Shims are clutch, but sometimes I wonder if I’m building a toilet Jenga tower under there.
Honestly, I get the hesitation with shims, but if you’re stacking more than two, it’s probably time to address the subfloor itself. Wax-free seals are decent, but I’ve seen them leak if the flange isn’t perfectly level. Sometimes old-school wax is just more forgiving, especially in older homes where nothing’s square. Just my two cents—sometimes “what you know” really is the safer bet.
I hear you on the wax rings—tried a “waxless” seal once and ended up redoing the whole thing after a couple months. Maybe it’s just my luck, but the old-school wax seems to handle the weird angles you get in these older houses. I do wonder if there’s a better long-term fix for uneven floors that doesn’t cost a fortune. Cutting into the subfloor gets pricey and messy fast. Anyone ever tried those adjustable flanges? I keep seeing them at the hardware store but never pulled the trigger.
Toilet wax rings are like the duct tape of plumbing—ugly, sticky, but somehow they just work. I tried one of those “waxless” seals too, thinking I was being all modern and eco-conscious. Ended up with a mini indoor waterfall a few weeks later. Back to the beeswax for me.
Adjustable flanges have always tempted me when I’m wandering the plumbing aisle, but I chicken out at the last minute. The packaging makes it look so simple—just twist and go—but my gut says it’s never that easy, especially in these old houses where nothing is level and every “quick fix” turns into an afternoon of cursing at the floor.
I’m with you on not wanting to rip up subfloor unless absolutely necessary. The mess alone gives me flashbacks. Has anyone here tried shimming under the toilet base? I’ve read some folks use those composite shims (the kind that don’t rot), then caulk around the base to keep things watertight, but I wonder if that’s just asking for trouble down the line. Seems like a decent budget-friendly workaround though.
On the eco side, I always worry about using extra caulk or weird chemicals under there—last thing I want is some toxic goo leaching into the crawlspace. Anyone ever try cork gaskets or something more sustainable? Or is that just setting myself up for another midnight mop-up session?
I’ve wondered about those cork gaskets too, but I keep picturing them breaking down over time, especially if there’s any moisture sneaking in. Has anyone actually had one last more than a year or two? I’m always nervous about shimming under the toilet—seems like it could shift if the floor flexes at all. Is caulking around the base really enough to keep things stable, or does it just hide leaks until it’s too late?
Is caulking around the base really enough to keep things stable, or does it just hide leaks until it’s too late?
I get why you’re skeptical—caulk can definitely mask a slow leak if you’re not careful. I’ve seen cork gaskets hold up, but only in super dry spots. If your floor flexes much, shims can shift over time, especially the cheap plastic ones. I usually recommend a solid wax ring and checking for movement before sealing anything up. Caulk is more for aesthetics and keeping mop water out, not really for structural support.
