stable & durable
  • Preventing the access of sewer gases into your house
  • Making a watertight connection to prevent leaks and spills
  • Keeping your toilet fragrant
  • Adjusting the flange height

Types of Wax Rings

  • Standard Wax Rings: Suitable for toilets with a flange, these are composed entirely of wax. These rings are suitable where the flange & floor are at the same level. Installation is very simple.
  • Flange Wax Rings: These rings have flanges that extend into the drainpipe. Rubber or plastic are used to make the flanges. These rings are used when the flange is a few inches below floor level.
  • Double-Thick Wax Rings: Wax rings manufacture two wax rings together, which is known as a double-thick wax ring. It certainly makes a thicker seal. If the gap between the toilet & flange is large, it can be used.
toilet closet flange
Toilet closet flange
  • Extra Thick Wax Rings: The wax is thicker than standard. It creates a deeper seal. These are utilized in situations where flanges are deeply recessed below the floor. You can also use it where the gap between the toilet & flange is large. Installation might be challenging because of its thickness.
  • Jumbo Wax Rings: These are thicker than extra-thick wax rings & used where extra sealing is needed. At the time of installation, you must be aware of wax overflow.
  • Felt Wax Rings: These types of rings are used in wall-mounted fixtures.
  • Reinforced Core Wax Ring: These have a plastic core composed of wax. When toiled needs to be adjusted or repositioned, these are used.
  • Wax Ring with Adhesive: There is an adhesive layer in the wax. It is best used when holding the ring in place is difficult.

What materials Toilet Wax Rings are made of

Wax rings are composed of petroleum- or vegetable-based wax, occasionally combined with an addition of polyurethane. The material choice depends on the customer’s exact needs, flange condition, and ease of installation. The main components are:

Wax: Beeswax or Petroleum-based wax.

Plastic Flange: It is made of polyethylene or some durable plastics.

pvc toilet closet flange
pvc toilet closet flange

Foam: It helps to create more compression and elasticity.

Rubber: The durability & flexibility is great for rubber. These are good for highly humid areas.

Silicone: Silicone is used where the temperature fluctuates a lot.

Reinforced Gaskets: In an older plumbing system, reinforced gaskets make the seal long-lasting.

Brass: Wax rings are used around both sides of the flange made of lead-free brass before setting up the new toilet.

brass toilet wax ring
brass toilet wax ring

What is the Perfect Size of Toilet Wax Rings:

A good toilet wax ring manufacturer provides correct-sized wax rings with two main factors: Width & Thickness.

Width: Measure the ‘elbow neck’ of your toilet. Opening at the bottom of the toilet is called ‘elbow neck’. The standard elbow neck size is 4 inches. If the elbow neck is 3 inches, use a 3-inch wax ring.

Thickness: To find the wax ring’s ideal thickness, pay attention to the flange. A wax ring with a regular thickness is very much workable if the flange is at the same level as your floor. A double-thickness wax ring is needed if the flange is under the floor.

How to Replace Wax Rings

Essential Tools:

  • A new wax ring
  • Rags or sponges
  • Newspaper or padding
  • Scraper
  • A solvent such as WD-40
  • Disinfectant
  • Adjustable Wrench
  • Hack saw
  • Caulk
  • Putty knife
  • Bucket 

STEP 1- Turn off the water and remove the toilet:

To replace a wax ring, shut off the water supply first. A steel hose that has been braided will usually run from the bottom of the toilet tank to a wall valve. When the tank stops refilling after flushing, turn that valve clockwise. Remove the caps using the flathead screwdriver to disclose the nut and washer on each toilet bolt. Don’t worry about crushing the threads; the wax ring manufacturer provides replacement bolts.

toilet remove
toilet remove

After the toilet is removed, this is where it will rest; the towel will absorb any leaks and provide cushioning. The wax ring may be fastened to the floor flange, the underside of the toilet, or partially to both. Scrape any remaining wax chunks from the pipe and the bottom of the toilet using the putty knife. 

STEP 2- Install the new flange bolts & new wax ring:

There should be fresh flange bolts included with the wax ring replacement kit provide by wax ring manufacturer. These bolts should be positioned at 3 and 9 o’clock on either side of the flange.

After removing the wax left by the old ring with a scraper or solvent such as WD-40, spray the area with the disinfectant. Put the new wax ring in place and swap out the bolts. Use a twisting motion and light pressure to seat the ring properly because it needs to fit firmly.

toilet closet flange
toilet closet flange

STEP 3- Reinstall the toilet & secure it:

Leaning on your legs, lift the toilet and move it to the drain while keeping your back straight. Lower it so the anchor bolts slide up into the mounting holes by hovering it over the drain. Cover each bolt with the wide plastic, nylon, or paper washers. Toilet wax ring manufacturers provide these with the kit. that was included with the wax ring kit.

The average lifetime of a toilet wax ring is indefinite. Unlike rubber, wax doesn’t break down. The toilet won’t leak itself unless there’s another issue with it. When people remove the toilet for an unrelated reason, they typically replace the wax rings.

reinstall the toilet & secure it
Reinstall the toilet & secure it

Removing the old wax ring and installing a new one when reinstalling a toilet is essential. Water seeping through a compromised wax ring won’t stop once it starts because inexperienced & cheap wax ring manufacturers supply poorly fitted wax rings, which causes leaks.

Solutions For Waterworks Plumbing

Get quote Now

Free Sample with OEM