[mtdjed]

Recently cleaned tile grout throughout house (light Tan Color). Noticed that grout under front edge of one toilet base is darker and appears somewhat moist at times. In previous homes, problem indicated wax ring under toilet needed replacement. Simple job then (and 30 years younger). Turn off water, disconnect water line, drain and remove upper tank and bowl, disconnect bowl and remove. Remove old wax ring, clean floor and toilet fixtures, replace wax ring, reseat toilet, replace seal between bowl and tank etc.

Difference today is that bowl is grouted to floor. Is there still a wax ring, do they still need replacement? Seems like the grout/tile would prevent seal damage.

In any event, would bowl removal damage grout/ tile? Grout residue cleanup entire base of toilet?

May be simple process, but I sometimes initiate action and find things I did not anticipate.

I can just imagine that one of our plumbing contractors after a $100 arrival fee, would say I need a new toilet at $600.

Toilet is a Kohler. Home built in 2006.

Appreciate any experiences.

[ThirdOfFive]

You might want to look to another plumber. We use Village Plumber, LLC: no arrival fee, quick professional work, and parts at retail price.

In any event it is not a hard job. Two nuts, one on either side of the toilet (usually covered in porcelain or plastic caps) hold it to the floor. Be sure you turn the valve under the reservoir to "off". disconnect the water line and lift the toilet off. Plug the pipe with rags or your house will be redolent of the local turd grinder. Grout can be removed with a grout remover tool (few bucks at Lowe's) and if you're going to be replacing the toilet anyway, scratching the porcelain won't matter. New toilets are $200 - $400 at Lowe's and the wax ring is just a few bucks more.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

...

Difference today is that bowl is grouted to floor. Is there still a wax ring, do they still need replacement? Seems like the grout/tile would prevent seal damage.

In any event, would bowl removal damage grout/ tile? Grout residue cleanup entire base of toilet?

May be simple process, but I sometimes initiate action and find things I did not anticipate.

I can just imagine that one of our plumbing contractors after a $100 arrival fee, would say I need a new toilet at $600.

Toilet is a Kohler. Home built in 2006.

Appreciate any experiences.

Mine built around 2016 has caulking around the base of the toilet. You might very well have grout but are you sure it is not textured caulk?

I am not a plumber but I have never seen or heard of a residential toilet that does not use a wax seal. Mine does - I know this as I have had it replaced once.

[retiredguy123]

Yes, there is still a wax seal. You need to remove the grout from around the toilet base to replace the seal. I don't think the grout does anything to protect the wax seal. Any plumber should be able to replace the seal, but they may not replace the grout. After you replace the seal, maybe you can just caulk around the bottom of the toilet.

Are you sure the seal is leaking, and you don't just have water from cleaning the floor? If so, you will go to a lot of trouble for nothing.

[Topspinmo]

I would first mark toilet center lines to floor (both ways) Makes alignment easier when going back, but I use ruler or yard stick to verify square over the drain after removal. Then, just replace the wax ring and knock grout off and reseal it with good tub/sink chalking sealer. $25 or in parts and hour labor. If don’t get toilet aligned over the drain hole it will be slow to flush my experience last time I done it at my previous location. But, and big but? I am still able to do it. If can’t you have no choice to call referenced plumber?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Mine built around 2016 has caulking around the base of the toilet. You might very well have grout but are you sure it is not textured caulk?

I am not a plumber but I have never seen or heard of a residential toilet that does not use a wax seal. Mine does - I know this as I have had it replaced once.

Several types and designs.

Many professionals stick with wax because they know it's reliable, and they're paid to deal with the mess. If you're more comfortable with the tried-and-true approach, go with a wax seal. If you'd rather have something that's easy to install, then a modern, wax-free toilet seal might be a better choice

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Yes, there is still a wax seal. You need to remove the grout from around the toilet base to replace the seal. I don't think the grout does anything to protect the wax seal. Any plumber should be able to replace the seal, but they may not replace the grout. After you replace the seal, maybe you can just caulk around the bottom of the toilet.

Are you sure the seal is leaking, and you don't just have water from cleaning the floor? If so, you will go to a lot of trouble for nothing.

If hires plumber he should chalk it. But, who knows here in Florida?

In most parts of the United States, it is a requirement of building code to caulk around toilet bases. This could apply to both new builds and remodeling, though as regulations vary from one state to another it's a good idea to check local statutes.Jul 23

[MrFlorida]

They all have a wax seal, caulked or not.

[djlnc]

When I caulk around mine, I always leave a little opening in the back. I want to know if it starts leaking.

[RICH1]

all toilets use a wax seal....don't over tighten the anchor nuts! either you will crack the pvc closet flange or crack the toilet.. easy job , you can do it

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by RICH1

all toilets use a wax seal....don't over tighten the anchor nuts! either you will crack the pvc closet flange or crack the toilet.. easy job , you can do it

Redirect Notice

[collie1228]

Originally Posted by RICH1

all toilets use a wax seal....don't over tighten the anchor nuts! either you will crack the pvc closet flange or crack the toilet.. easy job , you can do it

Not true. All toilets don't use a was seal. I have replaced two toilet wax seals with a seal made of a flexible rubber-like material which, unlike wax, does not make a permanent seal which can fail if the toilet moves over time. The seal I used is made by Fluidmaster (and other manufacturers make one I'm sure) and sells for about $10.00 at Lowes. Neither has had any problems.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by collie1228

Not true. All toilets don't use a was seal. I have replaced two toilet wax seals with a seal made of a flexible rubber-like material which, unlike wax, does not make a permanent seal which can fail if the toilet moves over time. The seal I used is made by Fluidmaster (and other manufacturers make one I'm sure) and sells for about $10.00 at Lowes. Neither has had any problems.

Correct, but I interpreted the OP's comment in the generic sense. That, because the toilet was grouted to the floor, there may not be a floor seal at all. All toilets need a round seal between the toilet and the floor regardless of whether they are grouted or caulked. But, yes, some of the newer seals are made of rubber or plastic.

[Bill14564]

Note the OP's question is whether his toilet has a seal that may need to be replaced. Whether it is made of wax, plastic, or foam, the toilet has a seal that may need to be replaced. (Since the home was built in 2006, it is very likely to currently be a wax seal)

[dhdallas]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

Recently cleaned tile grout throughout house (light Tan Color). Noticed that grout under front edge of one toilet base is darker and appears somewhat moist at times. In previous homes, problem indicated wax ring under toilet needed replacement. Simple job then (and 30 years younger). Turn off water, disconnect water line, drain and remove upper tank and bowl, disconnect bowl and remove. Remove old wax ring, clean floor and toilet fixtures, replace wax ring, reseat toilet, replace seal between bowl and tank etc.

Difference today is that bowl is grouted to floor. Is there still a wax ring, do they still need replacement? Seems like the grout/tile would prevent seal damage.

In any event, would bowl removal damage grout/ tile? Grout residue cleanup entire base of toilet?

May be simple process, but I sometimes initiate action and find things I did not anticipate.

I can just imagine that one of our plumbing contractors after a $100 arrival fee, would say I need a new toilet at $600.

Toilet is a Kohler. Home built in 2006.

Appreciate any experiences.

I just replaced a wax ring. There is no reason for them to have caulked around the base of the toilet. I had to slide a putty knife around the base of mine to cut it loose from the caulking. I scraped it off the floor and when I reset the toilet I didn't bother to caulk around the base. My other tip; get the extra thick wax ring.