I have purchased the two commodes that I talked about in the bidet thread a while back.

I now see they have "waxless gaskets" available. Should I use one of these or the traditional wax gasket? Are there any benefits to either one? Is one better than the other? I need to order them rather soon so the plumber will have them here when they do the removal of the old commodes and install the new ones.

Any insight or advice you could provide would be most appreciated. I'm pretty clueless regarding plumbing.

quote:

Originally posted by Unishot:
I have purchased the two commodes that I talked about in the bidet thread a while back.

I now see they have "waxless gaskets" available. Should I use one of these or the traditional wax gasket? Are there any benefits to either one? Is one better than the other? I need to order them rather soon so the plumber will have them here when they do the removal of the old commodes and install the new ones.

Any insight or advice you could provide would be most appreciated. I'm pretty clueless regarding plumbing.

I cannot say as far as what particular brand of wax-less gasket you are using but in my home-owner experience they are far superior to wax rings such as those purchased at one of the big box stores for the following;
1) If the spouse can't lift her derriere off the seat to wipe and instead swings her stuff to the side (jarring the bowl) the wax rings can eventually break their seal.
2) If the toilet needs to be plunged, the wax rings can break their seal.
3) If repairs require lifting the toilet, the modern rings can be re-used as opposed to cleaning the wax ring mess off (yuck!) then installing a new ring
My opinion may be influenced by the higher temperatures in this area as well as the fact we use PVC waste piping and flanges vs. cast iron.
In Illinois I did have a plumber re-use a wax seal without any further issue but here in Texas the wax rings have always turned into soft mush.

Again, just home-owner experience over the 28 past years in two states.
I would also welcome the opinion of a plumber familiar with TX as well.

I'm not a fan of them. Wax has worked for many many years. It seals very well and doesn't break down.

I'm not sold on the new ones and there are a few different types sold. Will they hold up for the years wax rings will. I've seen wax ring last over 20 years.

These days I like the thicker wax rings with the plastic piece inside that helps funnel the water. The only time I use the thinner ones is when the flange is sitting higher than the finished flooring.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...lange-7513/203763999

I also get the more heavy duty closet bolts vs the thin ones that come with most toilets.

I have seen a few toilets leak at the wax ring but it has always been because of a failed toilet flange.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
I'm not a fan of them. Wax has worked for many many years. It seals very well and doesn't break down.

I'm not sold on the new ones and there are a few different types sold. Will they hold up for the years wax rings will. I've seen wax ring last over 20 years.

These days I like the thicker wax rings with the plastic piece inside that helps funnel the water. The only time I use the thinner ones is when the flange is sitting higher than the finished flooring.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...lange-7513/203763999

I also get the more heavy duty closet bolts vs the thin ones that come with most toilets.

I have seen a few toilets leak at the wax ring but it has always been because of a failed toilet flange.

Wax rings have worked but that does not preclude better solutions from evolving.
What geographical area are you located in?
The wax ring you linked to as well as its thinner brethren haven't lasted for shit (pun intended) down here, I've gotten 3~10 years max (depending upon what toilet the spouse uses).

Agree on using the heavier duty closet bolts but have to be careful with flanges when tightening.

I prefer the thick wax ring with the funnel that goes into the drain pipe. I have never in my life had a wax ring fail.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve 22X:

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
I'm not a fan of them. Wax has worked for many many years. It seals very well and doesn't break down.

I'm not sold on the new ones and there are a few different types sold. Will they hold up for the years wax rings will. I've seen wax ring last over 20 years.

These days I like the thicker wax rings with the plastic piece inside that helps funnel the water. The only time I use the thinner ones is when the flange is sitting higher than the finished flooring.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ev...lange-7513/203763999

I also get the more heavy duty closet bolts vs the thin ones that come with most toilets.

I have seen a few toilets leak at the wax ring but it has always been because of a failed toilet flange.

Wax rings have worked but that does not preclude better solutions from evolving.
What geographical area are you located in?
The wax ring you linked to as well as its thinner brethren haven't lasted for shit (pun intended) down here, I've gotten 3~10 years max (depending upon what toilet the spouse uses).

Agree on using the heavier duty closet bolts but have to be careful with flanges when tightening.

DC metro area.

They may be great I am just not quick to change what has worked. Tried one about two years ago and it leaked as soon as we flushed the toilet. I will say that was the first time I had tried one. Maybe it was installed incorrectly but I doubt it.

First make sure the floor is SOLID!! Then make sure the toilet sets solidly before using the gasket. If you are good to go on those fronts, wax is the answer.

Been at it for 48 years and here is my belief, wax is it, no funnel in it! Why keep the water from dropping directly in the pipe without restriction?

Regular wax seal if the closet flange is on top of the floor, if the flange is flush, use 2 wax seals, one on top of the other.

If the toilet isn't solid, then use a flexible seal, but don't expect it last forever like wax.

Just my .02 after great lessons form my dad and years of doing it for a living.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:
DC metro area.

That right there may be a big difference (hence why I asked).
What worked for us for many years in Illinois (wax) has proven to be garbage (comparatively) in this area of Texas.

