flooring around toilet flange

By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. However, if it doesn’t look to be in ideal condition, it’s best to just replace it. Pull the loosened flange out of the cast-iron drainpipe with a pair of pliers. The neck of the flange should slide into the pipe snugly. Shower tray riser kits. Learn more... A toilet flange connects the bottom of a toilet to the drainpipe in the floor of the bathroom. Install taller wax rings just as you would a typical wax ring. Double-check your measurements and make note of them. If not, wiggle it until it’s situated equally all around. If the flange is PVC, it is probably glued to a PVC outflow pipe. Some residual water may leak out when you do this, so have a towel handy to wipe it up. What to Do About a Leaking Toilet Tank. Purchase a correct-size wax seal for the new flange too. Each nut should have a metal washer beneath it, and possibly a plastic one as well. In either case, it is best to call a plumber. That may happen sooner or later. Plastic couplings are usually only intended to be hand-tightened, while metal ones can be tightened with a wrench or pliers. Even if you reuse the flange, always install a new wax ring. Assuming you’re asking for a plumber to come out, this could cost roughly around US$50 to US$200, probably leaning mostly to the upper end of costs. If the hole needs to be enlarged, trace around the flange's base with a pencil, then cut away the excess flooring with a jigsaw. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Toilet flange repair is one of those things…you don’t know you need it until you see a leak or see the flange when replacing a toilet. However, if the seal beneath the toilet fails for some reason, water will start leaking out and spilling on the floor. Once again, any damage to the outflow pipe itself will be costly mistake. The neck of the flange should have a rubber gasket that creates a seal against the inside of the overflow pipe. If you have an old flange made of cast iron that’s joined to a cast iron outflow pipe, you’ll have to meticulously chip away at the flange lip with a chisel and rubber mallet. Read on for tips on removing a glued-in flange and reinstalling the toilet! Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The new flange should come with new bolts and screws; if not, buy those as well, checking for fit. Don’t plan on using this towel or shirt again—just toss it! Super strong aluminum alloy will not rust or corrode. The drain pipe for my toilet sort of looks like a horn. 10. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Does not restrict flow of existing pipe. However if you notice damage to the floor, or flange, you may want to replace them depending on the severity of damage. Dry-fit the soil pipe into the closet bend. This dampness means it might be time to replace the flange, the circular pipe fitting that connects the toilet to the sewage pipe. Cut off the drain pipe flush with the level of the finish floor, using a reciprocating saw. Thanks, I believe I can do this! The old toilet flange was rusting, and the subfloor was rotting, so I pulled up the subfloor around the toilet, and replaced the drain pipe with ABS, and an elbow. The flange should sit on top of the finished floor, if it doesn't you'll have to modify the plumbing or find another way to achieve this. Fit the Toilet Flange . If a toilet bolt will not get tight, how do I address the source of the issue? Lower the toilet slowly, as levelly as possible, so it slides over the bolts and returns to its rightful spot. If the lip of the flange won’t rest flush to the floor all the way around, the flooring is likely warped or damaged due to water. The flange should be a little higher than your finished floor. Watch for the bolts to meet up with the bolt holes on the toilet base. Is the floor dry? Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers near you. After the toilet’s removed, inspect the closet flange. Then, remove the toilet by disconnecting the hoses and unscrewing the bolts on the floor. Set it aside on the newspaper. Turn off the water main for the toilet by locating the knob on the wall behind it and turning clockwise. Turn off the water supply behind the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the tank. wikiHow's. Finally, purchase a new flange and screw it over the gasket on the outflow pipe. If you’re not confident in your ability to lift it on your own, enlist a helper. Make sure there are several sheets of paper in layers, because this is where you’ll place the toilet once you’ve removed it from the mount. Should it be flush with floor, or below or above? If you have plastic caps that cover the bolts, just snap them in place. To replace a toilet flange, lay newspaper down on the floor around the toilet, and turn off the water to the toilet before flushing and siphoning all of the water out of the bowl. Do you have to replace the flange when you get a new toilet or can you just replace the wax ring? Use your body weight to compress the wax seal and settle the toilet into place. Find the screws (up to four) on the outside of the flange, which will need to come out. If the flange is badly corroded, use a hammer and cold chisel to chop out the flange. If the flange is PVC but is glued to the inside or outside of a PVC outflow pipe, you’ll have to carefully use a chisel and/or a drill with a hole-saw bit to work it free. Turn the toilet sideways on the floor and locate the round mouth where the toilet sits atop the flange. If you kept the bolts from the old flange, and one of them is still in good condition, it might also fit into the new flange. After you placed it the rest of the way down, that now-flattened side could have left a gap, allowing smells to escape. If the bolts are too long, however, you may need to trim them with a hacksaw so that the plastic caps will fit over them. If you’re using the newer type of “wax ring” that is actually a rubber gasket, lay it rounded side up on the toilet flange and place the toilet on top of it. Approved. Read on for tips on removing a glued-in flange and reinstalling the toilet! Unfasten the two nuts on bolts that hold the toilet to the flange and floor. This is why it's important to install the toilet as perpendicular as possible. References Make sure you’ve got it affixed tightly so there’ll be no dribbles or leaks later. If you damage the outflow pipe in the process, you’ll be facing costly repairs. Wait for the bowl to fill, then flush again. