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Fluidmaster wax free toilet gasket

edwardh1 | Posted in General Discussion on December 20, 2007 04:08am

Anyone using these???- I wonder how they seal to the toilet itself- the seal to the house piping looks good tho.

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Replies

  1. DanH | Dec 20, 2007 04:27am | #1

    There was a lot of talk about them when they came out, but everyone chickened out on trying them, so no reports that I can recall.

    If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
    1. User avater
      IMERC | Dec 20, 2007 04:30am | #2

      there were a few here that tried them...

      no problems that I heard of so far... 

      Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

      WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

  2. BryanKlakamp | Dec 20, 2007 04:31am | #3

    Ed,

    Use the Fernco rubber toilet gasket. You will not use a wax ring again.

    I used the Fluidmaster gasket one time before I knew of the Fernco brand. I would not use one again.

    The Fernco gasket has an adhesive that will stick to the bottom of the toilet (as long as it is clean), and centers the toilet as you install it.

    If the ring on the floor is high, you will not be able use it. You would probably have to use a wax ring.

    Bryan

    "Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

    Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City

    1. jayzog | Dec 20, 2007 03:47pm | #10

      I've never used anything but wax rings. What is the advantage of these rubber ones?

      1. User avater
        xxPaulCPxx | Dec 20, 2007 08:18pm | #12

        It's reusable, as other said you can adjust the toilet without breaking the seal, and you don't have to worry about a double ring setup gooping over into the drain path.

        Just a homeowner here, but I've used the Fluidmaster on about 6 different toilets - including ones that previously had wax rings (suck it up soldier and clean that residue off!).  Easy to use, seals up first time every time.  No leaks, ever.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

        Also a CRX fanatic!

        If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

        1. glatt | Dec 20, 2007 09:24pm | #13

          How do you clean the residue off? Sure, you can wipe with a rag, but you never get it all. Is there some solvent that gets the wax residue off?

          1. BryanKlakamp | Dec 21, 2007 01:09am | #14

            I've used mineral spirits, which seems to dissolve the wax, plus using some elbow grease. Then I have followed up with denatured alcohol to clean off any oily residue from the paint thinner."Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

            Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City

      2. BryanKlakamp | Dec 21, 2007 01:12am | #15

        Similar to what pidg said in post 10. It sticks to the toilet so tenaciously that you can rotate the toilet and you won't lose the seal.

        I have also taken the toilet out, set it on a dolly, and reinstalled it, and the gasket stays firmly attached.

        No problems with any so far!"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

        Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City

  3. plumbbill | Dec 20, 2007 05:12am | #4

    In my career I have used more neoprene gaskets then I have wax ones, but I do more wall hung toilets than floor mounts.

    On our condo jobs it's going to come down to cost----- wax hasn't failed us, so as long as wax stays cheaper we will stay with wax.

    "Why do you hurt me when I do bad things to you?" My youngest son to his older brother

    1. BilWil | Dec 21, 2007 04:48am | #16

      What brand of neoprene gasket do you use on wall hung toilets, I've got a customer in a condo with wall hung toilets that rest on the floor.  I usually replace them a couple of times, using wax rings, before I get a good seal.  Suggestions appreciated.

      1. plumbbill | Dec 21, 2007 06:28am | #17

        Oh man, I am having a total brain meltdown, I can't remember the brand.

        I'll make a call tomorrow & post back.

        "Why do you hurt me when I do bad things to you?" My youngest son to his older brother

        1. glatt | Dec 21, 2007 05:42pm | #18

          Will the fernco one work with older cast iron waste pipes? The inner surface of the cast iron pipe seems a little on the rough side. Does the o-ring (or whatever) seal well against a surface like that, or will it only work with newer smooth PVC waste lines? I've had ongoing trouble with one toilet in my house, having to replace the wax ring every 2-3 years, I'd love to find a more reliable solution.

          1. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Dec 21, 2007 06:56pm | #20

            Don't know about the other brands, but I've used the fluidmaster about 50% of the time on iron, and the rings are very flexible and fit every nook and cranny to provide a tight seal.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

            Also a CRX fanatic!

            If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts.  You nut, you.

          2. BryanKlakamp | Dec 22, 2007 07:14am | #24

            I have used the Fernco with cast iron pipes. I use a rasp to clean the inside of the pipe. I don't try to get it perfectly smooth. Mostly to take off loose rust and smooth it a little.

