Wax Seal Installations For Toilets.

Although toilets have changed dramatically over the years; the seals between the bowel and the floor have not changed much until now.  Over the past 2 years fernco has come up with a toilet gasket that is very impressive. It is made of a neoprene rubber that adheres to the bottom of your toilet. I was a little skeptical at first to say the least the first time I used one, but it worked remarkably well.  Although only on the market for a short time this gasket definitely has its advantages. The only down side I see with it is that it cannot be used on a toilet that has already had a wax seal on it unless it is stripped clean of all the wax; as the adhesive on the neoprene bonds with the toilet quite well. I have used them on many new installations and have had remarkable success. 

Wax seals are still as reliable as they have been over the past number of decades.  They are made by many different companies and are very compatible.  Choosing the right one for the correct job is critical for a good seal.   I persoally am not a big fan of the seal with plastic ring with the wax molded around it.  I have had a few experiences of the toilet not sitting flat on the floor after I installed this style of seal.
1.  When replacing an old toilet with a new one, I would look at the new neoprene style first, but a new wax seal will work just fine as well.
2.  If you have put ceramic tile down and have not raised the floor flange it is a must to double up your wax seal if you are not replacing the toilet. If you are replacing the toilet, I would consider the neoprene.
3.  You have changed your floor flange, are going with regular flooring and the floor flange only has 4 holes in it;  all that is required is a regular wax seal.

4.  The floor flange you are putting in is going into a piece pipe, perhaps a piece of 3 inch pipe sticking through  your basement floor  ....yes....They have made a floor flange that glues into a piece of 3 inch.  very handy if the concrete is finished up against the pipe.  You cut it off flush and glue your flange in.  The floor flange is very thick and a thin wax seal is the only thing to be used inthis application.

5.  When taking up a toilet and changing the wax seal and the pipe coming through the floor is 4 inch; the wax seal for this application I prefer is one with the plastic sleeve it. It is a little thicker and works very well when the pipe is 4 inch.

6.  Little tip....when setting a toilet on the floor and it is a little rocky, I place a COPPER penny or 2 on the back side of the toilet on either side to stop the rocking.  Always does the job.  I occasionally will use brass when I have them.

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