Table Of Contents
Replacing The Wax Seal On Your Toilet
A leaky toilet is an irritating bathroom problem that could happen to anyone. Undoubtedly, a leaking toilet is stressful and bad for the environment. If you have a leaking toilet, you need to identify the location of the leak.
To help you with your leaky toilet issue, this article serves as a guide on replacing the toilet outlet pipe seal. But first, where should you look for when your toilet leaks at the base?
Find The Source Of A Toilet Leak At The Base
Tank lid
The first place to look is the highest point in the tank. Remove the tank lid and check to find out that water is not leaking from that point. If the toilet is running, it can flow across from the sides, forming a water puddle on the floor.
Tee-bolts
These are used to screw the toilet to the floor. You need to check under the opaque plastic cover to see them. You'll need screwdrivers or a putty knife to help remove them. If the bolts are loose, water can leak from the toilet bowl, so you'll need to secure the bolts.
Wax ring
The wax ring secures the toilet to the drain or waste pipe. As time passes, the rubber seal will get worn out and could require a replacement. If you've already ruled out all other possibilities, it's worth replacing the seal on the toilet waste pipe.
The Purpose Of The Wax Seal On A Toilet Outlet
Controls odours
The wax ring creates an airtight seal, which stops the rising gas of sewage from spilling from the toilet's base. If the wax seal is in good condition, gas rises into the toilet's s-trap and stays there until it is flushed again.
It is vital to understand that not all bad toilet smells originate from a defective toilet seal, as there are a variety of other reasons that could cause the smell of sewage in a bathroom.
Prevents leaks at the base of the toilet
After flushing, the water stored in the toilet cistern will flow into the toilet bowl, flowing downwards to the drainage pipe. The wax ring creates a waterproof seal between the drainpipe and the toilet, ensuring no water leaks onto the floor during the journey down.
Stability and comfort
As we sit down and rise, the toilet is exposed to some force. Besides preventing gas and water leaks, the wax ring can also give the toilet strength and flexibility. Without wax sealing, the anchoring flange will take the brunt of the pressure, which could cause cracking of the flange, loose bolts for mounting, and a wobbly toilet.
Signs That It Is Time To Replace The Wax Seal
Before we get into changing the seal on your toilet, it's worthwhile to take time to recognise the indicators that show that your current wax ring needs a replacement. Here are the most common signs that it's time to replace your toilet wax seal.
Water appears around the base of the toilet
If you notice water accumulating around the toilet base, it could signify that you need to replace your previous wax rings. One of the best ways to determine whether the seal is the problem is by cleaning any water accumulated on your bathroom floor with paper towels or a mop and leaving the bathroom unattended for a couple of hours. If, when you return, you find that extra water has taken up residence, you most likely need a new wax ring.
Foul odour
Another sign that your toilet's seal needs replacement is an unpleasant smell in the bathroom. If you notice a strong odour coming from your toilet, a defective wax seal is likely at fault.
Replace The Seal On The Toilet Outlet Pipe
Now that you know the purpose of the seal on the toilet waste pipe and when to replace it, let's look at how you can replace it.
Step One: Empty the toilet tank and bowl
Once you've decided to replace the toilet seal, the first thing to do is remove all the water in the tank and the bowl. This means cutting out the water supply to the toilet and flushing it to empty any remaining water. While doing this, keep the handle down for a prolonged period. This is to ensure that as much of the water as possible has been removed. The remaining water will usually be dumped through the drain opening with the standard plunger of toilets.
Step Two: Detach toilet from floor and water supply line
With the water supply line turned off and all water in the bowl and toilet tank emptied, it's time to disconnect the toilet from the water supply line. You'll need to use a wrench or a set of flat-nosed pliers to achieve this. If the supply line is successfully disconnected, it's time to loosen the bolts for mounting the toilet.
Most toilets come with 0.9cm nuts that can be removed with a ratchet or wrench. To avoid problems when reconnecting the toilet, collect the bolts in a container to be used once you're done replacing the toilet seal.
