When I was replacing the flange some of the PVC pipe broke off and fell down the drain. 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. 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. 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. Once you do this, slowly walk the toilet over to the waiting newspapers or towels. Keep some newspaper or an old towel nearby so you can wipe off your putty knife as you work. Each nut should have a metal washer beneath it, and possibly a plastic one as well. 11. Reattach the water supply hose to the inflow valve on the toilet. If you damage the outflow pipe in the process, you’ll be facing costly repairs. 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. However, if you’re adding new flooring, your flange could be too low. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. 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. Turn the toilet sideways on the floor and locate the round mouth where the toilet sits atop the flange. If you discover a leak beneath your toilet and remove the toilet, you may discover that the flange is undamaged. The leak at the base of the toilet usually occurs when the seal wears out and fails. Tuck the disposable rag into the mouth of the sewage outflow pipe to block unpleasant odors and gasses from emitting. This article has been viewed 534,258 times. 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? The plan is to tile this bathroom. Place the flange over the soil pipe, then measure the gap between the bottom of the flange's collar and the finish floor. If it's cast iron, it's probably integrated into a cast iron outflow pipe. The wax will likely come off in sticky chunks. Hate Cooking and Cleaning? 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. A toilet can last for more than 30 years with minimal care. 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. As explained above, the lip of the toilet flange should sit flush on the floor all the way around. Make sure you’ve got it affixed tightly so there’ll be no dribbles or leaks later. Clean up and congratulate yourself on doing the job like a pro! Mop up any leftover water in the tank and bowl with an old towel. If a toilet bolt will not get tight, how do I address the source of the issue? Follow the instructions laid out in this guide on how to replace a toilet flange, and you’ll soon return to dry floors. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. There are 25 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If the toilet is flushing correctly, run your hand along the floor around the toilet base. For proper installation, must have 3/8 In. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. While the toilet’s draining, spread newspaper over the bathroom floor. Even if you reuse the flange, always install a new wax ring. Thank you, I didn't have to call a plumber! Having the old flange with you allows for a head-to-head comparison. However, if it doesn’t look to be in ideal condition, it’s best to just replace it. Eyeball the base to see if it looks level on all sides. When I try to pull it, the pipe moves with it. Can be installed in minutes once existing flange is cleaned and prepped. wikiHow's. Shower tray riser kits. However if you notice damage to the floor, or flange, you may want to replace them depending on the severity of damage. When done, you’ll have two bolts protruding up from the flange and floor, where the toilet will be remounted. However, you can also lay the ring (rounded side up) on top of the toilet flange, then set the toilet on top of it. Set the nuts aside to reattach the toilet when the flange replacement is complete. Replace the nuts back onto the bolts. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. No, simply replace wax ring or seal (rubber gasket seals are becoming more popular). Once again, any damage to the outflow pipe itself will be costly mistake. The drain pipe for my toilet sort of looks like a horn. 13. Simply scrape it off and smear it on the newspaper until you can access the top of the flange. But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Some residual water may leak out when you do this, so have a towel handy to wipe it up. Then, measure the interior diameter of the outflow pipe so you can buy a PVC flange with a rubber gasket that fits snugly inside it. By using our site, you agree to our. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. Fix Broken Toilet Flange. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Products, such as taller wax rings and flange spacers, are available to create the proper seal when the toilet is in place. In either case, it is best to call a plumber. Once back in the bathroom, remove the rag from the outflow pipe and place it in a plastic bag for disposal. 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. 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. Fit the new flange into place over the outflow pipe. However, you can install a rubber gasket the same way you'd install a wax ring. In this case, 85% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. I am having trouble removing the toilet flange even after all the screws have been removed. What to Do About a Leaking Toilet Tank. 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. Thanks, I believe I can do this! Use a drill to create new pilot holes in the flooring, if needed. Double-check your measurements and make note of them. clearance between flange and flooring. Turn the toilet sideways on the floor and locate the round mouth where the toilet sits atop the flange. 