I carry wax rings in my van. If I am responsible for the toilet leak after I set it I use my own wax rings not the one that comes with the toilet or the one the customer buys.
I use wax with the funnel as well, either regular or jumbo depending on the height of the floor flange.
I also carry the Fernco brand toilet seals( waxless) and use them on occasion. They have epoxy on them and glue to the bottom of the toilet and has a barbed funnel that sticks down inside the drain pipe. I have had good success with these on "floating floors" like laminate that have a pad under them. I don't know why people use this type of floor in a bathroom, but you can not keep the toilet tightened down because of the floors constant movement and a regular wax ring sometimes leaks.

A little more info based on the responses so far:

The toilets are mounting on ceramic tile, which is on a concrete slab foundation. It's in Texas, and it does get very hot here, in case you didn't know.

The original toilets were set 17 years ago, and admittedly, have developed a very small leak at the base (presumably from the wax gasket that has melted) and one of the toilets rocks back and forth slightly. I'd love for the installation to last and keep this same issue from occurring again in the future.

quote:

Originally posted by Unishot:
A little more info based on the responses so far:

The toilets are mounting on ceramic tile, which is on a concrete slab foundation. It's in Texas, and it does get very hot here, in case you didn't know.

The original toilets were set 17 years ago, and admittedly, have developed a very small leak at the base (presumably from the wax gasket that has melted) and one of the toilets rocks back and forth slightly. I'd love for the installation to last and keep this same issue from occurring again in the future.

If the toilet rocks check the flange. If it's PVC the part that holds the closet bolts can break/crack. A loose toilet is most often loose closet bolts or damaged toilet flange.

quote:

Originally posted by comet24:

quote:

Originally posted by Unishot:
A little more info based on the responses so far:

The toilets are mounting on ceramic tile, which is on a concrete slab foundation. It's in Texas, and it does get very hot here, in case you didn't know.

The original toilets were set 17 years ago, and admittedly, have developed a very small leak at the base (presumably from the wax gasket that has melted) and one of the toilets rocks back and forth slightly. I'd love for the installation to last and keep this same issue from occurring again in the future.

If the toilet rocks check the flange. If it's PVC the part that holds the closet bolts can break/crack. A loose toilet is most often loose closet bolts or damaged toilet flange.

Minor point but even if the flange is cast it can break.
Had this happen in Illinois (by prior home owner) and subsequently learned how to pour solder over an oakham gasket to install a new flange.

Never had a PVC toilet flange break (fingers crossed) but it would be easier to replace one of those, assuming the pipe is unbroken, then it would be to replace a cast flange.
Had a toilet crack once down here when I got a bit heavy-handed tightening it but the PVC flange held OK

One point that others may not realize and why I asked before where you were located, the soil we have in this area of Texas can have quite a bit of movement going on.
Not exactly certain where the OP is located but it is generally accepted that within about a 300 mile radius of Houston, the clay like soils can shrink up to 30% when dry.
We have to water the soil surrounding our foundations to keep them from heaving.
Even with that, I now need to have 19 piers installed in addition to the 4 already in place to get my pre-stressed concrete slab back in place..

I'm of no opinion but a guy I work with says he uses them. Then again, he does a little of everything, so his methods are sometimes lacking in a good basis of experience.

#1 is a flange of the proper height, properly secured to the floor. A flange level with the finished floor is too low, putting too much lateral stress on flimsy closet bolts for a rough service commode.

That said, I acquire plain wax, no funnel.

I'd definitely run a handful of grout around the base of the fixture. It eliminates movement to a large degree.

......and here I thought there would be a consensus whereby most agreed and it would make my mind up for me.

I still don't know which one I should use.

quote:

Originally posted by Unishot:
......and here I thought there would be a consensus whereby most agreed and it would make my mind up for me.

I still don't know which one I should use.

What area of Texas do you live in?

I'm in the D/FW area.

'i think the best advice was to use wax if you have a good flange set at the proper height with a strong firm subfloor and a solid finish floor. In other words, if you have no flex or movement in the installation use the wax.

quote:

Originally posted by straightshooter01:
'i think the best advice was to use wax if you have a good flange set at the proper height with a strong firm subfloor and a solid finish floor. In other words, if you have no flex or movement in the installation use the wax.

Use the wax because it costs a lot less, not that it will necessarily work any better or worse in that instance.

The cost is about the same for both types, and both of them are pretty cheap. I think I'm just going to let the local plumber use whatever he thinks is best, and rely on their professional judgement. I suppose they are going to warranty their work, and would try to do the job right.

Many thanks for the replies.
I hope the wifey likes the bidet seats going in as well. I was going to get the Toto branded ones and they were going to be $412 each. As luck would have it, I received a flyer from Costco the other day advertising a great deal on a different model. It was a BioBidet USPA 6800. Everywhere else had it for $499, and Costco's regular price was $399. For a limited time, they are selling it for $249. Seems to get very good reviews everywhere I've checked, and for the price, it's hard to beat. So we shall see!

Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by Unishot:
I'm in the D/FW area.

Deleted a bunch of text since upon posting this I read your recent post and see you will go with what a LOCAL plumber recommends.

Again, I would also like to hear from a plumber familiar with this area (our guy retired) as to what they would recommend for a house on a pre-stressed slab when considering the movement of the clay like soil in this area.