A toilet's wax doughnut constitutes part of the seal that keeps water and sewer gasses from leaking out of the base of the toilet. The wax doughnut compresses between the base of the toilet and the closet flange, which is anchored to the bathroom floor. The doughnut will wear out prematurely if you do not install it properly, or the toilet is not anchored sufficiently, allowing the toilet to rock or shift. The only way to repair a broken toilet doughnut is to remove it and install a new doughnut. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Shut off the water to the toilet by twisting the water supply handle clockwise until tight. Flush the toilet once to drain most of the water from the tank, and then use a shop vacuum to remove the rest of the water.
2. Loosen the water supply line connection with the water valve in the bathroom wall using an adjustable wrench. Remove the hose from the valve. Remove the nuts on the base of the toilet using the wrench.
3. Pull the toilet up and off the bolts by grabbing onto the bowl. Set the toilet aside gently and then scrape off the old wax doughnut using a putty knife.
4. Place the new wax doughnut on the closet flange, with the rounded side pointing up. Lower the toilet back over the bolts and press firmly on the top of the bowl without rocking or twisting the toilet. Continue pressing until the wax doughnut compresses and the bottom of the bowl touches the bathroom's finished floor.
5. Tighten the nuts on the bolts until you feel resistance. Over-tightening the nuts can crack the toilet's porcelain base, leading to leaks. The toilet should not shift or rock in any direction. If it does, slide shims under any gaps between the toilet's base and the bathroom floor.
6. Reattach the toilet's water line to the water valve in the wall. Turn the valve's handle counterclockwise to refill the toilet's tank.
Tags: base toilet, toilet doughnut, bathroom floor, closet flange, doughnut compresses, water supply