            Have not had any problems that I know of.

            The Fernco has either two or three rings on it that seal against the pipe. If you have a concern that it might not seal, use a little plumbers grease on the Fernco fitting. That would also make it a little easier to pull back out when you need to remove the toilet in the future."Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

            Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City

          3. DanH | Dec 22, 2007 02:34pm | #25

            > Have not had any problems that I know of.So so far you haven't dropped the rasp down the pipe?
            If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

          4. BryanKlakamp | Dec 22, 2007 03:15pm | #26

            That would be a problem!

            No, not yet.

            You could also use a wire wheel on your drill. (Make sure it's chucked in tight!)"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."

            Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio - just south of the Glass City

        2. BilWil | Dec 21, 2007 06:28pm | #19

          Thankyou, I sure appreciate it, two and three tries to get one to seal is very frustrating, and costly.

  4. alwaysoverbudget | Dec 20, 2007 05:32am | #5

    i have used them a couple times on a tile floor where the flange is on the low side. never had a problem so far.... larry

    if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?

  5. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Dec 20, 2007 06:39am | #6

    I've had more problems than not, so have gone back to wax.  They work fine on a new bowl, but an old toilet with residue from a previous wax seal makes the seal adhering to the underside problematic.  Or maybe I just don't know the secret.

     

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

    1. edwardh1 | Dec 20, 2007 06:44am | #7

      are you talking fernco or fluidmaster- I did not think the fluidmaster stuck to the bowl maybe it does

  6. Pidg | Dec 20, 2007 07:52am | #8

    I installed a new toilet with the gasket 16 months ago. I didn't tighten the holdown bolts enough, so the toilet would rotate slightly around the flange, when inadvertently pushed.

    Because the gasket and o-ring are resilient, I could rotate the toilet back to the correct position without leaks. I doubt that a wax ring could tolerate the rotation without leaking, but I never tested my theory.

    I plan to use wax-free in the future. The Fluidmaster doesn't use an adhesive, which I think is an advantage, since most adhesives I've used, with water contact, eventually fail. But, I don't know anything about the Fernco, except Bryan said it uses an adhesive. Maybe if I knew more about it I could be convinced. But I'm happy with the Fluidmaster, so far.

  7. User avater
    AaronRosenthal | Dec 20, 2007 10:14am | #9

    I've used the Fernco gaskets a lot, and I like them.

    Quality repairs for your home.

    AaronR Construction
    Vancouver, Canada

     

  8. Muttly | Dec 20, 2007 05:44pm | #11

    I bought one to try, it will not work on an offset flange, dosn't say that on the box or packaging. fyi

  9. wallyo | Dec 21, 2007 07:21pm | #21

    In Boise Idaho we have a unique situation a lot of houses in the east end are heated by geothermal heat. It is pumped out of a well by the old pen and goes down warm spring ave to various house on it and on side streets. The city has there own district that heats downtown buildings.

    What does this have to do with wax rings, they melt, never thought of it until a remodel for my sister, several years pass and she asks what is wrong with the maple floor in the guest bath. The wood around the toilet is discolored and the nails have rust stains. I figure there is a leak pull the toilet hardly any wax left.

    The geo comes into the house goes through the system then get dumped into the sewer line. Don't know exactly what it comes in at but it leaves at 186 degrees plus. This slowly melts the wax over several years. Who would of thought. Replaced it with not sure of the brand the supply house called it a waxless ring, was like a large version of a tank to bowl seal. The floor has a bit of rust sain but the color and all has for the most part gone back.

    Sine then I have used this one and the fluid master, no problems with either.

    1. MikeHennessy | Dec 21, 2007 08:06pm | #22

      Melting wax seals is always a design concern in radiant floor installations.

      Never heard of residential-geothermal-waste-heat-in-the-drain issues before. On the other hand, since there is nothing remotely like that around here, it ain't likely I'll ever need to worry about it. Wish I did, though. That would be cool. ;-)

      Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

      1. wallyo | Dec 21, 2007 10:51pm | #23

        Didn't think about the radiant issue real good point.With the goe my sitter pays a flat rate I think it is $350.00 a year, may be a bit more now, that is for heat and domestic hot water. Needless to say geo houses sell for a bit more then others.

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