I recently installed a couple of toilets in my home using flange extensions to match the new floor height and added a generous silicone bead inside the extensions. I also opted for an extra thick wax seal and made sure everything was tightened properly. As a DIY enthusiast, I followed all the guidelines I could find, so I don't think the installation is flawed. However, I'm really curious if there are ways to verify that my wax seals are functioning and that no leaks are present after installation, without having to disassemble everything. Most of the advice online focuses on signs like rotting subfloor or odors, but I want to identify leaks before any of that happens. Any tips or tricks would be appreciated, thanks!
3 Answers
A good tip I've picked up is to avoid sealing around the base of the toilet right away. Give it a couple of weeks to check for leaks. When I did my installation, I left a small gap at the back so if any leaks did happen, they wouldn't get trapped and would escape instead. So far, so good—no issues!
Before sealing everything up, just give it a few flushes and watch for any water around the base. It can be tricky though; sometimes, even with a bad installation, you might not see a leak immediately because of how toilets are designed.
A method I’ve successfully used is to slide a piece of paper under the toilet and leave it there for a day or two. If there’s moisture, it’ll soak through, and that makes it super easy to spot any leaks without a lot of fuss.
That makes sense! I won't caulk one of them for now, and maybe I’ll create a weep hole for the others too.