Wax rings are forgiving, but they can’t fix a bad foundation. Sometimes feels like you’re just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best...
That’s spot on. No matter how good your wax ring or flange extension is, if the subfloor’s got any give, you’re asking for trouble down the line. I’ve seen folks try to “shim” their way out of a soft spot, but it’s just a temporary patch. The minute there’s movement, that seal’s compromised. One trick I’ve used—if you absolutely have to install over questionable subfloor—is to double up with a wax ring and a thin bead of silicone around the flange base. Not perfect, but it buys some time.
Still, nothing beats pulling up the toilet and checking the subfloor before you start stacking extensions. If there’s any sign of rot, even just a little discoloration or softness, it’s worth cutting it out and patching with new plywood. Takes longer, but saves a midnight flood call later. Those “quick fixes” always seem to come back at the worst possible hour...
Couldn’t agree more about checking the subfloor—ignoring it is just asking for a bigger headache later. I’d add: if you’re already in there, swap out any old particleboard for plywood or, better yet, a recycled composite board. It’s a bit pricier but holds up so much better if there’s ever a leak. I know some folks swear by doubling up wax rings, but honestly, I’ve had better luck with the newer wax-free seals. Less mess, and they’re reusable if you ever need to pull the toilet again. Just my two cents.
I get where you’re coming from with the wax-free seals, but I’ve actually had mixed results with them, especially in older houses where the flange isn’t perfectly level. Sometimes they just don’t compress quite right and I end up with a tiny leak. Old school wax rings are messy, yeah, but they sort of “fill in” weird gaps better for me. Maybe it’s just my luck or the houses I end up working on...
I’ve had a similar experience with the wax-free seals, especially in my old 60s ranch. The floor’s never totally level and I swear the flange is just a little too high on one side. Every time I try the newer style, it either doesn’t seat right or I get a slow leak that shows up a week later. Wax rings are a pain—sticky, awkward, and unforgiving if you misplace the toilet on the first go—but they do seem to handle those weird gaps and imperfections better.
Have you ever tried doubling up on the wax rings or using one of those flange extenders? I’ve read mixed stuff about stacking rings, but it seems like it might help if the flange isn’t quite where it should be. Or maybe there’s a trick to getting the wax-free ones to seal better on uneven floors? I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m missing some secret pro move that makes those things work right, because I keep seeing people swear by them.
Also curious if anyone’s had luck with those foam gasket things—never tried one myself, but I see them on the shelf and wonder if they’re just another gimmick. At this point, I almost expect every “improvement” to make things more complicated... but maybe that’s just me being stubborn.
Is there a point where it’s worth just biting the bullet and fixing the flange itself instead of trying to compensate with different seals? Or is that just opening a whole new can of worms?
I’ve doubled up on wax rings before, but honestly, it always feels like a band-aid. Sometimes it works, sometimes you’re back to square one with a slow leak. I did try one of those foam gaskets once—didn’t love it, felt squishy and weird, and I still ended up with a drip after a few weeks. The only thing that really solved it for me was biting the bullet and fixing the flange height with an extender kit. It was more work up front, but way less hassle long-term. If you’re already pulling the toilet every few months, might be worth just fixing the root issue instead of throwing more seals at it...
