Why plumbers putty on base of toilet??

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I know this may be a strange question but here it goes. Why do you put plumbers putter around the base of the toilet when you install it? I think if there was a leak around the wax ring and the plumbers putty was used it would seal in the water and cause the floor to rot around it. Without the putty the water would come out from the base of the toilet and you can then see the leak and fix it. Comments?? Thanks Stan
 
That's why in some areas, the inspectors insist that you don't seal all the way around the bowl.

Trapped water under the bowl can cause rot.
I don't use plumbers putty either.
It has oils that will discolor some floors.

I prefer something like PolySeamSeal.

loctite-tub-tile.jpg
 
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I agree with Terry

Terry is right. I read from books that you may want to leave behind unsealed, just in case there is water leakage down below.
 
grout

I found that toilet manufacturers don't make toilet bowls that won't wobble and when you couple that with a ceramic floor that's hard to get perfectly level, you do have to shim and grout, not calk, to make the setting of the toilet solid. I prefer to come close to the color of the grout in the tile.
 
can't get the wobble out? I loosen the bolts, jam pennies around different points that can fit them and cinch the toilet down again, works every single time... and I sometimes leave them uncaulked, sometimes the owner specifically asks for none...

I've never put plumbers putty under there!
 
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wobble

Pennies are temporary unless you grout right away.
If you want a good finished job I think you should grout and not calk, unless it's a job that gets inspected and is required.
 
putty

"Decades" ago plumber's putty was used to set the toilets, like the wax rings are used now. But even then the putty was not used to seal around the base of the toilet. It does not bond to the toilet and floor, nor does it harden up within any reasonable time, so it will not prevent "wiggles". It can stain the floor and will discolor over time.
spider_crawl.gif

Here, the inspectors specifically look at the bottom rear of the toilet to be sure that spot was not left uncaulked.
spider_crawl.gif
 
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putty

Putty will do in a pinch.
But what plumber won't have wax rings on the truck?
I think that you were short changed.
 
Often a bead of putty on top of the wax ring will be used to ensure a good seal. This is different from using it to set the base of the toilet.
 
finnegan said:
Often a bead of putty on top of the wax ring will be used to ensure a good seal. This is different from using it to set the base of the toilet.
Click to expand...

BINGO!! I learn things everyday on this forum. Never thought of that... Thanks,
Regards, Tom :)
 
Wax is supposed stick to the bottom of the toilet. That's why they don't glaze the bottom of toilets.
I don't really see why wax wouldn't be used, since it does such a good job of sticking to the toilet.
 
putty

Putty certainly won't help and will hinder a good seal.
I would never do that.
 
seal

IF the gap between the toilet and flange is the correct distance, then using putty will not accomplish anything and may defeat the purpose of the wax seal. It will not adhere to the toilet and the oil in it will prevent it from sticking to the wax. When the toilet is placed in position, the putty will either spread out if it is soft enough, or indent the wax if it has slightly hardened. But in either case, the amount of material between the flange and toilet will be the same, regardless of what that material is.
 
hj said:
IF the gap between the toilet and flange is the correct distance, then using putty will not accomplish anything and may defeat the purpose of the wax seal. It will not adhere to the toilet and the oil in it will prevent it from sticking to the wax. When the toilet is placed in position, the putty will either spread out if it is soft enough, or indent the wax if it has slightly hardened. But in either case, the amount of material between the flange and toilet will be the same, regardless of what that material is.
Click to expand...

OK.............. cancel the tip about using putty on the wax ring. Thanks..... :)
 
OK, what IS the correct distance?

hj said:
IF the gap between the toilet and flange is the correct distance, then using putty will not accomplish anything and may defeat the purpose of the wax seal. It will not adhere to the toilet and the oil in it will prevent it from sticking to the wax. When the toilet is placed in position, the putty will either spread out if it is soft enough, or indent the wax if it has slightly hardened. But in either case, the amount of material between the flange and toilet will be the same, regardless of what that material is.
Click to expand...

Does this "correct distance" vary with the toilet, wax ring, etc.?
 
putty

If you need more thickness, just reach down and pinch the seal to make it stand a little taller or take a second seal and slice off as much as you need.

You need some excess wax.............
 
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