Gently tightening the nuts on the closet bolts locks the whole assembly together. I removed a toilet to put ceramic tile down. Place a brass washer over each bolt, and then press a wax ring down over the flange. The center of the drain is placed 12 inches from the back wall, and 15 inches or more from the closest side wall for standard toilets. An extender (or possibly two) will bring the height of the flange back to where it should be. Give the grout 24-hours to dry and sand down the rough edges. How to Raise Toilet Seats. Flange … About: We love home improvement and enjoy sharing tips on YouTube and Home Repair Tutor. They did an awesome job and the floors still look amazing. Most extenders come with long bolts, which may be necessary if the flange is below the floor level. Second, you can raise your floor by laying down thicker tile. Basically what we're doing is sandwiching the new closet flange extender ring (or spacer, whichever) onto the old closet flange. The toilet flange serves 2 significant purposes, which are to hold the toilet bowl to the bathroom floor and to provide a seal between the waste drain pipeline and the bottom of the toilet. These rubber shims will keep your toilet from moving while you’re working on the flange. Apply a generous bead of 100% silicone caulk on top of the old closet flange. Let me know your questions in the comments. After you remove the wax ring, make sure you plug right away the drain with an old towel or ball of rags that is large enough that it does not fall into the drain pipe. Copyright © 2021 Rooter Guard. A toilet flange extender fits over the existing flange to raise the drain connection to the surrounding flooring. This is in my basement bathroom so I have no access under the floor. And to the bottom of the new closet flange extender. ? Increasing Toilet Flange Height; Author: jtjayne (IL) I installed tile floor in bathroom. It can correct flange elevations ranging from 1/4 in. I have literally shimmed up dozens of toilet flanges for tile floors if I knew that tile was being used when I did the rough plumbing. Don't measure from the baseboard to the the closet flange bolts as this will give you the incorrect rough in. If you do measure from the baseboards to the bolts just deduct the baseboard width from your dimension.". Either slide the new closet flange bolts into the old flange before adding the extender or add them after you adhere the extender to the old flange. For one, it should be done if your toilet bowl moves or rocks too much, which can easily cause damage to such a component. Mine is the old cast iron variety. And again, keep the screws in a safe place, as you will need them for replacing the component later on. Let me explain...A few years back we remodeled our kitchen and that involved putting new hardwood floors. the toilet isn't used very much so I wasn't worried, but I know I need to fix it and now I know how. This gap is where water leaks when you flush your toilet...and we all know what's in toilet water. If you are not able to fix a rocking toilet by tightening the bolts of the flange, the most probable reason would be that the flange is not able to hold down the toilet. to 1-5/8 in. In general terms, a flange is a projecting flat collar or rim that is used as an attachment when assembling things. Flange extenders are commonly sold in 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch sizes to raise the height of the existing flange 1/4 or 1/2 inch. Wearing a pair of disposable gloves, remove the wax ring. Finally, tighten the nuts to the bolts with a crescent wrench until the bolts are nice and snug. This has to be secured to the subfloor with screws.A second option is to use a closet flange repair kit. Raising the closet flange 2"???? If the closet flange is below the finished floor, a gap will form between the bottom of the toilet bowl and top of the wax ring. A damaged toilet flange will result in leaks. The first thing you must do is to switch off the water supply of your home, which you can do by either shutting off the master valve outside your home or in the street or switching off the shut-off valve that is in line with the pipes leading to your toilet. Do I need to replace a toilet flange when installing a new toilet? When choosing from the many different types of solvent that you can use, go for one that will work on the glue used on your pipes, but not on the pipes themselves. Also, you'll need extra long closet flange bolts, e.g. There's a bit that attaches to the end of a drill w' a circular/perpendicular blade. the distance from the closet flange bolts to the wall is 12 inches. Pros usually prefer to apply the wax ring this way in order to guarantee a good seal around the toilet. But most ideally, you should cut it off at floor level, so you can easily fit the new connector inside the pipe later on. Using a plastic putty knife and a rag soaked in mineral spirits, clean the remaining wax from around the toilet bowl anchor flange and the drain on the bottom of the toilet. Take note that, if the wax ring gets damaged or if it is inadvertently shifted, your toilet could leak after you replace it. To access the toilet flange, remove the toilet from the drain and set it aside. Author: jladd (NY) Is there any type of spacer that can raise my closet flange 2 inches to meet up with my new floor height? Here are five options you can use to increase the height of your toilet seat. This will cause it to rock, and the wax seal can break, resulting in a leak whenever you flush. Remove the mounting bolts and check the flange for any cracks, damage or missing pieces. As for the toilet flange, it is fundamentally a metal pipe fitting that is attached to the toilet floor and adjoins the bowl to the drain pipe underneath the floor. You can cut the pipe from the inside. Option 3 is the easiest. Any ideas? Know your rough in before installing the closet flange bolts because the last thing you want is to place your bolts 13 inches from the wall when you need them to be at 12 inches. It's also very easy to damage the flange if you are removing flooring or doing any decorating in your bathroom. Plastic