Been there with the midnight toilet drama—nothing like scrambling for towels and cursing your previous “quick fix” at 2am. You’re spot on about rubber gaskets being a solid choice for uneven floors or when you just don’t want to deal with the wax mess. Here’s a few things I’ve picked up along the way:
- Rubber gaskets are forgiving. If you misalign, you can lift and reset without destroying the seal or making a mess. That’s a lifesaver when you’re tired and just want to get it done.
- Wax rings still have their place, especially on perfectly level flanges. They’re cheap and reliable, but yeah, once they’re down, they’re down. No second chances.
- Flange height is everything. If it’s too low, even the best gasket or wax won’t save you from leaks. I used to think “close enough” would work... learned otherwise after a surprise puddle.
- Flange extenders are underrated. They seem like overkill until you realize how much time and headache they save compared to stacking multiple wax rings or fighting with leaks.
Honestly, chasing leaks is the worst. It always seems like the “easy fix” will save time, but it usually ends up being more work in the long run. I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit mopping up water and re-seating toilets because I didn’t want to deal with an extender.
Props for sticking with it and figuring out what works for your setup. Sometimes trial and error is the only way to really learn what holds up in your specific situation. At least now you know your bathroom’s quirks better than anyone...
I get the love for rubber gaskets, but I’ve seen a few of those fail after a couple years—especially in older places where the floor flexes just a bit. Wax rings might be messy, but I trust them more for long-term rentals. Had one unit where a “no-wax” seal started leaking after tenants rocked the toilet too much. Maybe it’s just my luck, but sometimes old-school is less hassle in the end... even if it means scraping wax at 1am.
I hear you on the wax rings—nothing like that cold, sticky mess at 1am to remind you why you own a putty knife. I’ve tried those “no-wax” seals too, and honestly, they seem great until someone leans back a little too hard or the subfloor isn’t perfectly level. Then it’s a surprise puddle and a phone call you never want.
Ever tried stacking two wax rings for those uneven floors? I’ve had mixed results—sometimes it works, sometimes it just makes a bigger mess. Curious if anyone’s found a magic trick for old houses where the flange sits below the tile. Is there some secret product out there, or are we all just doomed to midnight wax scraping?
Stacking wax rings always made me nervous—seems like a recipe for leaks if things shift even a little. I’ve heard about those flange extension kits, but I’m not sure how well they hold up over time. Has anyone had luck with those, or do they just create new problems down the line?
Yeah, stacking wax rings always felt like a gamble to me too—one good nudge and you’re back to square one with a soggy floor. I’ve used flange extension kits a few times, especially in older buildings where the floor’s been retiled and the flange sits too low. Here’s what I’ve noticed:
- The solid PVC extension rings (with longer screws) seem to hold up better than those thin plastic spacers.
- Make sure you use silicone around the extension, not just under it, or you’ll get seepage over time.
- If the flange is cracked or wobbly, no extension kit will save you—replace or repair that first.
Haven’t had any callbacks yet, but I always double-check for movement before setting the toilet. Still, nothing beats getting the flange height right from the start... but we don’t always get that luxury in rentals.
