[myoldhouse]

Hello Tom,
I replaced the bowl ring on my upstairs toilet when I rebuilt it about four years ago. Recently, we noticed bubbles and then a leak through the plaster ceiling in the entry below. Traced to the toilet upstairs, I found the bowl ring appeared to have [I]dissolved or melted[I] and was no longer sealing. I wonder if overuse or too much chlorinated cleaner could be the culprit, as I hardly ever use boiling water to flush my w/c:rolleyes:

I've lifted enough of your sage advice from this board to think you should send me a bill monthly. Thanks in advance, and have a great weekend.

Dave

[speedball1]

Good morning Dave.

I wonder if overuse or too much chlorinated cleaner could be the culprit?

I doubt it or we would have more complaints then just yours. I would simply replace the wax seal and reset the toilet. Good luck, Tom

[Milo Dolezal]

Today's "wax" rings are not true wax. It is look-alike material. You probably got something cheaply made and it dried and deteriorated. Otherwise, under optimal conditions, wax ring is not really in contact with flushed toilet water.

As Tom suggested: just replace it and you will be set for the next 20 years.

[myoldhouse]

Good morning Dave.

I doubt it or we would have more complaints then just yours. I would simply replace the wax seal and reset the toilet. Good luck, Tom

I had a spare of the same make in my plumbing supplies and threw that in there-nothing like a plumbing emergency late on a Friday to get the stomach acid flowing. I'll go down and pick up a couple of "better" ones next time I hit Lowe's and make a more permanent repair. No kidding, though, from the looks of it, and if I didn't know better (and double checked again, to make sure) the toilet was hooked to very hot water. I'll keep an eye to it for now, and thanks again, both of you, for the response.

Dave

[speedball1]

if I didn't know better (and double checked again, to make sure) the toilet was hooked to very hot water.

And you didn't find hot water supplying the tank did you? Cheers, Tom,

[myoldhouse]

And you didn't find hot water supplying the tank did you? Cheers, Tom,

Thankfully, no. But a long time back, as an electrical apprentice, my boss told me "You can't find a hot wire by what you think-you have to go by what you know." So, even if I think everything checks out, I always end up looking one more time. Take care

Dave

[speedball1]

Are you a electrician? If so we can always use more experts. Regards, Tom

[myoldhouse]

I learned a lot in the year-and-a-half I worked there, but never pursued it any further. I know enough about the basics to do most of my own troubleshooting and repair or installation work safely. My advice to people on here has been confined to absolutes or easy fixes, or for them not to fool around with it if they're not familiar with it. Some things are easy DIY projects, but since electricity can kill you pretty quickly if you do something stupid, or burn your house down, I don't dabble very deep or advise much. In real life, I've been in the parts business for about 25 years. (TKRussell is my go-to on the sparky side of things). Thanks for all your good advice and help.

Dave