Any toilet installation would be impossible without a toilet seal. This essential part joins the pipes and the bottom of the toilet. Can you imagine what would happen without it? Probably, there would be water all over the floor because of constant leakage. That’s why you need the best wax ring for toilet seals.
Wax is among the suitable materials for these rings because it creates a very tight seal. Of course, some other rings are waxless and are also widely used for this purpose because they are more durable and easy to clean. In this buying guide, we have prepared reviews on wax rings for toilet seals, as well as some reviews on waxless ones so that you can compare their pros and cons and choose which type would be better for you.
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What Purpose Does a Wax Ring Serve?
Before deciding whether you need a wax gasket, you’d better find answers to the question, ‘What purpose does a wax ring serve?’. We have prepared some information to help you understand why you need a wax ring for toilet installation.
The Importance of Wax Seals
All toilet bowls need a sealing ring which should be installed between them and the flange on the floor. These seals are essential as they serve as a barrier to the flushed waste from splashing on the floor and making a mess all over the bathroom.
There are wax and wax-free options for these seals. In this section of the article, we are going to talk about the wax ones. Wax is considered to be a very efficient waterproof seal. Thanks to the viscosity of its surface, the flushed waste doesn’t settle and grow any bacteria. So your family won’t be affected by any unpleasant odor or bacteria that may cause sickness.
There are two kinds of wax gaskets – one of them has a sleeve on its inner part, the other one doesn’t have such a sleeve. People tend to prefer the ring with the sleeve as it remains more stable when it is being installed. We know that stability during installation is an essential factor as with wax rings, you have only one try. If you don’t fit the toilet bowl to the seal the very first time, you need to use another ring.
The most common material for the production of wax is petroleum, which is a very cheap way to produce wax rings in significant amounts. Another useful feature of this material is that it melts at 144 degrees. This means that these gaskets can be safely used at home, where the temperature reaches 80 degrees the highest.
Downsides of Wax Rings
There are some disadvantages to using wax rings. The first one is that they can be damaged during installation because the wax is not solid. If this happens, you will need to use another ring. So suppliers advise that it is better to buy two rings, to be on the safe side. Thus, if you break the first one, you won’t have to run to the local store to search for a ring.
Another disadvantage is that wax can become hard after some time, and then it can break and allow leakage of wastewater. Following this sequence of thoughts, it is better to use a waxless toilet seal. However, wax ones are the most eco-friendly options because the wax is a renewable resource.
One of the toughest challenges we found, however, is actually replacing a toilet wax ring. It is essentially the same as installing it but you also have to add all the process of unsealing your toilet, be it a corner toilet, and removing the old ring.
We are sure that if you are reading this article, then you don’t want your bathroom to get affected by any leaking. Now you have found the solution to leaking toilets. Another thing that may leak in the bathroom is the bathroom faucet. If you want to solve your problems, read our reviews on bathroom faucets. You can compare the pros and cons of the top products and choose the most suitable one for you.
Best Wax Rings for Toilet Seals Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Prime Line Toilet Wax Ring |
| View On Amazon |
 | Westbrass Thick Wax Ring |
| View On Amazon |
 | Fluidmaster Thick Wax Toilet Gasket |
| View On Amazon |
 | Danco All-in-One Toilet Installation Kit |
| View On Amazon |
 | Plumbcraft Tight Waxless Gasket Kit |
| View On Amazon |
 | Fluidmaster Wax-free Toilet Bowl Gasket |
| View On Amazon |
 | Korky WaxFree Seal |
| View On Amazon |
Best Wax and Waxless Ring for Toilet Seals – Top Picks
In this section, we are going to present to you the top wax and waxless products which you can find at the market. Please, note that we haven’t introduced them in any particular order:
1. Prime Line Toilet Wax Ring
The Prime Line ring is offered at a very low price, especially considering the fact that it comes with rubber funnels, installation bolts, buts, and washers. To be more exact, the cost of this ring is a bit lower than the average one. The significant advantages of this product are that it can be attached to any toilet bowl and that it can be adjusted to uneven floors. This tool is large enough to be able to adapt to the whole weight of the toilet bowl.
Moreover, this ring is waterproof because of the fact that it is made of wax. Another plus is its odor that lasts for a long time. If you have decided to purchase this product, have in mind that there is only one ring in the package, not six, as its previous description claimed. Once you tighten the installation screws of the toilet, the wax ring is ready to use.
