Faulty Wax Ring Symptoms

• The wax ring serves as a seal between the toilet bowl and the drain opening that rises up through the bathroom floor. Replace the wax ring to repair the water leaking beneath the bowl after you flush, and the tell-tale, noxious odors of sewer gases you sniff out.
  
  

Other Toilet Odor Sources

• The water level in the bowl may be too low, which would allow sewer gases to enter up through the toilet trap, into the bathroom. An internal crack in the bowl would also cause water to leak out, eventually dropping the bowl's water level enough to welcome sewer gases. An improperly vented bathroom drain, or a vent that is clogged, will also cause odors.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Make certain that when replacing the wax ring, you properly install the ring and carefully place the toilet back in place, with the wax ring connecting with the floor flange. A properly installed wax ring will seal out offensive sewer odors. If you are certain the wax ring is installed properly, check for other causes of bad toilet odors.