Question from TA
We are planning to replace 3 toilets in our home, and this is our first experience with installing toilets. I know that a wax ring, or some alternative, is necessary. I saw some non-wax alternatives online, but upon closer reading, it appears that they are made of PVC or polyurethane foam (also antimicrobial). So even though they are supposed to be far easier to install and other such benefits, I’d rather not purchase those kinds of products.
Is the basic wax ring a good option, or do you have another recommendation for what to use? I know my husband would prefer whichever is easier to install, and those alternative ones are claimed to be easier. Perhaps there’s a wax alternative that is non-toxic but I just haven’t seen it yet.
After looking a bit more, I saw this option for a wax-free gasket. I checked the company’s website, and it specifies that they use a special type of rubber. I suppose this could have a strong rubber smell. But perhaps it’s better than buying PVC or PU foam? I guess I’m looking for the less-toxic option, whatever that may be!
http://www.amazon.com/Fluidmaster-7500P8-Wax-Free-Bowl-Gasket/dp/B000BQUG7U/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1397501239&sr=8-7&keywords=wax+ring+for+toilet
Then regarding the toilet seat selection, I know I read long ago that you use wood seats. Would you mind sharing a link to the type of seat you have found? When I find “wood” seats, they seem to be either 1) molded wood (is that okay?) or 2) finished with a glossy finish, and I don’t know if the finish is toxic or not. Have you found ones that are only wood? I have to wonder if a polypropylene seat is better than a glossy finished wood or molded wood (which has been made white somehow – so again, is the finish non-toxic?).
I was looking at our existing toilet and noticed the caulking around the base. I realized I hadn’t considered whether that type of product is usually toxic. My husband will know what to get at the hardware store to get the job done, but won’t necessarily know if it’s non-toxic. Can you point me in the direction of a safe product to use there, where the toilet connects to the floor?
Are there any other components I should be aware of, that will take special effort to locate in a non-toxic version?
Debra’s Answer
I’ve installed a number of toilets and we’ve always used the wax ring. I never had a problem with them. Once installed it is covered completely by the toilet.
For toilet seats, I bought mine years ago and they are getting more difficult to find. Here are a number of solid wood toilet seats, but as you said, the finish may be problematic and we don’t know what the finish is on any of them.
They don’t sell unfinished wood toilet seats, but you could buy the toilet seat you like and sand the finish off if necessary and apply the finish you like. See, here’s an opportunity for some industrious person. Go to a wood toilet seat manufacturer, buy some wholesale unfinished, apply a nontoxic finish, and sell them. A niche waiting to be served. A wood toilet seat needs a finish to protect it from water. But it doesn’t need to be toxic.
For caulk you can get EcoBond at Home Depot.
No other components I can think of.
http://www.comfort-seat.com/flyers/consumer/Natural%20Wood%20and%20Decrotive%20Hinges%20Flyer.pdf
Here is another example. The veneer is over MDF. Since the veneer entirely covers the MDF, does this make it safe, in terms of formaldehyde emission? It still doesn’t address the type of finish used. But I’m trying to decipher which type of seat is the best option, since probably none of them is completely non-toxic.
Veneer does not block formaldehyde emissions. However, you could apply AFM Safe Seal to the toilet seat and it would block any emissions from particleboard or finish.
Also, I’m looking at the reviews for one of the veneered seats, and the reviewers say it is “junk,” “poor quality,” etc. 🙁
One of the brands that has a glossy finish, also appears to use antimicrobial treatment.
Yep, sounds like a niche market, if someone wants to start making good seats. 🙂
Are the typical “molded wood” seats actually toxic? What about using polypropylene seats?
I don’t know what type of resins are used in “molded wood” and so I just stay away from any type of wood that is not solid wood. Polypropylene is a plastic but not very toxic. I personally don’t like the feel of sitting on a plastic toilet seat.
It appears that the wood seats are actually wood veneer, or molded wood. Well, those are 2 things really: 1) molded wood (this can be toxic, right?) or 2) wood veneer – which I think is the veneer on top of some molded wood…maybe? So is the wood veneer okay? Maybe the veneer blocks any offgassing of formaldehyde or whatever is used in the molded wood underneath?
Thank you for the Eco-Bond recommendation!
Veneer does not block anything. It’s a very very thin piece of wood.