Pros:
- This wax ring fits tightly and adjusts to the weight of the toilet.
- All the necessary tools for installation, like the bolts and washers, are included in the package.
- The installation of the ring is very easy.
Cons:
- We haven’t found any exclusive negative characteristics of this product.
2. Westbrass Thick Wax Ring
The price of the Westbrass wax ring is around the average one. As its name suggests, this product is made of brass and urethane wax. The dimensions of this tool are 6 x 6 x 2, 5 inches, and it weighs 8 ounces.
It is large enough to fit any toilet bowl. The ring is standard thick, which is essential because you won’t worry that it can break the flange of your toilet. The ring comes in a package with one flange and two ¼ inch closet bolts, which make the installation process more convenient.
Some good news about the bolts is that if they are too long for your toilet, you can cut them without damaging them. A benefit of this product is that it makes sure that there is no water, gas, or odor leaking. This ring also prevents the growth of any bacteria. Another advantage of this product is that its shipping is very quick; you can have it for a day (of course, this depends on where you live).
Pros:
- This wax ring is easy to install.
- The price is around the average.
- Its shipping is fast.
- You receive a package with one ring, one flange, and two bolts.
Cons:
- A little leakage may be noticed in the first week of using the ring, but afterward, everything was fine.
3. Fluidmaster Thick Wax Toilet Gasket
Fluidmaster gasket is a budget-friendly option as it comes at a price that is lower than the average one. This ring ensures that there are no leakages as it is extra thick. It is easy to install, and it fits both 3 and 4-inch lines.
An advantage of this product is that it has 40% more wax than the standard seals. The extra wax is a good thing. You can never have too much of it! Just be careful when you mount the toilet – push down hard until the sealing is done.
Another benefit is that there is a polyethylene flange included in the package. A disadvantage of this product is that you need to buy the bolts separately. Make sure that if you just want to replace an existing wax ring, you also have to change the bolts as the old ones are probably not useful anymore.
Pros:
- It is easy to install.
- The ring fits perfectly thanks to its extra thick wax.
- The product comes with a polyethylene flange.
Cons:
- Even though it is advertised as extra thick, the ring is not thick enough.
4. Danco All-in-One Toilet Installation Kit
The price of this ring may seem to be a bit above the average, but you should take into account that this is a whole installation kit, not just a ring. This tool offers three times stronger seal than other similar products thanks to a hidden wax ring.
Another advantage of this ring is that it allows for as many repositions as needed during the process of installation. You won’t need to cut the stainless steel and brass bolts as they are adjustable. There are sliding adapters that tighten the bolts.
This ring fits any toilet as it works with special flanges, which are below or above the floor. If you use this gasket, you don’t need to worry about the type of tiles that you have as it works with all kinds of tiles. You just need to cut the tiles so that the closet flange and the seal flange can fit together. If you need to change the tiles on the floor, you won’t need to replace the ring if you are careful enough.
Pros:
- The ring secures tightly to the toilet flange.
- The product features a guide that is very helpful throughout the installation process.
- It is quick to install.
- The zero cut bolts work fine. They are a good addition to the set.
Cons:
- The flanges don’t fit all sizes of toilets.
5. Plumbcraft Tight Waxless Gasket Kit
The Plumbcraft gasket is very easy to install. Its price is a bit above the average one, but it is only because it comes with a whole kit, which includes everything needed for the installation. An advantage of this product is that it allows for many repositions while you are installing the product.
This ring fits any toilet bowl and any flange, and it is leak-free. The kit includes an EVA foam ring, a silicone ring, another EVA foam ring which has holes for bolts, two washers made of stainless steel, two metal nuts, and two solid brass toilet bolts. It is recommended to use the foam. In case your flange is below the floor, you may also need to use the other foam ring from the kit.
A disadvantage of this product is that it doesn’t come with a flange. However, it can fit both 3 and 4-inch flanges.
Pros:
- The product comes with very detailed instructions.
- It is easy to install.
- The gasket comes with a ten-year warranty.
- You can remover the toilet bowl and keep the gasket undamaged as many times as you need.
Cons:
- The toilet bowl may be a little wobbly after installation because of the size of the ring.
6. Fluidmaster Wax-free Toilet Bowl Gasket
The price of the Fluidmaster toilet bowl gasket is around the average one. This ring will save you from the mess that you would have if you used a wax one.
