Water around flange?

Hi folks, very novice DIYer here. This site is a terrific resource, so thanks to Mr. Love for hosting and all of the information.

Questions are:

(1) We had a slow leak at the base of one of our toilets. Presumed wax ring leak. I removed the toilet and changed out the wax ring, but still leaking. I am going to try the wax-free kit next.

The only thing that was strange was that when I removed the toilet and the old wax ring from the flange, there was water around the flange. Is this supposed to be there? I am presuming that this is present because the prior wax ring was leaky. But just want to make sure this is a typical finding. Should I just sop it up with towels???

(2) We apparently have an offset flange. Can I still use the wax free kit or should I use a standard wax kit?

Thanks in advance and sorry for asking probably obvious questions.

If you have an offset flange, it needs to be wax. The waxless need a portion of straight pipe to work.

If your flange is lower than the finished floor, you need to either raise the flange, or use two wax rings.

Thanks Terry!

I did use an extra thick wax ring, but I will try 2 wax rings this next time.

Also, thoughts about the water around the flange?

many offset flanges have an oval opening, you have to form the wax to match that shape. Also, if the toilet moves at all after you smush it down, you'll break the seal and it will leak. Offset flanges are generally evil...and to be avoided. There's a thread going on here about it and some reasonable choices (like an offset that doesn't have an oval opening).

jadnashua said:

many offset flanges have an oval opening, you have to form the wax to match that shape. Also, if the toilet moves at all after you smush it down, you'll break the seal and it will leak. Offset flanges are generally evil...and to be avoided. There's a thread going on here about it and some reasonable choices (like an offset that doesn't have an oval opening).

Click to expand...

Thanks.. I saw the thread.. this is not my doing, but I can live with it. Thanks for the tip on the movement.. that's exactly what happened.

Any thoughts about the water around the flange?? Sorry to be so persistent but that's my main concern.

Have you ruled out other sources of the leak?

Look behind and between the tank and bowl using a flashlight, and flush the toilet a couple of times.

Well, I took the toilet apart and everything looked great and the water was coming from underneath the toilet, not between the tank and bowl, so I presumed it was the wax.

Water could easily be leaking down the back of the tank and/or bowl and end up at the base of the toilet. But the toilet has to be operational to see if that is the case.