I hear you on the wax rings—foam just feels risky, especially if you’re not planning to check under there every few months. Ever had a wax ring fail in winter? Not fun. I always double-check the floor for any soft spots before I even start, just in case there’s hidden damage. Those sleeves are a lifesaver, but I still keep a towel handy for that first flush... just in case. Anyone ever tried doubling up on wax for old, uneven floors? Worth it, or just overkill?
Doubling up on wax always seemed like a band-aid to me, honestly. I tried it once in an old duplex with a sloped floor, and it worked for about six months—then the leak came back, and the subfloor was even worse. Ended up having to pull the toilet, replace the flange, and patch the floor anyway. These days, I’d rather shim and use an extra-thick wax ring or even a flange extender if things are really uneven. Wax on wax just feels like asking for trouble down the line.
Wax on wax just feels like asking for trouble down the line.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen too many folks try to stack wax rings thinking it’ll solve an uneven flange, but it’s just a short-term fix. Flange extenders or repair rings are way more reliable if you’re dealing with a bad floor or low flange. Curious—did you end up using composite shims under the toilet, or did you go with something else to level it out? Sometimes I see people use coins or even folded cardboard... not ideal, but desperate times at midnight, right?
Sometimes I see people use coins or even folded cardboard... not ideal, but desperate times at midnight, right?
Funny you mention that—I actually did end up using a couple of old playing cards under one side when I first moved in. Not my proudest DIY moment, but it held up until I could get the right shims. I get the argument for flange extenders, but isn’t there a risk of leaks if you don’t get the height just right? Wax rings seem a little more forgiving in that sense, at least for a newbie like me.
Playing cards, huh? That’s a new one for me—beats the stack of napkins I once found under a wobbly toilet at a rental. Desperate times, desperate measures, right?
About flange extenders, you’re not wrong to be a little cautious.
Yeah, if you stack them too high or don’t get a good seal, you can end up with a mess. But honestly, if you follow the instructions and make sure the extender sits flush with the finished floor (or just a hair above), you’re usually in the clear. The real trouble starts when folks try to fudge it with random stuff—like coins, or, well, playing cards. Wax rings are forgiving to a point, but they’re not magic. If the flange is way too low, even a double-thick wax ring can squish out and leave you with leaks down the road.“isn’t there a risk of leaks if you don’t get the height just right?”
I’ve seen people try to “build up” with extra wax, or even stack two rings, but that’s just asking for trouble. The wax only does its job if it’s compressed just right. Too much, and it’ll ooze out. Too little, and you get gaps. Flange extenders are actually pretty reliable if you take your time. I get that they seem intimidating, but honestly, they’re less risky than a wobbly toilet on a house of cards (literally, in your case).
If you’re ever in a pinch again, plastic toilet shims are cheap and way sturdier than whatever’s lying around. I keep a pack in my toolbox for exactly that reason. But hey, we’ve all been there—midnight, water on the floor, and you’re just trying to keep the thing from rocking like a seesaw. No shame in a little creative problem-solving.
