I've had mixed luck with wax-free too. They're handy if your flange is a bit off, but honestly, nothing beats wax for reliability if you prep right. Quick tip—if your floor's uneven, try doubling up the wax rings (one regular and one thicker). Messy, yeah, but it usually does the trick. Saved me from repeat visits more than once...
Doubling up wax rings can work, but honestly, I prefer using flange extenders if the floor's uneven or the flange sits too low. They're pretty straightforward—just stack 'em up to the right height, seal with silicone, and screw them down securely. Less messy than double wax, and I've found they're more reliable long-term. Wax-free seals have their place, sure, but nothing beats a properly leveled flange setup for peace of mind...and fewer callbacks.
I've tried flange extenders before, and yeah, they're neat in theory, but honestly, my experience wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Maybe it was just my luck or the brand I picked, but even after stacking and sealing them carefully, I still ended up with a slow leak a few months down the line. Ended up having to redo the whole thing anyway.
Funny enough, I went back to the double wax ring method—messy as it is—and haven't had an issue since. Sure, it's not the cleanest or most elegant solution, but sometimes the old-school methods stick around for a reason. Not knocking flange extenders entirely, just saying they're not always the foolproof fix they're made out to be. Maybe it's just me, but plumbing always seems to find a way to humble you...
"Maybe it's just me, but plumbing always seems to find a way to humble you..."
Haha, truer words have never been spoken. Plumbing has a special knack for keeping us all modest. Anyway, flange extenders can definitely be hit or miss depending on the brand and how they're installed. I've seen them work flawlessly, but I've also had my fair share of headaches with them.
If you're finding the double wax ring method reliable but messy, you might want to give wax-free toilet seals a shot. They're made from flexible rubber or foam and create a tight seal without the sticky mess. I've used them in a few emergency repairs, and they've held up surprisingly well—no leaks yet (knock on wood). Just make sure your flange isn't too far below floor level; otherwise, even the best seal can struggle.
But hey, if the double wax ring is working for you, no shame in sticking with what you know. Plumbing is one of those things where "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" really applies...unless it breaks again, of course. Good luck!
I've had mixed luck with those wax-free seals myself. A couple quick thoughts:
- Wax-free seals are definitely cleaner and easier to handle, but they can be pricier depending on the brand.
- If your flange is uneven or sits too low, even the rubber ones can struggle to seal properly.
- Honestly, I've stuck with double wax rings for years because they're cheap and reliable...even if they're messy as heck.
Plumbing really does have a twisted sense of humor sometimes, doesn't it? Good luck getting things sorted out.