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. A small amount of water will run out of the hose, so keep a towel handy to sop it up. If you’ve lost the new bolts, you can likely reuse the bolts from the old flange, provided that they’re still in good condition. If so, use a mallet to tap plastic wall anchors into the holes, then drive the screws through the flange lip and into the anchors. Replace the nuts back onto the bolts. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Instead of wax, some newer rings are rubber gaskets instead. This article has been viewed 534,258 times. installation guide and successfully did it myself. Disconnect the water supply from the toilet. Do not tighten the nuts that hold the toilet to the flange too tightly. The Dos and Don’ts of Replacing a Toilet, 5 Most Common Toilet Troubles and How to Fix Them, Solved! If you’re able to take the old flange with you to the hardware store, this measurement is largely for backup purposes. As explained above, the lip of the toilet flange should sit flush on the floor all the way around. If it's cast iron, it's probably integrated into a cast iron outflow pipe. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Double-check that the new flange is flush against the floor and fitting correctly with no gaps below. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 534,258 times. You could also place the removed toilet in a nearby tub or shower stall, but there’s a chance the bottom of the toilet will scratch up the tile and/or the tub’s finish. How far above the floor should the new toilet bowl flange be installed? Luckily, swapping in a new toilet flange is a fairly common plumbing repair that many handy homeowners can manage, saving anywhere from $100 to $200 on hiring a pro. While the tank fills, check for leaks at the connection point between the supply line and the toilet tank. How to replace a flange on a cast iron pipe? 13. This process is the same whether you pressed the wax ring to the underside of the toilet or placed it on top of the flange. If I have a new toilet, what can cause smells to come out of the wax rings: If you tilted the toilet while installing it, it could have caused the wax to squeeze out more on one side. Prepare to remove the toilet, keeping in mind that the average commode weighs between 70 and 120 pounds. Now you’ll see the outflow or sewage pipe with the flange. Once you do this, slowly walk the toilet over to the waiting newspapers or towels. However, by blocking it now, you stop sewer gases earlier and provide protection against accidentally losing things—wax ring bits, screws, bolts, etc.—down the pipe. No, simply replace wax ring or seal (rubber gasket seals are becoming more popular). Plus, 10 mounting holes and … To replace a toilet flange, lay newspaper down on the floor around the toilet, and turn off the water to the toilet before flushing and siphoning all of the water out of the bowl. % of people told us that this article helped them. The plan is to tile this bathroom. The bathroom may well be the wet spot in any home, but water pooling around the base of the commode doesn’t fall in the norm. So my question is- should the toilet flange sit on top of the backer board so that the top of the flange is close to flush with the top of the tile? If you don’t have the old flange, buy a new flange that matches the outflow pipe measurement you took. The bottom face of the flange should rest on (or be supported with spacer rings to be even with) the finished floor, so that the entirety of the flange is above the finished floor. Keep some newspaper or an old towel nearby so you can wipe off your putty knife as you work. If you can’t find a good match or need help in general, ask an employee at the store for help. What can I do? This will prevent water from refilling the tank after each flush, but won’t stop water from leaving the system. I was able to read the step-by-step, "I am getting ready to replace an old toilet, and was unaware of the flange and how to replace or even remove it, "The refresh on the toilet flange height and install helped.The whole article was interesting. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 11. Fix Broken Toilet Flange. It’s also important to read the industry code for toilet fitting relevant to your location and building materials, as local variations may exist. This is usually the more popular choice mainly because it is easier and can really do the trick if your broken toilet flange is iron or metal. When a toilet is leaking from the base, you may need to replace the toilet flange. An improperly fitted toilet is often caused by the flange not sitting on the finished floor but rather, sitting above it, or it is not level with the floor. Install the toilet closet flange on top of the flooring by solvent-gluing it to the drain stub-out and screwing the flange down to the subfloor. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. What do I need to do? The new toilet flange set should come with nuts, bolts, and washers, but keep these ones handy just in case you need them. ... You may have to carve out some of the tile or other flooring around the edge of the drain hole. Measure the width the outflow pipe’s mouth. Great! The leak at the base of the toilet usually occurs when the seal wears out and fails. Lift the flange off and clean it under a faucet or with disinfecting wipes. You may cause the porcelain to crack. Hate Cooking and Cleaning? If the flange has no cracks, chips, or deformations, you may choose to just reinstall it with a new wax ring. Thanks!". Steffani Cameron, Bob Vila. However, you can also lay the ring (rounded side up) on top of the toilet flange, then set the toilet on top of it. