[djgrant]

If you use a wax ring do you need toilet bowl setting compound?

 

[Bud Cline]

"Toilet Bowl Setting Compound" ! ! !

What the hell is that?

All that is required is the wax seal, maybe two.

 

[djgrant]

Ok, I have a "extended" size wax seal and it has the black thing in the middle too. I also have some plastic shims just in case the new tile isn't quite level and I'll put some white silicone tub&tile caulking around afterwards. A contractor told me it would be a good idea to leave a little gab in the caulking at the back of the toilet. If the wax seal ever leaks, stuff will come out the back and you will see it and can then fix it.

 

[oh'mike]

Best thing to do is 'dry set ' the toilet without the wax ring---locate your shims,if needed--then remove the toilet--add the wax ring and set the toilet on the shims.

Your contractor is right--caulk only the shims---a properly set toilet should not be caulked to the floor.

 

[mickey cassiba]

If you use a wax ring do you need toilet bowl setting compound?

Methinks some salesman is sellin' ya some bull. One ring, maybe two if the floor is is rough, but the only 'setting compound' I use is settin. my fat arse on the stool, and wigglin' till it touches down.
YMMV(dependin' on yer weight)

 

[djgrant]

I just read about it in some online how-to articles. It sounds like something that was used prior to wax rings.

 

[oh'mike]

I just read about it in some online how-to articles. It sounds like something that was used prior to wax rings.

Wax ring or two is it----that's the right way---I know what you are referring to-- I won't mention that method because it only used by people who don't know how to set a toilet.

 

[Otherbill]

I like to use my extra pennies to shim it affterwards, that's my 2 cents!!

 

[AllanJ]

When doing the dry run, be sure the toilet sits firm, without rocking. Suggest glueing any shims onto the floor so they don't move when you do the real installation of the bowl. A few days later, when you are sure it is not leaking, you can caulk around the toilet base so accidental spills in th emidde of the floor don't seep under the toilet and down into the subfloor.

 

[djgrant]

Your contractor is right--caulk only the shims---a properly set toilet should not be caulked to the floor.

Why not caulk the toilet to the floor? As AllanJ said, shouldn't it be caulked all the way around to protect water from getting in?

 

[djgrant]

See this how-to install toilet link

Notice in step 1 they say "Place the wax seal (with horn) around the discharge and apply plumbers putty around the outside perimeter of the bowl." What is plumber's putty and why is the necessary? or not?

Link about plumber's putty.

My idea had been to put some white silicone tub&tile caulk around the base of the toilet AFTER installation.

 

[oh'mike]

Why not caulk the toilet to the floor? As AllanJ said, shouldn't it be caulked all the way around to protect water from getting in?

I want a leak to show up on the floor--the top of the floor--
If the wax ring fails and the water can not escape and get your socks wet--

It will be week--a month--or years ruining your subfloor before the problem is discovered---It's my way of doing it --that doesn't make it the only way.

 

[TheEplumber]

I caulk all the way around the base. But each his own :thumbup: I do know that the UPC states that fixtures shall be caulked
And I have never seen anyone use putty at the base, seems like a waste of time. So is talking about how to caulk a toilet :laughing: Kind of like the "tape or dope first" on pipe threads debate:whistling2: