Foam gaskets are like those fancy gadgets that sound great until you actually need them to work. I’ve had one squish out of place because the floor was a hair off-level—cue midnight mop-up. Wax is messy, but at least it doesn’t judge your subfloor.
Wax is messy, but at least it doesn’t judge your subfloor.
That’s a fair point, but I can’t help but wonder if we’re just trading one headache for another. Wax rings are tried and true, but they’re single-use and not exactly eco-friendly. I’ve had to toss a couple after botched installs, and it always feels wasteful. Has anyone found a reusable or compostable option that actually works? Or are we just stuck choosing between landfill and midnight floods?
Has anyone found a reusable or compostable option that actually works? Or are we just stuck choosing between landfill and midnight floods?
I’ve tried those wax-free rubber gaskets (like Fluidmaster’s), and honestly, they’re way less messy. You can reposition them if you mess up the install, which is a lifesaver. Not compostable, but at least you’re not tossing out a wax ring every time. Haven’t seen a truly eco-friendly version yet, though. If someone invents a compostable one that doesn’t leak, I’m all in. For now, rubber’s the best compromise I’ve found.
Yeah, I hear you on the rubber gaskets—they’re a game changer compared to the old wax rings. I’ve swapped out a few at 2am and not having to scrape wax off the floor is a win in my book. Still wish someone would crack the compostable code, though. For now, I’ll take less mess over landfill guilt any day.
Rubber gaskets have saved me more headaches than I can count. Here’s what I’ve noticed after years of dealing with midnight toilet emergencies:
- Swapping out wax rings used to be the worst part—especially in older units where the flange isn’t level. Wax would get everywhere, and you’d end up scraping for ages.
- Rubber seals are cleaner, but I’ve had a couple that didn’t seat right the first time. Not a huge deal, but it’s worth double-checking before you bolt everything down.
- I hear you on the compostable angle. Honestly, I’d love to see something that breaks down but still holds a seal for years. Right now, I’ll take the convenience over eco-guilt, too.
- One weird thing: in one of my rentals, the new-style gasket actually compressed too much and started leaking after a few months. Maybe a fluke, but I keep a couple wax rings around just in case.
Bottom line, less mess is always better at 2am... but I’m not tossing my old-school tricks just yet.
