Replace a Toilet Wax Ring

Category: Plumbing · Difficulty: Intermediate · Time: 1.7h · Estimated cost: $35

Tools needed

Shut water and drain
Close the supply valve behind the toilet. Flush, hold lever down to drain bowl. Sponge out remaining water in tank and bowl.
Duration: 15 min
Disconnect supply line
Unscrew the supply line from the bottom of the tank. Catch drips with towel.
Duration: 5 min
Remove toilet
Pop off bolt caps at the floor flange. Loosen the nuts. Rock toilet gently to break wax seal, lift straight up. Lay on side on towels.
Duration: 20 min
Scrape old wax
Use putty knife to remove ALL old wax from both the toilet base and the floor flange. Stuff a rag in the open drain to block sewer gas.
Duration: 15 min
Install new bolts and ring
Insert new closet bolts into the flange slots. Press the new wax ring (horn down) onto the flange — DO NOT touch wax to anything else first.
Duration: 10 min
Set toilet
Pull the rag from the drain. Lower toilet straight down over the bolts. Press down and rock side-to-side to compress the wax. Hand-tighten the nuts evenly.
Duration: 15 min
Reconnect and test
Reattach supply line, open valve. Check for any drips at the base. Caulk around base except for a 2" gap at the back (so future leaks are visible).
Duration: 20 min

Sewer gas is hazardous — keep the drain plugged with a rag whenever the toilet is off.
A toilet weighs 80-100 lbs; lift with your legs or get a helper.
Don't overtighten the floor bolts — porcelain cracks and you'll buy a new toilet.

If the floor flange is cracked, broken, or sits below the finished floor — you need a flange repair, which is a plumber's job.