A good thing about this product is that it can be repositioned as many times as you need while installing it. This ring comes with brass bolts that are rust-free. If you use this ring, the manufacturers promise that there won’t be any leaking. In case it doesn’t work correctly, you shouldn’t worry because it comes with a 10-year warranty.
This ring can fit all types of toilet bowls and flanges. You can install this gasket at any time of the year because there is no minimum temperature limit required. The ring can fit on uneven floors or floors that have tiles on top. The product comes with an additional spacer that is intended to fill in any gaps.
Pros:
- This gasket is easily adjustable – you can remove or reposition the toilet bowl as many times as you need.
- After using this gasket, the toilet bowl doesn’t leak.
- It is cleaner to use this ring than a wax one.
- This product lasts longer than a wax ring.
Cons:
- The bolts that come in the kit are not long enough.
- This ring makes the toilet bowl sit a little bit too high.
7. Korky WaxFree Seal
If you want to buy just the seal, its price may seem a bit higher than the average one. However, if you buy it with the hardware, it’s much cheaper. This product offers a tight seal between the floor and the toilet bowl as it can fit below, above, or on the level of the floor.
Installation is easy, and you can reposition it as many times as you need while installing it. The gasket kit includes a hardware set, a seal, and instructions, which are easy to follow. As far as materials go, the ring is made of chlorzoxazone red rubber, which can resist all types of bacteria, chlorine, well and hard water.
It will fit all kinds of toilets. To install the product properly, it is recommended to follow the given instructions strictly. Before you decide whether you want to buy this ring, you should know that it is not recommended to use it with wall-mounted toilets.
Pros:
- The product comes with easy to follow instructions.
- The rubber this ring is made of resists bacteria and chlorine.
- The gasket fits all types of toilets.
- You can reposition the ring as many times as you need.
Cons:
- The ring may not come with the required hardware as it is promised in the description.
8. Sani Seal Waxless Toilet Gasket
The price of the Sani Seal gasket is a bit above the average. This ring is made of polyurethane. Its dimensions are 8x2x9 inches, and it weighs 6,4 ounces. The gasket comes only in one size. The ring is supposed to work well both with 3 and 4-inch connections.
The product has an innovative design. The manufacturers promise that it will fit even floors that are higher than the pipe. This unit comes with steel bolts, which are not very good as they will fail after some time of usage. So it is recommended to buy brass bolts instead.
What makes this ring better than a wax one is that you can reposition it as many times as you need, and it doesn’t make a mess when you need to remove the toilet bowl for some reason. In case your flange is 3/8 inches below the floor, it is advisable to use two seals.
Pros:
- This ring allows for a clean and easy installation.
- The gasket fits any tilted floor.
- This product can also be installed on wall mount toilets.
- The ring features an innovative design.
Cons:
- The ring may be too thick for a toilet bowl to be installed properly. Check the models.
How to Install Two Wax Rings in a Toilet?
In some cases, in which one wax ring is not enough, you will need to know how to install two wax rings in a toilet. In this part of our article, you will learn some essential techniques that you will need for this installation.
If you see that there is some water leaking from the bottom of your toilet bowl, then maybe the wax ring doesn’t work properly. This thing can happen if the flange is situated below the floor level. In such a case, there is too much distance between the flange and the toilet bowl, and one wax ring isn’t enough to cover this space. It is obvious that you need a wax ring replacement. You can fix this problem by using two wax rings. There are also other options which we will discuss below.
How to Install a Wax Ring?
The first thing you should do when installing a wax ring is to empty the tank and the bowl of the toilet. Then disconnect the water. After that, remove the toilet bowl – you can do this by unscrewing the bolts that hold it to the floor.
After removing the toilet bowl, you have to find the old wax ring. It is either attached to the flange or the bottom of the toilet. Now it is time to scrape the old wax ring off the surface it is connected to. The only thing you can do is to place the new wax ring on the flange and then put the toilet bowl onto it. You can alternatively attach the new wax ring to the bottom of the toilet. Both ways work.
How to Install Two Wax Rings in a Toilet?
If you want to install two wax rings, then it is recommended to get a gasket that has a plastic pipe extension attached to it, and another one that doesn’t have this extension. The diameter of the ring with the extension should be around 3 inches so that it can fit inside the flange.
