Should I put the wax ring on the toilet or the flange?

Quick Answer

The wax ring should be installed on the toilet horn, not the toilet flange. The wax ring creates a seal between the toilet and the drain pipe when the toilet is bolted down. Placing the wax ring directly on the horn ensures full contact and compression to prevent leaks. The toilet flange should be installed on the drain pipe protruding from the floor. The flange provides stability and a mounting surface for bolting down the toilet.

What is a Toilet Wax Ring?

A toilet wax ring, also known as a toilet wax seal, is a ring made of wax that sits between the toilet horn and the floor flange. Its purpose is to create a watertight compression seal that prevents water and gases from escaping at this crucial junction.

Wax rings are approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. They have a sleeve or horn that fits over the toilet horn and a flange that compresses down onto the floor flange. The pliable wax conforms to minor imperfections in the toilet and flange surfaces to create an airtight seal.

Wax rings are made from wax blended with plastic resins and vegetable oils to provide an ideal consistency that is pliable when warm yet firm when cooled. This allows the ring to be flexible during installation but solidify into a rigid, leak-free seal.

Benefits of Toilet Wax Rings

• Creates watertight seal between toilet and drain pipe
• Conforms to surface irregularities
• Easy to install
• Adapter size for 3″ and 4″ drain pipes
• Inexpensive

Wax rings compress when the toilet is bolted down to form a perfect seal. The pliability of the wax fills in any small gaps or rough spots on the mating surfaces. The seals are reliable, effective, and widely used in residential plumbing.

What is a Toilet Flange?

The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is a pipe fitting that is installed on top of the drain pipe coming up from the floor. It provides a stable mounting surface for securing the toilet in place.

Flanges are typically made of PVC or ABS plastic and consist of a circular flat base with a threaded sleeve sized to fit the drain pipe. Many flanges also have slots or holes to accommodate toilet mounting bolts.

Functions of a Toilet Flange

• Anchors the toilet and provides stability
• Raises the toilet to the correct height above the floor
• Allows bolts to be threaded in to secure toilet
• Funnels waste from toilet into drain pipe

Having the flange properly installed and secured is critical for keeping the toilet steady and preventing rocking or shifting. A loose flange can allow the wax ring seal to fail.

Installing the Toilet Wax Ring

When installing a new toilet or replacing the wax ring on an existing toilet, it is essential that the wax ring sits on the toilet horn and not the floor flange. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Remove the old toilet and clean the flange surface thoroughly. Make any needed repairs to a damaged flange.
2. Apply a thin layer of plumber’s putty around the base of the toilet horn. This fills in small gaps in the horn surface.
3. Turn the toilet upside down and place the wax ring squarely over the toilet horn, pressing it down firmly until it adheres.
4. Apply weight or gently tap the wax ring to embed it into the putty and flatten it out.
5. Carefully set the toilet back upright without dislodging the wax ring.
6. Lower the toilet back onto the flange, with the horn and wax ring lined up with the flange opening.
7. Sit on the toilet to press it down and create compression.
8. Insert the toilet bolts and washers through the base holes and flange. Tighten the nuts evenly until snug.

The key is keeping the wax ring on the horn so it seals from below as the toilet is tightened down. Never place it on the flange itself, as this prevents full compression. A toilet installed without the wax ring or with it in the wrong spot will leak and require repair.

Why Put the Wax Ring on the Toilet Horn

Installing the wax ring directly onto the toilet horn, rather than the flange, ensures optimal sealing for several reasons:

• The full weight and pressure of the toilet is directed straight down onto the wax ring, flattening and sealing it fully.
• The ring compresses evenly between the two surfaces it is meant to seal – the horn and the flange.
• The horn keeps the ring centered perfectly as the toilet is lowered into place.
• Plumber’s putty fills small gaps in the horn for an airtight bond with the wax ring.
• The horn guides the wax ring cleanly into the flange opening without distortion or displacement.

Putting the wax ring on the horn also allows you to verify that it is correctly aligned and firmly adhered before setting the toilet. This helps prevent leakage from a ring that is off-center, tilted, or not fully compressed.

Risks of Putting Wax Ring on the Flange

While the wax ring may stay put if placed on the flange, it carries multiple risks:

• The ring can shift off-center as the toilet is set, distorting the seal.
• The ring may not make full flush contact with the horn, leaving gaps.
• The seal can be weakened or damaged if the ring adheres to the flange better than the horn.
• Downward pressure spreads out on the flange rather than concentrating on the ring.
• Wax may stick to flange bolts rather than sealing against the horn.

Any of these situations can result in a leak between the toilet and floor flange and require a redo of the installation. Follow the wax ring manufacturer’s instructions to avoid seal failures.

Troubleshooting Toilet Seal Leaks

If you develop a leak between your toilet base and the floor, a problem with the wax ring seal is likely the culprit. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Symptoms of Toilet Seal Leaks

• Water or dampness around base of toilet
• Slow toilet water leak
• Toilet rocking or loose at the base
• Odors coming from under toilet
• Need to hold handle down to flush
• Toilet drain gurgles or bubbles

These signs indicate the seal between the toilet and flange is compromised and allowing water to escape.

Causes of Leaky Toilet Seals

• Wax ring positioned incorrectly
• Additional or double wax ring installed
• Wax ring shifted, distorted, or damaged
• No wax ring used
• Cracked or damaged toilet horn
• Loose or damaged flange
• Floor or flange height problem
• Improperly tightened bolts

Fixing a Leaky Toilet Seal

1. Turn off toilet water supply.
2. Disconnect and remove toilet.
3. Thoroughly clean flange and horn with putty knife.
4. Inspect for cracks or damage and replace parts as needed.
5. Apply fresh plumber’s putty to toilet horn.
6. Install new wax ring on horn correctly.
7. Reinstall toilet and tightly bolt to flange.
8. Turn on water and test for leaks.

Be sure to compress the wax ring fully when resetting the toilet. Go slow and be careful not to dislodge the ring. This should create an airtight toilet seal.

Special Considerations

Types of Toilet Seals

Though toilet wax rings are standard, there are specialty seals available:

• Extra-thick and double wax rings – Used for uneven flanges; doubles must stack, not overlap.
• Plastic seals – More durable alternative to wax.
• Rubber gaskets – Provide a flexible seal and stability for floor-mounted toilets.
• Metal bands – Seal and reinforce the joint between horn and flange.

Flange Height Issues

If the floor flange is too high or low, a taller wax ring may be needed:

• Use an extra-thick ring for low flanges.
• Use a flange extender for high flanges.
• Adjusting flange height may require re-tiling or shimming.

A 1/4″ gap between flange and floor is acceptable. Any more may require correction to allow proper wax ring compression.

Retrofit Flange Installation

For floor flanges that lack mounting slots, special slotted retrofit flanges are available to anchor the toilet without having to replace the entire flange:

• Fits over existing round flange and secures with set screws.
• Provides slots for new mounting bolts.

This can restore a solid mounting base without the hassle of removing the old flange.

Conclusion

Always install the toilet wax ring seal onto the toilet horn rather than the floor flange. This allows full compression and prevents leaks. The wax ring goes between the toilet drain and the flange to make a watertight connection. Any issues with flange height or stability should be corrected. Check that the ring is centered and adhered to the horn before setting the toilet. With the wax ring in the proper position, you can install the toilet with confidence that the seal will be leak-free. Take care not to dislodge or damage the ring throughout the installation process. A securely mounted toilet with a compressed wax ring will provide a reliable toilet-to-flange seal.