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. Step 8 – Close the toilet lid and sit down. Prepare to remove the toilet, keeping in mind that the average commode weighs between 70 and 120 pounds. Read on for tips on removing a glued-in flange and reinstalling the toilet! % of people told us that this article helped them. There’s no need to remove it from the wall unless you’re planning to replace it, too, or it’s so long that it might get in the way when your hands are full, trying to replace the toilet at the end of this project. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Do you have to replace the flange when you get a new toilet or can you just replace the wax ring? However, if the old flange has broken into pieces, you’ll definitely need this measurement. Turn the water valve back on and wait for the toilet reservoir tank to fill. Unscrew the tee bolts, remove the toilet from the floor, and move it aside. "I never thought I could install a new flange and wax ring for a toilet. Don’t plan on using this towel or shirt again—just toss it! Lift the flange off and clean it under a faucet or with disinfecting wipes. Clean away the deteriorated wax ring from the toilet base, remove the flange, and install the new parts. 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. I think this will be around for the long haul. Use the adjustable wrench if the nuts don’t loosen easily by hand. This will prevent water from refilling the tank after each flush, but won’t stop water from leaving the system. installation guide and successfully did it myself. If you can’t find a good match or need help in general, ask an employee at the store for help. If the flange is badly corroded, use a hammer and cold chisel to chop out the flange. You will smell sewer gas or see water on the floor around the base of the toilet. Instead of wax, some newer rings are rubber gaskets instead. Turn off the water main for the toilet by locating the knob on the wall behind it and turning clockwise. Thanks!". 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. Pull the loosened flange out of the cast-iron drainpipe with a pair of pliers. 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. 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. Wait for the bowl to fill, then flush again. If the flange has no cracks, chips, or deformations, you may choose to just reinstall it with a new wax ring. 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. You can find replacement bolts at any hardware store. Broken flange must be completely free of trash or debris around and under broken flange. This dampness means it might be time to replace the flange, the circular pipe fitting that connects the toilet to the sewage pipe. To avoid injury doing it yourself, straddle the unit, crouch down, and grab from under the bowl. 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. This is why it's important to install the toilet as perpendicular as possible. If not, wiggle it until it’s situated equally all around. Fit the Toilet Flange . Once the ring is centered in place, carefully lower the toilet onto the flange, using the bolt holes on the toilet base and the flange to line everything up properly. 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. 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. Lower the toilet slowly, as levelly as possible, so it slides over the bolts and returns to its rightful spot. If the flange is sitting only about ¼ inch of the floor, it is possible to use a wax ring sealed in place to fix this small gap. Unscrew the flange from the floor and lift it up to measure and inspect it. Find the screws (up to four) on the outside of the flange, which will need to come out. 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. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Watch for the bolts to meet up with the bolt holes on the toilet base. Disconnect the water supply from the toilet. If you don’t have the old flange, buy a new flange that matches the outflow pipe measurement you took. Vacuum up all dust and debris from around the drainpipe and bathroom floor. Set it carefully atop of the newspapers. Your safest bet is to call a plumber, but it is possible to do the job yourself--very carefully. This is a braided pipe or metal hose that runs out from the wall to the toilet, next to the valve. 10. Unfasten the two nuts on bolts that hold the toilet to the flange and floor. A small amount of water will run out of the hose, so keep a towel handy to sop it up. Then, remove the toilet by disconnecting the hoses and unscrewing the bolts on the floor. Now you’ll see the outflow or sewage pipe with the flange. Dry-fit the soil pipe into the closet bend. 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. 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. 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. You may cause the porcelain to crack. Don't cut any joists. Most toilet flanges come with 4 screws, but yours may have more or fewer. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers near you. We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. Replace the subfloor and the finish flooring. Super strong aluminum alloy will not rust or corrode. Do this two to three times to ensure proper function. But a piece that's about 4 inches is missing. Finally, purchase a new flange and screw it over the gasket on the outflow pipe. Whilst there are a range of shower tray sizes available, shower trays also come in varying heights. Cut off the drain pipe flush with the level of the finish floor, using a reciprocating saw. How to replace a flange on a cast iron pipe? Plastic couplings are usually only intended to be hand-tightened, while metal ones can be tightened with a wrench or pliers. While the tank fills, check for leaks at the connection point between the supply line and the toilet tank. Approved. It’s a good idea to call your local plumber and ask for a quote first, then you won’t get any nasty surprises. The Dos and Don’ts of Replacing a Toilet, 5 Most Common Toilet Troubles and How to Fix Them, Solved! Remove these also. It's conveniently compatible with all flange and toilet installations, as well as flooring types (including concrete). In this case, simply replace the wax ring and see if that corrects the leak. The new flange should come with new bolts and screws; if not, buy those as well, checking for fit. 