First, you need to put the gasket with the plastic pipe onto the flange. Ideally, the pipe should go all the way down the flange. Then you need to put the other ring on top of the first one. After that, you should place the toilet bowl on the flange. Push down to compress the wax. Finally, you should tighten the bolts, and then you can test if the toilet leaks.
What Are the Alternatives to Two Wax Rings?
Instead of using two wax rings, you may also try with one bigger gasket. Wax rings come typically in two sizes. The normal one is 1 ½ inch thick. The other one is almost twice as thick.
Expert plumbers advise that if there is a lot of distance between the flange and the bottom part of the toilet, it is better to use the extra thick wax gasket. Most of the manufacturers of wax rings, offer both of the sizes. The cost of the extra thick one is less than twice the price of the normal one.
Yet another option is not to use a wax ring, but a rubber one. The rubber gaskets also come in different sizes. If the distance between the flange and the toilet is too much, you can use the extra thick rubber ring.
There are also some flange extenders, which are plastic rings intended to fit the top of the flange. The only thing you need to do is to attach it with the bolts which already hold the flange. If you decide to use the flange extender, then one wax ring will be enough to cover the gap.
If you are curious about the installation of other bathroom devices, you are more than welcome to visit our homepage. There you will learn how to install shower valves as well as other bathroom equipment. You will also read our reviews on these products and choose the top ones for you. When it comes to installation, the know-how is very important, and now it is just one click away from you.
Wax vs Wax-Free Toilet Seals: What’s Better?
Now you know what the purpose of the wax ring is, and you have also learned how to install it whenever you need to do it. As we have mentioned, there is also a wax ring alternative, which is the wax-free ring. To help you decide which option is more suitable for you, we will compare wax to wax-free toilet seals to see what’s better.
Wax Rings
They are the traditional way of sealing toilets. Even though they are called wax, most of them are made of petroleum because it is cheaper. For a long time, plumbers relied only on wax rings to seal toilets.
Wax-Free Rings
These are also called the mess-free option. The waxless gaskets stick to the toilet with the help of a very strong adhesive. These rings are very efficient when it comes to no leaking.
Wax Rings vs. Wax-Free Rings
The first thing you need to have in mind when you decide what type of ring to use is your bathroom flooring. If you have upgraded your floor so that it provides radiant heat, it is not a good idea to use a wax ring. The explanation for this is simple – the heat may eventually melt the wax.
Another thing to consider is your plumbing skills. If you are not an expert, then it is recommended to get the wax-free ring. First of all, it is less messy than the wax option. Then you can reposition the waxless gaskets as many times as you need. If you use a wax ring, you have only one shot.
Yet another advantage of the rubber rings is that they are reusable. In case you need to remove the toilet bowl and you have a wax ring, then you have to buy another one. On the contrary waxless rings are reusable, and you can use them as long as their condition allows.
Finally, it is up to you to decide which type of ring to use. Both the wax and wax-free options are efficient in terms of preventing water from leaking. The wax one is the gasket that has been used for years. The waxless ring is the mess-free one, and you can reuse it a lot of times. It is advisable to ask a plumber to help you make the decision.
If you want to learn more about wax or wax-free rings, we recommend you to visit our homepage. There we have provided all the information you may need about different bathroom fixtures and accessories. Whether you need to replace your toilet ring or get a new shower head, you can find everything you need there. Read our buying guides and reviews on top products to make the right choice for your bathroom.
Wrap Up
In this buying guide, we have entered the world of plumbing. Now you are aware of the purpose of wax and wax-free rings, you know how to install them, and you have read the advantages and disadvantages of both types of gaskets. We hope that after reading our reviews on wax rings for toilet seals, you will be able to choose the most appropriate one for your plumbing skills, flooring, and bathroom characteristics.
After all, you shouldn’t put your bathroom at risk of being damaged by leaking water. That’s why it is time to choose the best wax ring for the toilet seal. Go through our reviews and buying guides again, consider all features of the wax and waxless rings, and choose a seal that will function for many more years to come. We are sure that you don’t want to replace the toilet ring very frequently.
We also encourage you to visit our homepage. There you can read about other bathroom fixtures and accessories such as inflatable hot tub reviews and the best LED showerheads. Our reviews and buying guides will help you to fix any existing problems in your bathroom. Thanks for reading, and as always – stay put!