Yeah, wax rings can be sneaky. One thing I've learned the hard way is to dry-fit everything first—no wax, no sealant, just set it all in place and check alignment. Then mark positions lightly with a pencil. Makes it way easier to spot if something's off before committing. Still, even then, stuff happens...like when I realized my flange was slightly warped only after tightening everything down. DIY keeps you humble, that's for sure.
- Good tip on the dry-fitting. Wish I'd read this last weekend before I tackled my own toilet install...
- Thought I had everything lined up perfectly, but didn't even think to check if the flange was warped. Now you've got me wondering if mine might be off too.
- DIY really does have a way of showing you exactly how much you don't know, lol. But hey, at least we're learning something new each time we mess up, right?
- Honestly, stories like yours make me feel better about my own mishaps. Glad I'm not the only one figuring things out the hard way.
Dry-fitting definitely saves headaches later on, but honestly, even pros overlook warped flanges sometimes. I've seen installs where everything looked perfect until the toilet rocked just enough to cause leaks down the road. DIY is great for learning, but some things you only pick up after a few mishaps. Curious though, did you guys use wax rings or switch to those newer wax-free seals? I've found the wax-free ones way more forgiving if things aren't perfectly level...
"DIY is great for learning, but some things you only pick up after a few mishaps."
Couldn't agree more with this. Even after years in the trade, I've had my share of "learning moments"—like the time I trusted a flange that looked fine at first glance, only to find out later it was slightly warped and caused a slow leak. Lesson learned: always double-check with a level and shim if needed.
About the wax vs wax-free seals, I've been leaning toward wax-free lately too. They're definitely more forgiving, especially if the flange isn't perfectly flush or level. Plus, they're way less messy to handle. Wax rings still have their place, though—especially if you're dealing with older plumbing setups or uneven floors where you might need that extra thickness. But for most standard installs these days, wax-free is my go-to.
Either way, dry-fitting and checking stability before sealing everything up is key. Saves you from those dreaded callbacks or, worse, flooding your own bathroom...
I've definitely learned the hard way that DIY plumbing isn't always as straightforward as it seems. One thing that caught me off guard early on was assuming all toilet flanges were standardized—big mistake. Turns out, older homes sometimes have flanges set at odd heights or angles, making what seemed like a quick swap become a weekend project. Ever had to shim a toilet more than you expected because the flange was recessed too deep?
Regarding wax-free seals, I agree they're handy, especially for beginners or tricky installs. But I've noticed they can be a bit pricier and sometimes harder to find locally. Wax rings, messy as they are, at least have the advantage of being universally available and pretty cheap if you need to redo them. Another issue I've run into with wax-free seals is compatibility—some brands seem to work better with certain toilet models than others. Has anyone else noticed compatibility quirks with specific wax-free seals?
Also, speaking of dry-fitting: one tip I'd add is to always test-fit the bolts and washers too. Nothing worse than realizing mid-installation that the hardware supplied isn't quite right or the bolts are too short after you've already compressed your seal. I learned that one after an emergency hardware store run halfway through an install...not my favorite way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
In general, though, plumbing is one of those areas where caution and prep pay off big time. Even small oversights can lead to expensive issues down the line, so it's worth taking your time and double-checking everything before sealing things up.