In case the toilet has been sealed at the joints holding the bathroom floor, you can remove the caulking with an exaggerator knife or other sharp objects. When removing the caulking, it is essential to be careful not to cut the flooring material and cause damage to it.
Step Three: Disconnect the toilet tank
To remove the tank, you can use an adjustable wrench or even a ratchet to loosen the bolts connecting the tank to the toilet's body to remove the tank. After the bolts have been removed successfully, gently raise the tank off its mounting before putting it on a dry surface.
Step Four: Move the toilet bowl
After everything is separated, the next step is taking the toilet bowl and moving it away. If you choose to keep the tank in place while removing it, removing the lid from the tank is recommended, as it can fall off and break when moving. Once you're prepared for the move of your toilet, start by placing one hand under the toilet bowl and the other behind and raising the toilet.
Step Five: Dispose of the old seal and inspect the toilet flange
After the toilet has been successfully removed and cleared away from its location, it's time to take off the seal. The best method for doing this is using a paint scraper or putty knife to scrape off the waxy substance and dispose of it in the plastic bag. After removing the old rings, it is recommended to block the drain by using an old T-shirt or a rag.
This will prevent the release of toxic gases from the sewage system, which could cause you to feel sick if you inhale them. A toilet flange is a pipe fitting that connects the toilet drain to the toilet flush pipe for draining and connects it to the floor. A damaged flange could lead to issues later and cause a leaky toilet.
The repair kit for flanges comprises a ring made of metal attached to the top part of the damaged toilet flange and makes it function as new. You may also have to replace the toilet pan connectors.
Step Six: Install the new flange
If you did not find any significant issues regarding your toilet's flange, you could avoid this step entirely. If your flange needs to be replaced, begin by taking off the screws that hold it to the subfloor. Once the screws are removed, the flange can be taken off from the drainage pipe and the new one installed in its place.
Once you have this, you can secure the draining flange onto the floor with screws that are new or old if in good condition. At this point, the bolts that mount the toilet can be put in their correct position. This will need to be done before the possibility of installing the toilet. But before that is done, the new seal needs to be put in place.
Step Seven: Attach the new wax seal
Installing a wax seal is simple, and you'll need to place it on the flange. Once it's installed, there is nothing more to be accomplished. The most crucial aspect of installing an entirely new ring is to ensure that you don't push it to the point of squishiness when you reinstall the toilet.
Take the time to give the space a quick scrub. This can be accomplished by using bleach or another cleaning product and scrubber brushes or rags.
Step Eight: Moving the toilet to its original position
Once you've successfully installed a new seal made of wax, you can move the toilet back to its place. In making this move, make sure that the bolts for your toilet have been placed in the right location. If they're not in the correct position, it will be challenging to install the toilet.
Once the bolts have been inserted through the holes at the toilet's base, carefully lift the toilet, positioning it on top of the drainage hole. After the toilet is correctly positioned, attach it to the ground by screwing on the bolts (either new or the ones you've saved) till they're snug and secure.
Step Nine: Reattach the toilet tank
If you've removed the toilet tank earlier, now is the perfect time to attach it back. Reconnecting the tank is fairly simple. One thing to look out for before attaching your toilet tank is to ensure that the seal has stopped any leaks that could occur in the future.
Step Ten: Reconnect the water supply line
With the new seal in place and the toilet secured to the floor, you can reconnect the water supply. Make sure you connect the water line tightly until it's firm and secure. After that, reopen the valve to supply water to the toilet bowl and tank.
There are cases where disconnecting and reconnecting the toilet results in adjustments to the water level within the toilet bowl or tank. If this is the instance for you, don't fret since adjusting the water levels in the tank and the toilet can be easily accomplished.
Hire A Professional
Once everything is installed, it is vital to be on the lookout for any indication of water leaks in the following couple of days. If no issue is observed, it is a sign that the installation went well and the seal performed its task.
If you experience problems with water or gas leaks, which could indicate a problem during the process, you might need to repeat a few steps over again. However, to prevent such issues, it is best to hire a professional plumber who will handle the whole process properly and ensure no leaks occur in the future.
