How do toilets seal to plumbing pipes?

A new wax seal on a PVC flange for toilets
A new wax seal on a PVC flange for toilets

Toilets are a very important part of public health and safety that nobody considers until they have an issue. Arguably one of the largest issues we see from Toilets are leaking wax seals. The wax seal is what connects your toilet to the waste pipes via a flange. 

A leaking wax seal can cause large amounts of waste water to leak out with every flush. Which has major potential to make unsanitary conditions. The wax seal is a important part of setting a toilet. If improperly installed it will surely leak. 

Replacing a wax seal is generally a straight forward task for a plumber. As long as the flange is in good operating condition, all that we have to do is remove the toilet bowl form the flange. Clean the bottom of the toilet and remove the old wax. Then we install a new wax seal, bolts to secure the toilet, a water supply tube, finish up by testing for leaks and caulking the toilet.

A couple of signs your flange is broken.

A toilet flange that was broken and caused damage to the subfloor.
A toilet flange that was broken and caused damage to the subfloor.

Sometimes we remove a toilet to find that the flange (which is the pipe that connects to toilet) is not intact. This can put a major damper on reinstalling a new wax seal and is where most DIY’s run into trouble. The reason being is because there’s many different types of materials for plumbing waste pipes. Old materials can be difficult to adapt to without the proper experience. Signs you’re flange is not in tact may be: 

  • Loose bolts will not tighten all the way down firmly. 
  • An excessively wobbly/loose toilet bowl. 
  • Leaks from the base of the toilet or underneath when flushing.

Luckily plumbers like us are experts at repairing pipes and can repair or install a new flange. Sometimes without even opening any walls or ceilings. 

4 reasons that toilets run.

installing a new sink and toilet for a customer
installing a new sink and toilet for a customer

Toilets can run for a variety of reasons. They are actually a rather simple device under the hood. The way that they work is by using a lever and chain connected to a rubber flapper that lifts and allows the tank water to drain into the bowl. Once the water leaves the toilet tank a float lowers on the fill valve which allows fresh water back into the tank and closes the flapper when full. Common reasons toilet run are:

  • A defective or broken fill valve
  • Worn out toilet flapper
  • Leaking tank to bowl connection
  • Toilet handle chains getting caught or stuck, keeping toilet flapper slightly open

Wolyn Services LLC fixes most issues that you may come across on your leaking toilet. We have the knowledge and experience to get your leaks squared away. We are able to diagnose all of your plumbing service needs. Also if you’re in the market for a new toilet we keep several different models and options in stock in our shop!