Oh, OK, good point re the wax not coming off. I've basically never re-installed an old toilet that had been installed using a wax ring because the only reason I've installed a toilet is because the existing toilet was crap (ha, ha) so I "Toto'd" it. (Installed a new Toto Drake, a model that seems to last forever, although maybe as a plumber you've had more opportunity to see them fail.)The alternative you link can do ok on a new toilet, but not usually on a reinstalled toilet.
Wax rings are as outdated as oakum and plaster-and-lathe walls. Use a wax-free seal made out of rubbery plastic, like this one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-3-in ... /203349071
They come in different sizes depending on the size of your drain pipe; 3" and 4" are the most common. They are MUCH easier to install, and less messy, than wax rings.
Oh, and while you're making your life easier, make it even easier with these adjustable toilet bolts ("closet bolts"):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fluidmaster ... /308812814
No need to break or cut them to size after installing them.
(As you can see, I have an advanced degree in toilet training...)
Why? The old wax is almost impossible to remove from the pore of the unfinished side of the china so the product won't stick properly.
There are some "spongey" or foam like rings that have done ok as an alternative to traditional wax.
I remember when the SetFast bolt came out and some communication with the inventor. Looks like he has licensed to a few companies.
They were ok. I tried but didn't stick with them. Hold washer was a little floppy at times and I recall running into a situation or two where I couldn't get the bolt low enough due to distance underneath the flange and/or it was too high to cap.
I DID like the thicker bolt.
But I preferred to have something that would more universally cover most any situation and found Blue Monster 5/16" bolts the best at the time.
Hope that helps.
Re level floors, I don't think I've ever not had to use shims to get the toilet to sit level. I think tile installers are like drywall installers - the wall doesn't have to actually be flat, it just has to look flat. Same with the floor.
Statistics: Posted by snic — Sat Nov 22, 2025 11:06 pm — Replies 7 — Views 1000