How to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring

Wobbling toilets or the faint, unmistakable scent of sewer gas are your home's way of telling you the wax ring—the humble gasket between your toilet and the drain flange—has failed. This seal is the only thing standing between your bathroom floor and the waste line, and when it dries out or shifts, it needs an immediate replacement to prevent floor rot and water damage. Performing this task yourself is the gold standard for DIY plumbing. It requires a bit of heavy lifting and a willingness to get your hands dirty, but the process is straightforward. When you finish, the toilet should feel rock-solid against the floor, and the seal will provide years of reliable, leak-free service.

  1. Stop the Flow First. Locate the shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise until it stops. Flush the toilet to drain the tank and bowl, then use a sponge or towel to remove the remaining water from the basin.
  2. Disconnect and Drain. Use a wrench to unscrew the water supply line from the toilet tank fill valve. Have a small container ready to catch the water that will trickle out of the line once disconnected.
  3. Lift and Break the Seal. Pop off the plastic caps covering the floor bolts and unscrew the nuts using an adjustable wrench. Straddle the bowl, lift the toilet straight up to break the seal, and set it carefully aside on a piece of cardboard or an old towel.
  4. Scrape Clean Down to Bare. Use a plastic putty knife to scrape the old wax off the toilet horn and the floor flange. Ensure the area is completely free of debris so the new wax can adhere properly.
  5. Center the Fresh Seal. Place the new wax ring onto the drain flange or stick it directly onto the bottom of the toilet horn. Ensure it is centered and that the flange bolts are standing upright and ready to receive the toilet.
  6. Compress and Secure Level. Lower the toilet straight down onto the bolts, keeping it level so the wax compresses evenly. Press down firmly with your body weight, then tighten the nuts—just enough to hold it steady, not so tight you crack the porcelain.