Lately, you’ve been experiencing leaks at the bottom of your toilet and you know that the problem is the wax ring: it needs changing.
But how much does it cost to replace a toilet wax ring? The toilet wax ring price itself is not expensive and may cost just $10. It is the labor of replacement by plumbing professionals that may cost quite a lot, ranging from $50 up to $150, depending on the locations.
If you are curious about how much does a plumber charge, check this table out:
| Expertise level | Average Cost (per hour) |
| Apprentice | $45-$90 |
| Journeyman | $70-$120 |
| Expert | $100-$200 |
In this article, we will be more specific about the cost such as the factors that affect it and whether you can do the task of changing the wax ring on the toilet by yourself.
Table of Contents
Toilet Wax Ring Replacement Cost
Having seen the average hourly cost of plumbing services from the table, you might be thinking, “If this is the cost to replace a wax ring on a toilet, then maybe I could just do it by myself.”
Before discussing this further, we only recommend replacing the wax ring on a toilet by yourself IF you have sufficient experience in plumbing, especially on this specific task.
If you’re a professional plumber, then we will have no complications; all you need is a new wax ring around $10 to $15.
Replacement Cost
Suppose you are knowledgeable in plumbing, then replacing the wax seal on the toilet will cost no more than the price of the wax ring itself, which is from $5 – $9.
The price depends on the brand and the specification of the wax seal. For example, the seal may be standard or with extra thickness to accommodate the flange’s size, since a shorter flange will need a thicker wax seal.
We listed some of the factors to consider when choosing your wax ring.
- Height of the flange
- Diameter of the drain
- Thickness of the wax
Keep in mind that the wax seal can be “wax-free.” It can be plastic, rubber, foam, or a mixture of these materials.
There are several brands that manufacture plastic gaskets, also available for around $10. Without wax, it is easier to install the ring, which is worth considering if you want a DIY job.
But what if upon checking the parts, it turns out that you need to replace the toilet flange and wax ring? Then that will add to your costs. Toilet flanges can be between $20 to $40, depending on the brand and features as well.
Labor Cost
If you hire a professional to replace or install a wax ring on the toilet, then you have to pay more than just the materials.
As we showed in the table of the introduction, the plumbers’ rates will vary. Not only by country, but also by province, state, or locality. Here are some of the factors that contribute to their rates.
- Average State wage
- Skills and licenses of the plumber
- The number of professional plumbers with the required skill set (i.e., if there are plenty of plumbers in the area, the tight competition may lower the rates)
In the labor costs, we will also consider the following things:
- Complexity of the work
- Timing of the job (emergency repairs may cost more than scheduled ones)
To give you more idea, one of the tasks of a plumber that will replace the wax ring will have to remove and carry the toilet. The pull and reset of the toilet costs between $145 to $200.
There are also plumbing companies that charge a flat rate instead of hourly such as Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Drain Service.
While the price will depend on the complexity of the wax seal replacement and other plumbing jobs that may arise, the services of Roto-Rooter cost around $160 to $450 on average.
Other Costs
Hiring a professional and licensed plumber may pose additional costs such as service, diagnostic, and transportation fees.
You may be asked to pay for a service and diagnostic fee as an allowance that will cover other plumbing problems that may be discovered. The cost will also depend on the difficulty of solving the issue.
You may also be asked to pay the transportation fees of the plumber, especially if it is hard to get through your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should a Toilet Wax Ring Be Replaced?
A toilet and all its parts, when properly installed, will last as long as 50 years. Meaning, the wax ring can also last for decades.
However, if you experience the following situations, then it is time to change your old toilet wax seal.
- leak around your toilet
- bad odor or stink that smells like sewage water
- unstable or wobbly toilet (i.e., the wax seal holds the flange which stabilizes the toilet)
How Long Does It Take for the Plumber to Replace the Toilet Wax Ring?
A professional plumber can take as short as 30 minutes to replace the toilet wax ring, and up to two hours. This is because not all of the toilets’ conditions are similar, even if it’s just the same job of replacing the wax ring will be done.
In some cases, other difficulties will be encountered, and the time may take longer. Read more about the time to replace a toilet here!
Conclusion
In how much does it cost to replace a toilet wax ring, it will vary according to the material, labor, and other considerations within the plumbing company such as transportation fees.
The toilet wax ring can be relatively cheap and may cost between $10 to $15, depending on the brand and the product’s features. If you will be doing the job by yourself, then this is the only expense that you have to consider.
If we hire a plumber, the hourly rate is not less than $25 in the US and may still change due to the job’s complexity.
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I’m Paulk Webb, and I work as a writer for Saveourwaterrebates. I’m happy to put in the time and effort to conduct market research to identify the most pressing issues faced by households concerning their plumbing. Feel free to check out our guides to get the most informed recommendations for how to solve your problems.