Somebody posted a good topic but deleted their original post. The topic is, do you put wax rings on the toilet or on the flange? Seems like most pros put them on the flange, but the instructions say to put them on the toilet. I’ve even put one on each, for a double-decker.
What do you do?
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Replies
Flange. (but i've only done it 15 times or so)
I think the deal is that you put them on the toilet so that when you don't come down square on the flange target you don't smear or cut the edge of the wax away with the little horn of the toilet, causing it to leak.
However, after the ring falls off the bottom of the toilet 2 or 3 times as you lift it in a confined space you tend to put the ring on the flange and hope for the best. After you place toilets a few times you will get to be accurate and you can put the ring anywhere you want.
Ditto. The ring may adhere to a clean, new toilet, but not to a "used" one.For confined spaces I rest the bowl on two pieces of 2x4 on edge, get things lined up, flatten the 2x4s, double-check alignment, then pull the 2x4s out. Otherwise you've got to be standing on your head to eyeball the bolts and ring while lowering the bowl.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
"Otherwise you've got to be standing on your head to eyeball the bolts and ring while lowering the bowl."
Here's a tip I saw somewhere, and tried recently, that worked pretty well. Stick a couple of soda straws over the flange bolts and use 'em to line up the toilet holes to the bolts as you lower it. Tried it recently and it worked well.Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PAEverything fits, until you put glue on it.
I've always put them on the toilet (done thousands), and in settling the bowl in place, use the closet bolts as a guide to eyeball the alignment as I lower the bowl.
Other plumbers set the wax on the flange, and they don't have problems either, so I guess this is one of those happy little deals that comes down to your preference.
Wax ring on toilet.
I make sure toilet drain horn is dry and smash the new ring in place pretty well using the "release" paper from the new ring's package -- dry + smashed on = no fall off.
A clean bit of the old wax ring holds the new toilet bolts in position in the flange for alignment purposes.
Only done a couple dozen for practice, this technique seems to work the best for me.
Jim
I keep the bolts aligned by putting a low profile nut on them. Same with the tank to base bolts. I put a nut under the tank to seal the gasket on the bolt and another under the base to snug the tank down. Nuts are your friend.
I follow directions.
What do you do?
Depends on how I feel that day.
If you put the wax on the flange, it helps hold the bolts still while you wiggle the toilet to set if down over them. If you put the wax on the toilet, you can't kneel on it accidentally....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Not sure I get it... why would you kneel on a toilet (I've knelt in front of them a time or two) and how does putting wax on a toilet keep you from kneeling on it? I could see it causing you to slip off, maybe even fall in but...
PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
how does putting wax on a toilet keep you from kneeling on it?
He tried to say that he kneels on the wax ring on the flange."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Just a poorly worded joke (henceforth to be known as a "Sotomayor")...PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
"SOtomayer"? I thought that was a politician from Southern ToledoTFB (Bill)
I'd use something other than a wax ring.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
I've put them on the flange and been really really careful in setting down the toilet.
But for the last couple of times, I've used the tube with the neoprene collar (I think Flushmaster bought the company that originated it).
Sheesh... I never read the directions, maybe I ought to have, but I've always put it on the flange assuming that the closet bolts would steer me to the right location.
Scott.
I put deepseals on the flange & standard ones on the toilet.
as a complete dweeb and dyi. explain deepseals, please????
Thanks
A deepseal is a wax ring that has the additional horn (or as in the link below they call it a flange).
View Image
William H. Harvey 001005-24 Toilet Bowl Wax Ring with Flange by William H. Harvey
Buy new:
$3.39$1.396 Used & new from $1.39
In Stock
Home & Garden: See all 112 items
More important than flange or toilet mounting is making sure the toilet sets down evenly, so that one side of the ring does not overcompress during install. I set the toilet on plywood blocks and slowly lower evenly. The thickness of the wax ring is determined by floor height. Another secret is to run a short bead of clear caulk on both sides so that the toilet never rocks during "cleanup operations."
What is this with worrying about the bolts staying in place.That is what the little plastic disk with the slots are for. The act as "speed nuts". Slip them over the ends and push down and the hold the bolts in place..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
"6 Used & new from $1.39" ... how miserly does someone have to be to buy a used wax ring? :-)
Whenever possible I "borrow" someone else's chisel to remove old wax rings. My reasoning is they shouldn't have left it lying around in the bottom of their toolbox if they didn't want me using it.
If its cold I warm up the wax ring in a microwave so it squishes down and seals easier.
And if the HO doesn't have a microwave, you ask his MIL to come in and have a seat?
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
How would ya like to have the job of the factory refurbisher?
So now I have the image in my head that somewhere there is a small factory where they melt down old wax seals in large vats and cool them in molds. Thanks.
More importantly, how many ears must be cleaned to get enough wax to make one ring?
:)
I find the flange is better for the wax ring. Lines up better and no turning the toilet over to stick the ring to.
I also use a mirror leaning on the wall to help see whats happening as I lower the toilet.
Hi Mike,
I deleted the first post after I realized that it wasn't right for me to judge the way other people do things. I had a homeowner tell me that he put the wax ring on the toilet to install it and to me that was funny seeing that I've set about 50 toilets in my career, I just couldn't see why anyone would want to risk doing it that way verses just laying it over the flange. But once I posted it I was quickly reminded by the good people here at Breaktime that the instructions actually do tell you to do it that way, and after reading through the posts in your thread, it seems other people still do it that way, so, who am I to judge.
Hey, we all judge. I've been walking a homeowner through finishing a house we built 90% of last year before he ran out of money. Pretty hilarious some of the questions he comes up with. It's also interesting to see a different perspective sometimes.
If I have some blue tape, I place the toilet with no ring first and use the tape to mark the perimeter. Then I set the ring on the floor.
The "deep flange" ones are meant to go on the floor, it seems. That way you can use the finger hole to remove the plastic cover after you smush it down , right?
I place the toilet with no ring first and use the tape to mark the perimeter.
I've never really had a problem setting the toilet down in the right spot, but that's a great tip you've got right there. It's almost embarrassingly obvious. Think about sending it in to Tips and Techniques.
When I check for rocking (dry fit before the ring) I usually mark with a pencil around the perimeter in a few places, does the same thing. Also mark around any shims I add.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
The "deep flange" ones are meant to go on the floor, it seems. That way you can use the finger hole to remove the plastic cover after you smush it down , right?
Yup