I have replaced the toilets wax ring three times and it still leaks.What am I doing wrong?
We also have a problem with the toilet not wanting to flush. We have to hold the handle down until it flushes. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn't.
On the wax ring problem,there is a (like metal bowl)right below the flange. And the flange is above the surface of the floor, not flush. Also I have looked at a picture of a toilet online
And I saw a lip on the bottom of the toilet where the wax ring goes. Our toilet does not have this. Is this the reason the wax ring keeps on leaking? I have also tried using shims under the toilet being that the flange is above the surface of the floor.

My main questions are, why does the wax ring keep leaking?
And.
Why doesn't the toilet flush with just one push of the toilet

This is Jeff V

I would appreciate any advice. I hope to fix this problem before relatives come in for the
Holidays. Thanks for your time.:confused:

When you take the commode up after you have tried the new wax and it has still leaked?? It is possible that the leak is below where the wax ring seals, What kind of pipe and flange do you have under the commode. If this is a new commode it is possible that the commode has a hole in it and that is where the water is getting out on to the floor.

There are many reasons the commode is not flushing on the first flush, Does it have enough water in the tank?. does the flapper or the ball stay up long enough for the water to get out of the tank?. When flushed does the water rise in the toilet bowl and if so does it just swirl around and not go down?. And there are other thing I would have to know before I could tell you why it will not flush.

Have you considered using a wax seal with a attached funnel? As to that slow flushing potty I have one that most repair plumbers miss.. Look down at the bottom of the bowl. If there is a small hole, then that is a jet that starts the syphon action. If it's clogged the water will just swirl around and slowly go down leaving solids behind. Take your finger,(UGH! ) and run it around the inside of the opening. Over the years minerals build up and cut down on the syphon (flush) action. If it is rough or you feel build up, take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Next take a coathanger and clear out the holes around the rim. They start the swirling action. And last, check the water level in the tank. It should be 1/2" below the top of the over flow tube. And speaking of the overflow tube, Make sure the small 1/8" tube from the ballcock to the white overflow tube is connected so it discharges in it and that it's flowing when the ballcock fills. This is what raises the water level in the bowl. For a good solid flush they all have to work together. Hope this helps . Tom

I looked at this thread having the same problem. Here is my situation: The little jets around the rim are all open and working properly. Water level is correct. Flapper valve is being held open to allow full flow. 1/2" hole appearsto be open HOWEVER.... there is very little water coming from it to start the jet action. the commode and waste lines are clear, if i pour half a bucket of water directly into the bowl it flushes completely. Trying to flush nomally, i get very good swrling action but the bowl doesnt empty. Question.... is it possible to force compressed air into the 1/2"hole to maybe blow out any trash/deposits that might be lodged in the jet orfice? Thanks in advance. Hammy HELP!!

Take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Regards, tom

take a table knife and put a bend in it to get around the curve in the bowl and chip and scrap it clear. Regards, tom Tom, Which way does the 1/2" hole normally go/ towards the front or rear of the bowl once it enters. I can stick my little finger up in there

There are several different thicknesses of wax ring seals. There is a "standard" thickness and extended thickness. Depending on the dimensions from the drain pipe & the underside of the toilet, you may need a thicker seal, especially if you have thick floor tiles. You can use a thicker seal on installations requiring a standard thickness, it just compresses more.

Cheers, Tom

This commode has perfectly for many years so I don't think the wax ring is the problem

OK! How high is the water level in the bowl? How high is the tank level? That little hole is the jet. The jet will found be in the front of the bowl. If all you can stick in the jet is your little finger then it has mineral buil-up and needs to be cleared. It should not feel rough in there. If there's not a good stream coming out of the jet then it's blocked at the hole or up in the bowl where that tank sets. Regards, Tom

OK! How high is the water level in the bowl? How high is the tank level? That little hole is the jet. The jet will found be in the front of the bowl. If all you can stick in the jet is your little finger then it has mineral buil-up and needs to be cleared. It should not feel rough in there. If there's not a good stream coming out of the jet then it's blocked at the hole or up in the bowl where that tank sets. regards, Tom !) the water lever in the bowl is at its normal height, based on similar commode in master bath. 2) the water lever is 1/4" below overflow. The flow must be blocked at the tank / bowl connection. I'm getting a GOOD swriling action from the holes around the rim .

Are you sure the new wax seals are not partially closing the drain. Tom has suggested beveling the wax outward before installing in other discussion.

OK, I took the tank/bowl apart and tried cleaning out the jet hole from the top and replaced the gasket between the tank & the bowl to no avail. The jet hole in the bottom of the bowl appears to be clean going up the front of the bowl. I was able to run a coat hanger down from the top of the bowl. Any thoughts on using a product called LINE-A-Way to try and disolve some line deposits? This commde is in a half bath and is not used as much as the one in the main hallway over the years. Could be the reason for any possilbe buildup. The commode flushes fine IF I pour the flush water directly into the bowl by passing the tank. So I feel comfortable that the drain line is open from the comode. Any thoughts? :mad:

If you need Lime-a-Way because of mineral build up then I would recheck the jet. Regards, Tom