BS
Member
Yesterday one of my toilets (Kohler Wellworth) started leaking under the base only when flushed. I just pulled the toilet and found the wax ring (with horn) pushed down on the leaking (left) side and up on the other. The wax above the plastic horn on the low (left) side was just about gone, exposing the plastic.
I installed the toilet (new) over three years ago after laying ceramic tile on the concrete floor. The toilet sat a little low on the left side and I shimmed it with rubber strips I had around, but I don't think I did a very good job. The toilet felt solid ever since, but I had noticed the water in the bowl hadn't been level for quite a while.
Here's the situation: The top of the flange is 1/8 to 1/4" above the finished ceramic tile floor and is actually a little HIGH on the left side. The top edge of the metal drain pipe is about 1-5/8" below the top of the flange. The toilet seems to sit fine, though a little LOW to the left, when I dry-fit it over the flange. Although the finished floor seems fairly flat, I think the cause of the toilet not sitting level is because one tile on the right side is a little bit higher than the others.
My questions:
I bought a wax ring with a horn but didn't realize it was "jumbo" until I took it out of the bag this morning. I should be able to use it without problem, correct? I also know some of you prefer wax rings without horns. Would my horned jumbo work in my situation?
I also bought plastic toilet shims and I now remember why I didn't use them three years ago: I can't figure out how to get them to stay in place on the tile or how to cut the parts that stick out from around the base of the bowl. I just read where some of you use cedar shims (I have some) or grout. If I were to use grout, should I spread it on the tile and then set the toilet on top of it while it's still wet? If so, wouldn't that make it difficult to remove the toilet in the future? Or should I spread the grout to the correct height and wait until it hardens before setting the toilet?
If anyone is able to respond today I'd be most appreciative as I'm trying to get this done today before my family comes home. Thanks!
- Bernie
I installed the toilet (new) over three years ago after laying ceramic tile on the concrete floor. The toilet sat a little low on the left side and I shimmed it with rubber strips I had around, but I don't think I did a very good job. The toilet felt solid ever since, but I had noticed the water in the bowl hadn't been level for quite a while.
Here's the situation: The top of the flange is 1/8 to 1/4" above the finished ceramic tile floor and is actually a little HIGH on the left side. The top edge of the metal drain pipe is about 1-5/8" below the top of the flange. The toilet seems to sit fine, though a little LOW to the left, when I dry-fit it over the flange. Although the finished floor seems fairly flat, I think the cause of the toilet not sitting level is because one tile on the right side is a little bit higher than the others.
My questions:
I bought a wax ring with a horn but didn't realize it was "jumbo" until I took it out of the bag this morning. I should be able to use it without problem, correct? I also know some of you prefer wax rings without horns. Would my horned jumbo work in my situation?
I also bought plastic toilet shims and I now remember why I didn't use them three years ago: I can't figure out how to get them to stay in place on the tile or how to cut the parts that stick out from around the base of the bowl. I just read where some of you use cedar shims (I have some) or grout. If I were to use grout, should I spread it on the tile and then set the toilet on top of it while it's still wet? If so, wouldn't that make it difficult to remove the toilet in the future? Or should I spread the grout to the correct height and wait until it hardens before setting the toilet?
If anyone is able to respond today I'd be most appreciative as I'm trying to get this done today before my family comes home. Thanks!
- Bernie