Most often, users get hassled with their toilet, not flushing, and there is a bad wax ring to blame for this. But most of us wonder, “will bad wax ring cause toilet not to flush?”
A toilet wax ring is soft and flexible toilet equipment, and it is prone to breakdown due to frequent use. Due to a broken wax ring, the toilet starts leaking, and the toilet water comes out from the base of the floor.
But when the fact is malfunctioning in the flushing system, there is a big question is the faulty wax ring a leading culprit here or not?
The wax ring is not so much relatable to the flushing mechanism of the toilet, yet you can’t deal with a broken wax ring. You need to replace the bad wax ring immediately.
Follow up on our below article to get a complete guide on this fact. Also, learn the function of the wax ring and what responsive factors lead to the wax ring failure.
Table of Contents
Will Bad Wax Ring Cause Toilet Not To Flush [Explined]
To rectify this query, you should have a clear knowledge of the wax ring and the function of this toilet equipment. Also, learn what responsive factors lead to the wax ring failure from the below discussion.
Note: You can also read how to fix the toilet refill hose keeps coming out problems.
What Is Toilet Wax Ring
A toilet wax ring refers to a toilet seal located between the toilet and the closet flange on the floor. Basically, this is a ring of molded wax on a short plastic pipe that is mounted on top of the toilet flange. Then the toilet is installed on top of this flange.
Toilet bolts are used to hold the toilet on the floor, and the wax ring creates a water seal by squeezing the bolts hard against itself. A gummy resin is used in the wax ring to make the closet flange and toilet joint watertight enough. The closet flange is a circular pipe that secures the unit to the floor and connects to the drain pipe.
How Many Types Of Toilet Wax Rings
Many types of wax rings are used in the toilet. Among them, two types of wax rings are mostly used. One is the wax ring with a sleeve, and the other is the wax ring without a sleeve.
The Wax ring that comes with the sleeve is more durable and ensures stability in the fitting and installation processes. This seal is perfect for flanges that sit 1/4-inch below or 1/4-inch above the floor.
Also, there is a wax-free which is preferred by most plumbers. They are made of rubber and have a longer life than a wax ring.
How Does A Wax Ring Work
A wax ring is an integral part of your toilet installation. From the Gogo Rooter Plumbing explanation, the main purpose of the wax rings is to keep the water from splashing on the floor, providing a complete odour-proof seal and keeping the sewer gas out.
i). Served As An Odor Proof Seal
The core function of a wax ring is to provide an odour-proof seal. There is an internal trap in every toilet, which is mainly used to hold the water. Also, it keeps the sewer gas out.
The wax is sealed in between the toilet and sewer pipe to prevent sewer gas from escaping. Thus all the nasty odour will easily be out of your bathroom and keep it fresh.
ii). Prevent Water Leak
The wax ring is used to firmly attach the bolts to hold the toilet on the floor. Thus the sewer pipe and the bottom of the WC become seals through the wax ring, preventing water from leaking from the base. Though it keeps the toilet water from splashing onto the floor, it will not prove a complete waterproof leak
What Causes A Toilet Wax Ring To Fail
Toilet wax rings are the soft and flexible elements sealed between some of the harder components of a toilet system. There are some major reasons that can cause wax ring failure in the toilet.
If you want to prevent the failed wax rings related problems, it is essential to know what commonly causes problems with this important little gadget. For instance:
i). Loose Toilets
Most often, toilet wax ring failure happens due to a loose toilet. If the toilets are not installed securely, they may sway while in use which dislodges the toilet wax ring.
Also, due to the loose installation of the toilet, the wax ring seal gets loose or sometimes broken. As the toilet wax rings’ function is dependable on the seal, it will fail for a broken seal. Reinstalling the toilet can resolve it.
ii). Sewage Backup
At times, the toilet wax rings fail if the main sewer line starts backing up. For sewer lines to back up, there build up sewage water and start flowing backward. Then it pushes on the toilet wax ring and puts enough pressure on the pipe, which destroys the seal.
You must have fixed the sewage backup issue before a replacement of the toilet wax ring. Get professional plumbers to do the job.
iii). The Distance Between the Flange and Toilet
This is another concerning factor that causes a toilet ring to fail. Here, the distance between the toilet and the closet flange is too large. Due to the huge range, the wax ring fails to seal the gap.
iv). Using Low-Quality Wax Ring
If you install a low-quality wax ring on your toilet, it will fail to show effectiveness for a longer time. Only high-quality wax rings will keep functional for around 20 to 30 years.
How To Know If Toilet Wax Ring Is Bad [3 Major Signs To Know]
Though the wax ring of the toilet is soft and malleable, formed with sticky wax, it may occasionally fail due to several reasons. Then, wax ring replacement is necessary to prevent major damage to the toilet.
But here, you need quick symptoms that will help you spot the wax ring failure, and a replacement is needed. Now, know the signs of a bad wax ring from below:
i). Sewer Smell Coming From The Toilet
If you are experiencing a bad odour from your bathroom, there might be a faulty wax ring. Besides being a water-tight seal. The Wax ring serves as an air-tight seal as well to keep the sewer gas out.
But due to the broken ring, sewer gases will leak from the drainpipe, creating a horrific situation in the bathroom. Sewer gases are harmful as they contain germs and septic materials, causing sickness to humans.
ii). Ceiling Or Floor Damage
When the wax ring goes bad, water won’t seep from the base. This would cause severe damage to the ceiling or the flooring around the toilet. To detrain this, you need to check underneath your bathroom for signs of damage.
