Wax Ring Replace (Toilet Placement)

Molo · May 22, 2011

Hi,

When removing a toilet for wax ring replacement where is the best place to set the toilet. I ask because it seems impossible to remove all of the water prior to tipping it on it's back for applying the wax ring.
Is there a way to remove ALL of the water, or should I be looking at a large tub to set the toilet into (not the bathtub?)

Thanks,
Bill

Jadnashua · May 22, 2011

A sponge can get most of the water out, but, the pros set the wax on the flange, then set the toilet down over it rather than placing the wax on the toilet, and having it fall off when they pick up up again. I know what the instructions say, but it does work better the other way!

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

BobL43 · May 22, 2011

I use my wet/dry shop vac to remove the remaining waste in the tank and the bowl.

BobL43 · May 22, 2011

I meant remaing WATER

Jadnashua · May 22, 2011

Most shop vacs suck water just fine, and that's what he meant!?

Molo · May 22, 2011

jadnashua said:
A sponge can get most of the water out, but, the pros set the wax on the flange, then set the toilet down over it rather than placing the wax on the toilet, and having it fall off when they pick up up again. I know what the instructions say, but it does work better the other way!

If it is possible to set the ring on the flange and not the toilet I am certainly going to start doing this. Are there any tricks to this method?

Gary Swart · May 22, 2011

I find this to be helpful for me. After you put the flange bolt in place, screw a nut down the bolt to hold the bolt upright and in position on the flange. There is plenty of room under the toilet to do this. Now the bolt is standing straight up and will remain in place even if bumped by the toilet when you lower it on to the wax ring. As noted, a wax ring is set on the flange first. A waxless ring works best if you mount it on the toilet first. That is NOT what the installation instructions say, but that's what the pros do. I use a shop vac and sponge to get the water out of the tank and bowl.

LLigetfa · May 22, 2011

If replacing a wax ring, the old wax would have squeezed under and around the bolts pretty much holding them in place. I've always just set the new ring on the flange. Can't say that I ever read the instructions so didn't know there was any other way to do it.

Molo · May 22, 2011

Gary Swart said:
I find this to be helpful for me. After you put the flange bolt in place, screw a nut down the bolt to hold the bolt upright and in position on the flange. There is plenty of room under the toilet to do this. Now the bolt is standing straight up and will remain in place even if bumped by the toilet when you lower it on to the wax ring. As noted, a wax ring is set on the flange first. A waxless ring works best if you mount it on the toilet first. That is NOT what the installation instructions say, but that's what the pros do. I use a shop vac and sponge to get the water out of the tank and bowl.

I agree, it is much easier to place a nut on the bolt to hold it in place while setting the toilet. You still have to be careful not to turn the bolt during tightening as it can slip out of the flange. It seems like a lot of problems would be solved if the flanges had bolts built into them.
I've been inspired to try setting a toilet on the wax ring, rather than install the ring on the toilet first.

Thanks,
Bill

Gary Swart · May 23, 2011

Molo, the way flange bolts are configured, flat, oblong heads, it is not likely you will turn the bolt when tightening. You should not use brute force when tightening them anyway, the primary purpose of the flange bolt is to prevent the toilet from moving, not to squeeze the toilet into the wax. Just your body weight should compress the toilet into the wax.

Jadnashua · May 23, 2011

And, I might add, if the toilet is mounted on a tiled floor, the bolts likely WON'T hold it from moving. This is a second reason to use some caulk around it. The first reason for caulk is to prevent dirty mop water, stray urine, etc., from finding its way underneath where it is nearly impossible to clean it properly.

Wax Ring Replace (Toilet Placement)

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