Why plumbers putty on base of toilet??

[stash]

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

[Terry]

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.

[PlumberWannabeJr]

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

[plumber1]

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.

[Kristi]

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!

[plumber1]

Who uses plumbers putty?

[Kristi]

I don't know, who uses plumbers putty? I might have commented on that from Stan's original post... :o

[plumber1]

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.

[hj]

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

[RBrown]

My plumber used putty instead of a wax ring to set my Champion toilet. So far so good.

[plumber1]

Putty will do in a pinch.
But what plumber won't have wax rings on the truck?
I think that you were short changed.

[finnegan]

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.

[Snowman]

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.

BINGO!! I learn things everyday on this forum. Never thought of that... Thanks,
Regards, Tom :)

[Terry]

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.

[plumber1]

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

[hj]

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.

[Snowman]

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.

OK.............. cancel the tip about using putty on the wax ring. Thanks..... :)

[Dunbar Plumbing]

I am constantly pulling up old toilets in my area where plumber's putty was used under the toilet as a rule, not the exception. I always use wax rings without the horn built into the ring.

[Mikey]

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.

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

[plumber1]

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.............

[jadnashua]

The flange should sit firmly on top of the finished flooring. BUT, if for whatever reason, it doesn't, you may need a thicker wax or to build up the flange. The flange cannot be too high, or you will not get the toilet to sit flush, either. That can't happen if it is installed properly.

[jeffreyhel]

Here in NJ the code says where the toilet base meets the floor MUST be sealed. Grout and caulking are acceptable. The theory is that men are pigs and miss the toilet all the time and thus urine will end up under the toilet where it cannot be cleaned unless you pull the toilet. I have pulled up plenty of toilets that were not sealed and probably around 30-40% had urine stains or smells of it.

[jadnashua]

Note, sealing around the base of the toilet and using plumber's putty on the flange are two different things. One is generally considered good, and the other is not. My unprofessional opinion.

[plumber1]

I have reset many a toilet that was sealed with all kinds of calk on vinyl or ceramic. And there is usually smelly garbage under there. I've found that that seal or calk, comes away from one surface or the other. So now it's lost it's purpose.

Just one mans opinion, is its done for cosmetic reasons or to please some inspectors.

Also it's done to help level a toilet bowl.

I like to use my best judgement on an individual basis....

[Snowman]

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.............

Now this is one of those tips that needs to be put on a "sticky" at the top of the page..... In my opinion. When I installed my sister-in-law's Toto Dalton , I was surprised to find that the flange was just a little low. Anyway, the Toto did not "grab" as much of the wax seal as I expected. On mine the base of the Toto actually was up off the floor, resting on the wax ring. Had to just about sit on it to make it go down.

So, I did just what you suggested. I went around the wax ring on the flange and pinched the wax ring enough to raise it just a little. Everything went fine. Excellent tip.
Thanks, Tom :)

[RBrown]

Putty will do in a pinch.
But what plumber won't have wax rings on the truck?
I think that you were short changed.


My plumber likes to set toilets in putty because he feels it makes a better job. He says he's seen toilets that have been set in putty for over forty years. Like I said, so far so good.

[Cass]

I also have seen many toilets that were set with putty. Every call that was on a toilet set with putty was for a leak at the flange. Why am I not surprised. When the seasons change you get movement from changes in temp & humidity this makes wood, concrete, ceramic, Ect. expand and contract which = movement. Wax will move with these slight changes putty will not and can cause a leak.
/
As far as caulking the base of the toilet my area does not have a code or if they do they do not enforce it. Personally I would never caulk the base. In my area many homes are on crawl spaces and a caulked base will just trap a leak and sooner or later cause a lino stain, rot the floor or ruin a ceiling or all 3. In fact I had 1 customer call whos plumber had installed a new lino floor and toilet, she was calling because the lino was turning black from an incorectly set wax ring but no one knew the leak was there, because of the caulk, until it was to late. If the purpose is to prevent urine odor from a "missed shots" there are enzime cleaners that can be sprayed at and under the base that will eliminate the odor. I can't tell you how many caulked toilets I have pulled that have caused many $$$$$ worth of damage.
Just my $15.00 worth. (inflation has increased the $.02)

[countryboy]

the offset toilet flange in my master bath is oblong in shape, I haven't been able to find any way to seal a toilet to it other than plumbers putty. It works fine until the wife knocks the shims out when cleaning. It usually lasts around five years (she cleans more than that)

[plumber1]

Yes, but 50 or 60 or so years ago the plumbers used a very different kind of putty that would set rock hard and hold the bowl down fast to the floor. A different animal.
Over the years I've known many a plumber and none would use putty for a setting seal.....

[Cass]

the offset toilet flange in my master bath is oblong in shape, I haven't been able to find any way to seal a toilet to it other than plumbers putty. It works fine until the wife knocks the shims out when cleaning. It usually lasts around five years (she cleans more than that)

I understand that it is oblong. What I don't understand is why you can't take a wax ring and mold it to the shape of the oblong flange and then you are using wax and not putty.

[bigrebnc1861]

I think that this question has been asked, but I will ask it any way, who uses plumbers putty on a toliet base? Plumbers putty made now is differant then what they had 40 to 50 years ago, it won't hold up because it dries out and will crack.

[PJM]

I guess the best way is to caulk or putty around the the base to block out any "misses" & help level BUT, leave a small gap in the back in case the wax ring leaks. I've read this on other websites too.

[hj]

Plumber's putty has oil in it, so if it is put on top of a wax seal, they will NOT bond together.

[dripdripdrip]

And since it has oil in it, it WILL STAIN the grout that it comes into contact with if you use it to line the base of the toilet (and can cause you to incorrectly think that you have a leak and pull up the toilet to redo the wax seal unnecessarily)!:mad:


Plumber's putty has oil in it, so if it is put on top of a wax seal, they will NOT bond together.

[jadnashua]

Use caulk around the toilet base, not plumber's putty.

[dripdripdrip]

yup - unfortunately, in my case, it was the first toilet I'd ever replaced and that's what the instruction sheet that came with the toilet recommended to do. :(


Use caulk around the toilet base, not plumber's putty.