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Purchase a toilet flange extension ring thick enough to raise the toilet mounting surface so that it's approximately 1/4-inch above the level of the finished tile floor. Affix the new wax seal around the mouth by pressing firmly into place without over-handling or misshaping it. Once the water is turned off, flush the toilet, then wait for the bowl to refill, and flush again, repeating until all the water from both the bowl and reservoir has drained from the toilet. While the toilet’s draining, spread newspaper over the bathroom floor. A toilet can last for more than 30 years with minimal care. You can find replacement bolts at any hardware store. If closing this valve fails to shut off the water supply completely, you’ll have to shut off the water further down the line—potentially at the main shutoff valve near your water meter. Don't cut any joists. Once full, flush it. The wax will likely come off in sticky chunks. This is a braided pipe or metal hose that runs out from the wall to the toilet, next to the valve. How do I know if the wax ring needs replacing? Some people wait to block up the pipe until after removing the old flange. 12. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Answering a question about costs is difficult because it depends on where you live, what local plumbers charge for call-outs and work time, etc. Simply scrape it off and smear it on the newspaper until you can access the top of the flange. Notice in this image how the toilet waste pipe sits just inside the flange opening, this is the proper way for a toilet to sit on a flange. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Use the adjustable wrench if the nuts don’t loosen easily by hand. Now put your weight into it and press the toilet down as firmly to engage the wax seal with the flange. By Steffani Cameron and Bob Vila. How much does it cost to replace a toilet flange? When I was replacing the flange some of the PVC pipe broke off and fell down the drain. Most toilet flanges come with 4 screws, but yours may have more or fewer. Remove these also. Do I have to replace the whole drain pipe? Without a secure, solid footing on your commode, persistent leaking can damage flooring, cause mold to develop, or even emit wastewater, potentially causing hygiene and health issues for anyone in the household. To avoid injury doing it yourself, straddle the unit, crouch down, and grab from under the bowl. It's conveniently compatible with all flange and toilet installations, as well as flooring types (including concrete). And remember to plan your DIY day accordingly: You’ll need to remove the toilet, measure the flange, and then make a run to the plumbing supply or hardware store in a short span so that you aren’t living with a nonworking toilet for long. Remove the old wax that sealed the toilet to the flange and pipe with a putty knife. You need to lift the toilet straight up to clear the 2 bolts that are sticking up through the base. In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. When done, you’ll have two bolts protruding up from the flange and floor, where the toilet will be remounted. Use a wet vac, turkey baster, or large sponge to remove any remaining water in the tank and the bowl. Can be installed in minutes once existing flange is cleaned and prepped. I used this flange to piggyback on top of an old iron flange after tiling floor in order to raise the height, seems like a much sturdier connection to toilet with more integrity than a spacer. But a piece that's about 4 inches is missing. Put the old flange into a plastic bag and head to your local hardware store, plumbing supply, or home center and buy a flange of corresponding size, type, and shape. Most modern shower trays feature a low level design for ease of access, but if you wish to raise your shower tray up, you can use a shower tray riser kit. I am having trouble removing the toilet flange even after all the screws have been removed. Carefully lift the toilet (use your legs, not your back!). When I try to pull it, the pipe moves with it. It is best that the flange is level with the floor; the higher a flange sits above the floor, the greater the likelihood of poor fitting and problems with the toilet leaking. clearance between flange and flooring. Reattach the water supply hose to the inflow valve on the toilet. Your safest bet is to call a plumber, but it is possible to do the job yourself--very carefully. Will replacing the flange work before putting in the new toilet? I think this will be around for the long haul. Replace the subfloor and the finish flooring. In this case, simply replace the wax ring and see if that corrects the leak. Clean away the deteriorated wax ring from the toilet base, remove the flange, and install the new parts. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Tuck the disposable rag into the mouth of the sewage outflow pipe to block unpleasant odors and gasses from emitting. Keep these as an emergency backup for the screws that come with your new flange kit. Once you lift the toilet off the flange, you’ll usually find that flange replacement is a manageable DIY project; however, you may decide it’s best to call a plumber in some circumstances. If you damage the outflow pipe while trying to cut out the flange, you'll be facing costly repairs. You should do any needed floor repairs (or call in a pro to do them) before proceeding. "I never thought I could install a new flange and wax ring for a toilet. Once the toilet has been removed, plug the outflow pipe with a towel, and then scrape off the wax ring. Turn the toilet sideways on the floor and locate the round mouth where the toilet sits atop the flange. The bolt broke halfway! wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Unscrew the flange from the floor and lift it up to measure and inspect it. You have to slowly chisel away the lip of the old flange, being careful not to damage the cast iron outflow pipe (or you'll be in for pricey repairs!). You should be able to twist it off by hand, but if it’s too tight, use an adjustable wrench. Existing holes from the previous flange may be in the same location but be too large to hold the new screws. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Use your hand at first, and then tighten with the adjustable wrench to ensure the toilet won’t rock or wiggle in months to come. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Replace-a-Toilet-Flange-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Replace-a-Toilet-Flange-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f6\/Replace-a-Toilet-Flange-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1804632-v4-728px-Replace-a-Toilet-Flange-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"