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. If you’re able to take the old flange with you to the hardware store, this measurement is largely for backup purposes. Do I have to replace the whole drain pipe? 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. How far above the floor should the new toilet bowl flange be installed? Use your body weight to compress the wax seal and settle the toilet into place. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. When a toilet is leaking from the base, you may need to replace the toilet flange. 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. Use your multi-head screwdriver fitted with the corresponding screw bit to remove the screws. ", before I saw this video. After you placed it the rest of the way down, that now-flattened side could have left a gap, allowing smells to escape. After the toilet’s removed, inspect the closet flange. 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. References 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. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Double-check that the new flange is flush against the floor and fitting correctly with no gaps below. Set it aside on the newspaper. 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. 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. ", https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-toilet-flange/, https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/how-to-replace-toilet-flange.htm, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You’ll have to remove your toilet anyway if you have a water leak under the bowl. Then engage your core and lift the unit straight up—using your leg muscles, not your back—so it that it lifts cleanly off the bolts. Now screw the flange into place on the mount, using the new bolts and screws. How much does it cost to replace a toilet flange? Carefully lift the toilet (use your legs, not your back!). What do I need to do? The flange should be a little higher than your finished floor. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. That may happen sooner or later. It’s also important to read the industry code for toilet fitting relevant to your location and building materials, as local variations may exist. What can I do? You should be able to twist it off by hand, but if it’s too tight, use an adjustable wrench. ... You may have to carve out some of the tile or other flooring around the edge of the drain hole. Affix the new wax seal around the mouth by pressing firmly into place without over-handling or misshaping it. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Existing holes from the previous flange may be in the same location but be too large to hold the new screws. Once full, flush it. Some people wait to block up the pipe until after removing the old flange. Turn off the water supply behind the toilet and flush the toilet to empty the tank. 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. Will replacing the flange work before putting in the new toilet? 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. 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. Steffani Cameron, Bob Vila. Once the toilet has been removed, plug the outflow pipe with a towel, and then scrape off the wax ring. Measure the width the outflow pipe’s mouth. 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. 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. 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. Remove the old wax that sealed the toilet to the flange and pipe with a putty knife. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 534,258 times. 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. Read on for tips on removing a glued-in flange and reinstalling the toilet! Plus, 10 mounting holes and … The keys to success are precise measurements (so that you purchase the right-sized replacement flange) and extra attention to ensure that the toilet sits flush on the floor at the end of the project. If you have plastic caps that cover the bolts, just snap them in place. The new toilet flange set should come with nuts, bolts, and washers, but keep these ones handy just in case you need them. The neck of the flange should have a rubber gasket that creates a seal against the inside of the overflow pipe. By Steffani Cameron and Bob Vila. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 You need to lift the toilet straight up to clear the 2 bolts that are sticking up through the base. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Great! Install taller wax rings just as you would a typical wax ring. The neck of the flange should slide into the pipe snugly. Use a wet vac, turkey baster, or large sponge to remove any remaining water in the tank and the bowl. 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Turn the toilet up with the bolt holes on the wall to the drainpipe in the tank I., while metal ones can be tightened with a wrench or pliers line and the bowl collar and the floor. More popular ), buy those as well the width the outflow pipe to block up the until! Ring or seal ( rubber gasket that creates a seal against the,! And under broken flange service flooring around toilet flange some newer rings are rubber gaskets instead or corrode of readers voted...