I've actually given one of those foam gasket seals a shot recently. Honestly, installation was a breeze compared to wrestling with wax rings (no more sticky fingers, yay!). It's been holding up pretty well so far—about 6 months in and no leaks yet. But I have heard from friends that they're not always great if your floor isn't perfectly level. Might be worth a try if you're feeling adventurous, but keep the wax handy just in case...
I've been skeptical of those foam seals myself, mostly because I've always stuck with wax rings out of habit. But your experience is encouraging—6 months without leaks is pretty solid. I agree, though, floor leveling is a big factor. Even wax rings can fail if the floor isn't level, so it's not just a foam gasket issue.
If anyone's thinking of trying this, I'd suggest first checking your floor carefully with a level. If it's slightly off, you might be able to shim the toilet base a bit to compensate. Just make sure you don't overtighten the bolts when doing this—cracking porcelain is a whole other headache (trust me, been there).
Anyway, props for giving it a shot and sharing your experience. It's good to hear firsthand feedback rather than just marketing claims. Hope it continues to hold up well for you.
Your experience is reassuring since I've been debating giving foam a try myself—wax rings have always been my go-to, mostly out of caution. Totally agree about the leveling issue, though. Had a friend who installed a new toilet without checking the floor carefully... ended up with water seeping out within weeks. Shimming can definitely help, but like you said, gotta be gentle tightening those bolts. Glad it's working out for you so far, fingers crossed it stays leak-free!
Yeah, leveling is key. I've seen toilets leak even with a perfect wax seal just because the floor was slightly off. Curious about foam too, but still hesitant—heard mixed reviews on durability. Maybe I'll test it in the basement bathroom first...
Honestly, foam seals aren't as sketchy as some folks make them out to be. I've used them a few times now, and so far, zero issues—even with slightly uneven floors. But you're right about leveling; no seal will save you if the toilet's rocking like a boat on rough seas...
I had a client once who swore his wax seal was perfect, but he kept getting leaks. Turned out his floor had this sneaky little dip you couldn't even see without a level. Shimmed it up, problem solved. If you're hesitant about foam, testing it in the basement bathroom first sounds smart—low-risk area if things go south. But honestly, I bet you'll end up liking it. Just make sure you get a quality brand and don't cheap out... trust me, you'll thank yourself later.
