Hello to everyone. I recentley installed 3/4″ hardwood floor in a bathroom. I added a spacer on the water closet to reach my new floor height. I used a new wax ring and installed a new Kohler toilet. There are no leaks, however sometimes the smell of sewer gas can be detected when the fan is run and drawing air. I did not add plumbers putty to the outer bottom rim as the instructions stated it was optional. I also did not put any type of caulk or putty on the spacer. I am going to reset the toilet and add putty around the rim. Any other thoughts? Thanks Tony
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You must seal the extension to the existing flange if you want a gas seal. The kits I have purchased have three or so rings and a small tube of caulk, Poly-seam-seal I think. Any good quality caulk will do (probably less than quality would be ok, but who wants to pull a crapper again because you used a tenth of a $.99 tube of caulk).
I had a similar problem with a 1" thick Saltillo tile floor that replaced a 1/4" tile floor.
Forget the fancy extension for the flange. Go to the store and buy 1 wax ring WITH a plastic "tail" extension, and another PLAIN wax ring.
Put the plain ring over the "tailpiece", so you have a double height wax ring, then the whole thing over the horn on the WC. The plastic tailpiece is long enough to get past the second ring and down into the flange. Then set the toilet the usual way.
Mine's held up for 7 years now, no problems.
You might want to putty that rim, but that isn't gonna help you with sewer gas. It might help you stabilize the commode, but the bolts should do the job. Probably better to putty the front and sides, to keep floor washing water out from under, but leave the back open, so if you do get a leak, you'll know sooner than later.
Steve
Edited 11/10/2004 4:01 pm ET by Steve
Edited 11/10/2004 4:02 pm ET by Steve
They sell double thickness ones with horn. Another option might be that waxless one but it sure looks flakey to me.
Use the set up you have but put a bead of silicone between the extension ring and the original flange. Put your wax ring on (new one, not the one you used before) the type with the plastic horn and you will be fine. You can do it with 2 or 4 or 16 wax rings and it will work, or use what you have and do it the proper way. DanT