Re: About to replace a wax ring on a terlit for the first time in my life.

Esso® · 2025-03-22T14:35:10.022Z

Looks pretty straightforward, but figured I'd ask here if there's anything specific to watch out for, from those who've done it before.

76er®

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Stick the wax ring on the terlet, not the floor. Then, GENTLY set the terlet

Mar 22, 2025, 11:16 AM

directly straight down onto NEW bolts already installed in the floor flange. Try to work the terlit down STRAIGHT to the floor using pressure on the bowl, gently rocking from side to side, front to back, but DO NOT TWIST. The ring will smush out in all directions, you may see some coming out around the bolts. You should NOT see any coming out from around the outboard edges of the terlet itself, unless you have used one of those huge oversize wax rings, which are an excess pain. Once you have the teriet all the way down to the floor, all the way on all sides, then, and only then, put washers and nuts on the bolts and tighten gently.

Porcelain does not bend, it just breaks. So, do not put much torque on those bolts. That is why you MUST have the toilet already down to the floor before tightening. After the initial nutting, place ye olde buttocks on the toilet and put all your weight on it by holding up your feet. Gently wiggle your weight to force the terlet to further settle on all sides. This should further "seat" the terlet onto the wax ring and the floor. Check the bolts and tighten if they appear to have gotten looser due to this maneuver. (They almost certainly will have done so.) Wipe up any excess wax, cut off bolts flush with top of nut, and apply decorative nut cover. Enjoy your newly wax ringed throne.

Disclaimer: I realize it is not proper form to actually offer good advice in the lunge, but getting a terlit seal right is IMPORTANT, so I have deviated from this policy!