If you’ve ever installed a toilet, you know how important obtaining a proper seal is to the integrity and cleanliness of a bathroom. While there are many taboos plumbers should avoid when setting toilets, none are as frowned upon as double stacking wax toilet rings.
You may be tempted to think that doubling the rings equates to a stronger, more stable connection, but that thinking couldn’t be more mistaken. Going down that path will likely result in costly consequences such as leaks, odors, and repairs.
If you're feeling called out, don't worry, we've got you covered. In this blog, we’ll review how to set a toilet properly, overcome faulty flanges, and why wax-ring stacking is a forever faux pas.
What is a wax toilet ring?
A wax ring is a circular gasket made of 100%-high-grade petroleum wax. Installed between the toilet and the waste pipe flange on the bathroom floor, the wax ring creates a hygienic and waterproof seal to prevent sewage water and odors from leaking out. It is also one of the most effective ways of securing a toilet.
What are the benefits of using a wax toilet ring?
For a proper toilet seal, installing wax rings is the tried-and-true method preferred by many plumbers. Here are a few reasons why:
- They reduce odor. Beyond being unpleasant, seeping sewage odors are a severe health hazard. When properly installed, wax rings will create an airtight seal that prevents sewer odor from emanating into your home. For additional tips, check out our blog, Easy Ways to Stop Sewer Odors From Invading Your Home.
- They prevent water from flooding beneath the toilet. Water is a breeding ground for bacteria. While backups and clogs are inevitable, a wax ring prevents the water from leaking at the toilet's base, damaging the subflooring and causing sanitary concerns.
- They are durable. Wax rings are an incredibly durable product that has an extremely long lifespan. Oatey’s Wax Bowl Rings don’t dry up, harden, or deteriorate over time, so when installed correctly they form a permanent seal.
Why is double stacking wax rings a plumbing mistake?
Like any plumbing project, properly installing your wax rings is crucial to a successful application. While we understand the lure behind stacking rings, we want to stress again that doing this will not result in a better or more secure seal.
In fact, it will have the opposite effect. Because stacking wax rings requires joining two separate pieces, you create gaps where sewage byproducts can escape. This is due to the rings not fully molding to form one solid new piece.
As noted, the consequences of stacking wax rings are serious. Most importantly, you decrease your chances of achieving a proper seal. As a result, you expose home and building occupants to sanitary risks such as leaks, bacteria growth, and structural water damage.
How to correctly set a toilet and avoid common pitfalls
Now that we have persuaded you not to stack wax rings when setting a toilet, here is our best advice to make your next installation a breeze.
First, you want to ensure that you have properly installed your flange, as this is where most mistakes occur.
- Mistake #1: Setting your toilet flange too low is the most common reason people double stack wax rings.
A properly set toilet flange will sit just on top of the finished floor. However, if your flange is positioned too low or flush with the floor, using a jumbo wax ring is a quick fix. Jumbo wax rings are about a quarter-inch thicker than the standard and compensate for the height lost with a flange that sits too low.
You can also use flange spacers if the toilet flange is flush or below the finished floor. Oatey’s Set-Rite® Toilet Flange Spacers can be mounted on top of the existing flange to raise the existing drain connection. Be sure the flange is secured to the subfloor to prevent the seal from moving and cracking.
Next, you want to install your wax ring. Again, its size depends on whether the flange is set level to the floor or on top. Place the wax seal onto the flange or underneath the toilet and set the toilet straight down using twisting motions. Once set, secure the toilet with bolts.
- Mistake #2: Installing a toilet using rocking motions. Doing so can cause the wax ring to over-compress, leading to an uneven seal.
You are now privy to all the do’s and don'ts of toilet settings and wax rings. We are confident that with these tips, your next toilet install will be a breeze. Just remember that stacking wax rings is always avoidable and never a good idea.
If you are installing a wax ring for the first time, learn more about wax rings by watching our step-by-step tutorial: How to Install Wax Rings.
