what causes toilet wax rings to crack?

Question

My wax ring cracked within a year of putting it in. I was told it's from a clog. Is it normal for a clog to crack a wax ring?

Answer 1

A wax ring's lifespan is at least several decades. Several possible causes of shortening that lifespan:

(1) as another answerer suggests, the toilet shifted as a result of not being properly bolted down. Your toilet should not move... not even a little.

(2) are there loose or uneven underlayments such as loose ceramic tiles that appear around the toilet?

(3) sometimes when trying to unclog a sink, you might try to pour very hot water down the drain to help clear congestion or a clog. You should, of course, NEVER pour anything hot down a toilet --- especially to remedy a clog --- as you can melt the wax ring.

(4) excessive and frequent plunging of clogs that are forming below the toilet flange (and thus below the wax ring). Most toilet clogs occur above the wax ring and plunging is very effective to clear them. If you have some sort of plumbing issue that is causing backup and frequent clogs below the wax ring, the act of plunging can put pressure on the wax ring and distort it.

Hope this is helpful.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Wax rings would usually crack because they have gotten old and brittle. It could be possible some chemical you might have put in your toilet would cause the wax to harden, but I would think a clog would not be a cause of your wax ring cracking.

Answer 3

A wax ring shouldnt crack! A clog wont make it crack. The only reason it would is because your toliet shifted.

Answer 4

Some times the toilet is not tight enough to the floor. If you move that seat just a little it will loosen the seal. Also if you had to pull the stall up just once after you put it to the floor then you need to replace it, it will never seal right.

Answer 5

Heavy loads.

Answer 6

they dry out.....