Also, look for signs of mold in the ceiling drywall or flooring as the release of wastewater can encourage mold growth. In this situation, only a wax ring replacement is not enough. It requires replacing damaged subflooring with a professional contractor.
iii). Leaking Water From The Basement
Most of the time, you will see water collecting around the base of the toilet. That means the toilet is leaking, and the wax ring would be the leading reason here.
After flushing, the water from the water tank mixes with human waste and then penetrates the septic tank. But due to a broken wax ring, the mounting bolts become loose, causing the basement ceiling to start leaking.
How To Determine If The Wax Ring Size Is Right For Toilet
There are some factors to choosing the correct sized wax ring for your toilet. For instance:
i). Measuring The Width Of The Toilet Bottom
To know what size of the wax ring is right for your toilet, you have to know the width of the bottom of your toilet. For this, turn your toilet bowl on its side. Then, measure the opening on the bottom. Now buy the wax ring based on the width measurement.
ii). Check The Toilet Flange’s Thickness
Another factor that is needed to check is the thickness of the toilet flange. You will need a regular-thickness wax ring if the flange is level with the floor. Here, the size will be between 3/4 and 1 inch thick.
On the contrary, if the flange is located under the floor, you have to choose a double-thickness wax ring. A double-thick wax ring will be about an inch thicker than a regular one.
How To Replace A Toilet Wax Ring [Easy Steps To Guide]
Whenever you are in the chore of replacing the bad toilet wax ring, an effective guide is quite needed. Follow the below assigned step-by-step instructions, where you will learn how to replace your toilet wax ring.
- First up, you will have to drain the toilet. Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet to drain excess water from the tank.
- Disconnect the water supply line from the tank bottom. There will be a little water in the line. So, you need a bucket handy to catch it.
- Now it’s time to remove the toilet. First, remove the caps covering the bolts
- Then, Take an adjustable wrench and remove the bolts and washers at the base of the toilet.
- Now, you will see that the broken wax ring is wrapped around the circular flange.
- Take a putty knife and scrape the remnants of the old wax ring. You should clean and dry the flange completely before installing the new wax ring.
- Also, check if it’s cracked or broken. If so, call a plumber to replace a toilet flange.
- This is the time to install the new wax ring. Follow the instructions on your packaging to fit the wax ring. After installing the new wax ring, lift the toilet again.
- Now, take a seat on the toilet and shift your weight around several times to complete this process. Make sure that your toilet is flush against the floor. The toilet should not be wobbling while you are sitting on it.
- Finally, replace the mounting bolts and bolt covers and reconnect your water supply line at the bottom of the tank. Once the water supply is turned on, give the toilet some good flushes.
- Well done!! You have the bad wax ring from your toilet successfully.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Toilet Wax Ring
Now surely you are struggling with the failed wax ring and wondering about the toilet wax ring replacement cost. This section will give you the best idea about this fact.
A toilet wax ring replacement is not a time-consuming task. Also, replacing the bad wax ring is relatively cheap, depending on the brand.
The price range of a wax ring starts from $5-$7. Also, if you want to buy a quality wax ring with a plastic flanged horn and brass mounted bolts, it will cost high but less than $15-$17.
Now, you will need to hire a professional plumber to do the entire job. He will disassemble the whole toilet in order to access the base of the toilet and the wax ring.
Also, they will do some other tasks, including leak rest, area preparation and protection, setup, and cleanup. They will charge about $160- $220 depending on your local geographical region, job size, conditions, and finish options you choose.
Go through the below table for an instance:
| Cost To Install A Wax Ring | |
| A Wax Ring Cost | $5 |
| Wax Ring Installation Labor Cost | $160 |
| Wax Ring Installation Job Supplies | $3 |
| Minimum labor charge for other tasks | $66 |
| Total | $234 |
How Long Does It Take To Replace A Toilet Wax Ring
Replacing the toilet wax ring is not only the task of removing the old ring and installing the new ring. Here you have to concentrate on the toilet flange, and the mounting bolts and need to replace other parts if needed.
So, the complete task will take approximately two to three hours for a plumber to install a toilet wax ring.
How Long Does A Toilet Wax Ring Last
Technically, a toilet wax ring will last up to 15 to 30 years. But the lifespan will depend on the brand, quality of parts, and how you maintain your toilet. But from various manufacturer recommendations, it will last 20 years with appropriate functionality.
After this time, the effectiveness of the wax ring will be reduced, and you will have to replace the wax ring. After long wearing and tearing the toilet, there will appear some major problems from the toilet like leaks at the toilet base, bad odors, and floor damage around the toilet.
FAQs:
Is a wax ring better than a rubber?
In most of the toilets, there is a wax ring made with beeswax or petroleum. But now, many plumbers suggest using the wax-free ring as it is far easier and provides mess-free installation.
What can I use instead of a wax ring for the toilet?
If you are in search of some alternative options from the wax ring, you can use sponge-type gaskets or gasket flexible waxless seals offered by various brands.
Wrapping Words:
That’s all we have!! Hopefully, now you have no more questions about can a bad wax ring cause flushing problems. If you are facing any toilet problem due to a broken wax ring, replace it with the help of our guide.
Let us know if you face any trouble while replacing the wax ring from your toilet. We are always here for you!!!
About James
James founded HomeUpgradeLab & was sharing his experiences to fix issues related to bathroom and toilet fixtures & fittings. Read to know more about James Hill & how he started this blog.