Been there, done that, and mopped up the mess at 2am. I once tried to “just shim it” instead of fixing the flange right—let’s just say my eco-friendly bamboo bath mat paid the price. I’m with you on the wax-free seals, though I still get nostalgic for the old-school wax rings (call me weird). And yeah, leaving a gap in the caulk is genius—learned that one after a surprise puddle turned into a full-on science experiment under my floorboards.
I hear you on the bamboo bath mat—mine never really recovered after a similar “midnight flood.” Wax-free seals are definitely easier, but I’m still not 100% convinced they last as long as the old wax rings. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, or maybe I’ve just had bad luck with a couple of the newer ones.
Curious if you’ve tried any of those so-called “eco” toilet seals? I saw one made from recycled rubber, but honestly, I’m skeptical about how well it holds up compared to the standard stuff. Also, do you bother with caulking all the way around, or just leave that gap at the back for leaks? I’ve read mixed advice and can’t decide if it’s worth the risk of water sneaking under the floor again.
Also, do you bother with caulking all the way around, or just leave that gap at the back for leaks?
I actually go against the grain and caulk all the way around—had a slow leak once that went unnoticed for ages because of that “inspection gap.” The water just found another path under the tile. As for those recycled rubber seals, tried one last year out of curiosity. No issues so far, but I’m still a bit wary about long-term durability. Wax rings are messy, but they’ve never let me down.
I’m with you on caulking all the way around. That “inspection gap” idea never made much sense to me—water’s going to do what it wants, and if there’s a leak, it’ll just sneak under the tile or baseboard anyway. I’ve seen more damage from hidden leaks than from a bit of trapped moisture. As for those rubber seals, I tried one once and it compressed weirdly after a year. Wax is messy, yeah, but at least you know what you’re dealing with.
That “inspection gap” idea never made much sense to me—water’s going to do what it wants, and if there’s a leak, it’ll just sneak under the tile or baseboard anyway.
Exactly. I’ve pulled up more than a few toilets where that so-called “inspection gap” just let water rot out the subfloor without anyone noticing. Full caulk bead keeps things visible and contained. As for those rubber seals, I’ve seen them fail too—especially if the flange isn’t perfectly level. Wax is messy, but at least it’s reliable if you set it right.
