Toilet wax ring sizes?

[bullnerd]

We don't have a plumbing section so I'm putting this here.

My mother had her toilet resealed. (for reasons I don't want to get into right now.)

And ever since, the bowl does not drain the same/as fast as it used to.It fills up more and the water level in the bowl is higher until it drains.

This is an old, but VERY good condition american standard from the late 60's

Works perfect and looks brand new.

My theory is maybe the plumber installed a smaller or more restrictive wax ring than was previously there?

Is this possible?

Plumber did a very nice clean job, and caulk job looked great, just doesn't flush the same.

Mom lives alone and it's bugging her.

Thanks guys.

 

[The Cobbler]

there are different thicknesses, could have been too thick & squeezed out to close up the opening(or old wax ring wasnt totally removed & same thing happened) , or the plumber got the toilet of kilter and not direct over the flange, or there is something in the trap of the toilet , or something fell in to the pipe while toilet was off
try running a toilet auger down and see if you can clean up any squeezed wax ring

 

[bullnerd]

Pipes were augered already and no blockage found darn near out to the street.

All cast iron original plumbing in house.

I thought I read about the wax rings with the plastic insert? But I cant find the thread.

Could be thicker wax, toilet looks straight and is very solid.

 

[The Cobbler]

i meant to auger the toilet now to see if you can scrape any of the possible squeezed ring out to open up the drain

 

[bullnerd]

i meant to auger the toilet now to see if you can scrape any of the possible squeezed ring out to open up the drain

Ahhh.

Toilet pipes were augered by a plumber, but not specifically looking for wax.

 

[Wrench97]

Some wax rings do have a plastic 3" flange on them, personally I never liked them but as was always pointed out to me 3" is still bigger then to opening in the bottom of the Toilet ..................

 

[yeldogt]

My guess is they used a funnel flange wax ring -- with a new toilet and little water you don't notice .....some old toilets dump 5 or more gallons. Also -- some are very small funnels.

You only use a funnel when the floor flange is recessed -- typically with another ring.

 

[DFB]

Doe it actually flush ok?

We have one at work that for years has flushed terrible, the bowl fills up almost to overflow and then takes a long time to slowly drain. My final option is just to replace the commode entirely. It been pulled and the drains and vent inspected. Everything seems ok. (Consulted this one with a licensed plumber the assessment is the same)


Did the plumber make any adjustments to the flapper...maybe shortened the chain to lift it open more?

 

[tricountytrail]

Is it vented properly? If the seal was bad and had a air leak it would have flowed faster.

 

[BajaScout]

"This is an old, but VERY good condition american standard from the late 60's"

You need to post pictures! This is a GJ classic

 

[bullnerd]

My guess is they used a funnel flange wax ring -- with a new toilet and little water you don't notice .....some old toilets dump 5 or more gallons. Also -- some are very small funnels.

You only use a funnel when the floor flange is recessed -- typically with another ring.

This sounds about right.

Doe it actually flush ok?

We have one at work that for years has flushed terrible, the bowl fills up almost to overflow and then takes a long time to slowly drain. My final option is just to replace the commode entirely. It been pulled and the drains and vent inspected. Everything seems ok. (Consulted this one with a licensed plumber the assessment is the same)


Did the plumber make any adjustments to the flapper...maybe shortened the chain to lift it open more?

Flushes fine. My dad took very good care of it. But yes, that's the difference, it fills up a bit higher before going down and my mom is worried its going to overflow easier. Plumber just removed and reinstalled, no adjustments.

Is it vented properly? If the seal was bad and had a air leak it would have flowed faster.

Vented, yes.

"This is an old, but VERY good condition american standard from the late 60's"

You need to post pictures! This is a GJ classic

lol, I dont have any pics on hand, but I will get some.

So, here's the back story. My father passed unexpectedly about a year ago. Mom was very stressed during and up until he passed. Sister talked her into taking some stupid meds for anxiety and who knows what else. She started hallucinating, seeing bugs in and around toilet. I told her there are no bugs, sister called a plumber to look under the toilet. Now water level is slightly higher in toilet and during one of the last holidays my dufus nephew managed to overflow it. So, My sister mentioned to my mother that she needs a new toilet! There's nothing wrong with the toilet, the only thing that changed is the wax ring.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[Jim greengo]

I install no seep #1 wax rings unless they're below floor level then a #3 no seep usually takes care of it.
I've never had problems caused by the funnel in them.
Did he get the old wax ring/funnel cleaned out before installing new one?

 

[like2wheel]

Water height in the bowl is set by the design of the trap & can not be adjusted.

There would have to be something damming up the water at the apex of the trap to make the water stand higher in the bowl

 

[rharman]

Some wax rings do have a plastic 3" flange on them, personally I never liked them but as was always pointed out to me 3" is still bigger then to opening in the bottom of the Toilet ..................

This is what I have always used - this pair. The funnel and the short ring on top of that. Ensures plenty of contact & seal.

For the OP, I'd agree with others about running an auger through the toilet to be sure there is no blockage.

 

[danski0224]

Instead of stacking wax rings, best thing to do is use flange extensions to get the flange elevation to above the finished floor elevation.

 

[yeldogt]

Years ago everything to a toilet was 4" cast iron. Really old toilets often had positive outlets -- IE the outlet part of the toilet extended past the base. You needed the 4" internal opening or the toilet would not sit down on the floor. I had a tank toilet in my 1810 federal (bathroom from around 1900) -- think it was 13 gallons a flush.

By the 60's most I have encountered had the outlet even with the base -- they still had large outlets. Even floor level flanges are fine with a simple ring .. the funnels cause problems with older toilets. Also -- some people just use two rings no mater what .. more is not better ... teh extra wax has to go someplace

 

[bullnerd]

I install no seep #1 wax rings unless they're below floor level then a #3 no seep usually takes care of it.
I've never had problems caused by the funnel in them.
Did he get the old wax ring/funnel cleaned out before installing new one?

Im not sure, I wasn't there.

Water height in the bowl is set by the design of the trap & can not be adjusted.

There would have to be something damming up the water at the apex of the trap to make the water stand higher in the bowl

Water level while standing did not change, just when flushing.

This is what I have always used - this pair. The funnel and the short ring on top of that. Ensures plenty of contact & seal.

For the OP, I'd agree with others about running an auger through the toilet to be sure there is no blockage.

Toilet has been augered after it was re-installed.

.. the funnels cause problems with older toilets.

It has to be this.

Mom is waiting to hear back from the plumber to get his opinion.

 

[BajaScout]

Water height in the bowl is set by the design of the trap & can not be adjusted.

There would have to be something damming up the water at the apex of the trap to make the water stand higher in the bowl

Wonder what could get inside and dam up a toilet?

 

[danski0224]

A very small hairy brown beaver?

Or, perhaps a toothbrush collecting TP...