Leaking Toilet

[kennethfung]

Our toilet backed up and water started to leak from the base on the toilet. Looked online and found that most likely the backup caused water to leak out of the wax seal. Called home warranty and plumber came out. He was able to unclog the toilet. When I asked him if he was going to replace wax seal, he said no need. All we had to do was to put caulking around the base of the toilet in case the wax seal leaks in the future. He said the only reason the wax seal was leaking previously was because of the pressure caused by the backup. My question to this forum - if the wax seal leaked once does that mean it's broken and needs to be repaired or is there a chance that it's still ok?

 

[breplum]

Once the seal is broken, it does not re-seal magically.
Caulking around a WC base is code per UPC, but a gap is left at the back to allow leaks to flow and be seen.
You may not notice a sewer gas smell in the future if you do not reset on new wax. But as a normal practice, resetting should be part of the service.
With a good wax seal/setting, we don't normally see leaking at the base when a WC backs up to the rim.

 

[MicEd69]

Leaking wax rings do NOT heal themselves.

Caulking the toilet base is NOT to help seal a failed wax ring! I would NEVER hire that plumber again. Toilet caulking is to keep water used for washing the floor and urine from little boys and old men with bad aim from getting under the toilet and causing a smell and mildew and fungi growth. And then you should ALWAYS leave a section in the back of the toilet not caulked in case you do have a wax seal failure.

 

[kennethfung]

Once the seal is broken, it does not re-seal magically.
Caulking around a WC base is code per UPC, but a gap is left at the back to allow leaks to flow and be seen.
You may not notice a sewer gas smell in the future if you do not reset on new wax. But as a normal practice, resetting should be part of the service.
With a good wax seal/setting, we don't normally see leaking at the base when a WC backs up to the rim.

Thank you

 

[kennethfung]

Leaking wax rings do NOT heal themselves.

Caulking the toilet base is NOT to help seal a failed wax ring! I would NEVER hire that plumber again. Toilet caulking is to keep water used for washing the floor and urine from little boys and old men with bad aim from getting under the toilet and causing a smell and mildew and fungi growth. And then you should ALWAYS leave a section in the back of the toilet not caulked in case you do have a wax seal failure.

Thank you