“I usually go with a jumbo ring too, but I’ll double-check the flange height first. If it’s way too low, I’ll reluctantly use an extender, but only after making sure everything’s clean and dry underneath.”
- Have you tried the foam rings instead of wax? They’re a bit more forgiving when the flange isn’t perfect—less mess if you need to reset.
- I get the jumbo ring thing, but sometimes stacking just compresses weird and leaks anyway. Not a fan of doubling up unless there’s no other option.
- One thing I’ve noticed: if the subfloor’s even a little uneven, extenders can make things trickier. Sometimes shimming the flange is actually less trouble in the long run.
- Funny how something so basic can turn into a midnight project... Murphy’s Law in full effect.
Jumbo rings are supposed to be the “safe” option, but I’ve had them squish out the side and make a mess more than once. Like you said,
That’s been my experience too, especially in older houses where nothing is quite level.“sometimes stacking just compresses weird and leaks anyway.”
I’m curious about those foam rings—are they really worth the extra couple bucks? I always wonder if they’re just a gimmick or if they actually hold up better over time. Wax is cheap and easy to find, but man, it’s a pain if you have to pull the toilet back up. I’ve tried shimming the flange with those little plastic wedges before, but then I start worrying about long-term stability. Is it just me, or does every “quick fix” end up costing more in the long run?
And yeah, nothing like realizing you’re ankle-deep in water at 1am because a $2 ring failed... Murphy’s Law never takes a night off.
When The Toilet Floods At Midnight: My DIY Save
Foam rings are actually not a bad upgrade, especially if you’re dealing with uneven floors or an old flange that sits a bit low. They’re less messy than wax and you can reposition the toilet if you mess up the first time—huge plus. That said, I’ve seen them compress weird too if the floor’s way off level. Shims help, but yeah, you’re right, it always feels a bit sketchy stacking plastic under porcelain. Honestly, I’d rather spend a few extra bucks on a foam ring than mop up a flooded bathroom at 2am... but nothing’s totally foolproof. Murphy’s Law is undefeated.
but nothing’s totally foolproof. Murphy’s Law is undefeated.
I get the appeal of foam rings, but honestly, I’m still a bit wary. Wax might be messier, but I trust it to fill the weird gaps better, especially if your floor’s really uneven. I tried a foam one last year and ended up with a slow leak—maybe I just got unlucky. That said, I do like that you can reposition them, which is a lifesaver for someone who’s new to this. Still, I kind of feel like wax is the “set it and forget it” option, even if it’s old-school.
I hear you on the wax. It’s messy, but I’ve had fewer callbacks with it over the years. Foam rings are appealing in theory, but I’ve seen them fail on older, uneven floors—especially in some of my rentals with weird subfloor patches. Wax just seems to handle imperfections better, even if it’s a pain to clean up. Maybe technology will catch up one day, but for now, I’m sticking with what works... even if it means scraping up old wax every time.