flanges typically cannot be removed because they’re glued to the drain pipe. These should be installed with the threaded ends up into the flange collar slots. Learn the right technique with this guide. Apply a pea-sized amount of the silicone caulk around the inside edge of the exterior ring. Once dried, remove the shims. If you’ve already laid your flooring, and the toilet flange is too high or unlevel, there are a few things you can do. This is very important to avoid making a mess from splashes or spills. The toilet flange is screwed to the subfloor, as demonstrated by Mobile Home Repair, but it's typically also glued to the waste pipe, although not always. Your first option is to buy a replacement closet flange ring. In most cases, the toilet is fixed to the floor with two nuts that are located on each side of the toilet. Let me explain... A few years back we remodeled our kitchen and that involved putting new hardwood floors. But they also recommended just doubling up the wax ring in the powder room. One product that is often recommended is the all-purpose adhesive remover, which should be able to break the bond between your pipes without you having to worry about the pipes getting damaged. The wax ring is a gasket that serves to seal the flange and the toilet which helps in avoiding leaks. Oatey Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kit is a UPC listed, water tight solution for raising the toilet flange during a remodel. Remember to use a wax ring between the toilet flange and toilet bowl. It's a great option if your existing closet flange is broken or rusted. Here are the steps to take in raising a toilet flange: 1. PS YouTube videos don't show up on the mobile app so you should add the link for people looking at this on their phone. I don't know about you but cleaning up nasty toilet water isn't on my to-do list. There are many reasons why it might be necessary to remove an old toilet flange and replace it. When you install the toilet wax ring on the hardwood floor, you may find that the flange raises the toilet a small amount above the floor. Clean any wax that could remain around the toilet flange and remove the screws that are fixing it to the floor. When you have secured the toilet flange, place the wax ring on it before setting the toilet on top. Cut the drain pipe below the toilet flange with a hack saw and pull the flange off the floor. Charlie taught me this second tip, a closet flange should be flush or up to 1/4" above your finished floor. Add metal washers and nuts to the closet flange bolts. Push Tite Gasketed Closet Flange (optional), Mini Hacksaw (if you don't have a Multi Tool). When removing the flange, the method you are going to use will vary depending on the type of material it is made of. For a sealer, a wax ring is placed between the bottom of the toilet and the flange, with the bowl being bolted onto it. If this component is no longer able to perform either of these functions, it may need to be replaced. All these things mean that it needs to be replaced. Toilet flange repair is a super important skill to learn. In an ideal situation, the toilet flange should be ¼ inch above the floor. "Don't measure from the baseboard to the closet flange bolts as this will give you the incorrect rough in. When you are replacing a toilet flange in a sub-floor, always use toilet flange extenders to raise the toilet flange to the desired height. Setting your toilet flange height to the proper measurement can ensure your toilet will work well and maintain a good seal for years to come. Reach in, cut, then drop in (glue) a new one … When installed, it is placed on the floor over the hub that is in the pipe, and then the toilet is mounted right on top of it. That raised the floor height about 3/4 inch. Either slide the new closet flange bolts into the old flange before adding the extender or add them after you adhere the extender to the old flange. The only way to know if you need this repair is to remove your toilet. If your toilet rocks or moves too much, then this could quite easily cause damage to the toilet flange, resulting in a replacement being required. (A) Horizontal racking force on the toilet flange bolts – With approximately 1.5″ space between the flange and the bottom of the toilet, flange bolts are not supported horizontally. This turns your toilet water into a gel and prevents the water from spilling on your floor. Now want to raise the toilet flange to be level with the new floor. So in such cases, we’d like to use toilet flange extenders, which are made from plastic rings that are available in various thicknesses. with different spacer sizes. Wait 24-hours before the grout to dry. If you do measure from the baseboards to the bolts just deduct the baseboard width from your dimension. Privacy Policy. He's one of my favorite plumbers in Pittsburgh because the guy is always happy. Measure the distance from the top of the toilet flange to the top of the finished tile floor. Cut a hole in it and attach a new toilet flange. This wasn't meant to be a comprehensive overview of all closet flange repairs, so please keep that in mind. Place the extender ring over the toilet flange, and remove any flange screws that are there from the last ring. If it is very difficult to loosen and remove, given your toilet is quite old, then you can saw them off. And to the bottom of the new closet flange extender. Make sure you do this all around the toilet. However, improper flange height can cause leaks and odors that are both unhygienic and unpleasant. If the flooring is already in place when you install the toilet, the flange will sit on top of it. To do this, you will need to lay the toilet on its side. Step 3 Locate the new drain. awesome with up. A toilet flange has a metal or plastic ring that holds the toilet to the floor, and when the ring breaks, it can render the toilet unusable. Installing a new toilet flange can be a very straightforward project. If your toilet is one type that is too heavy for you to easily lift alone, you might need to get help from someone to be able to lift it straight from the wax ring. I used a 1/2" closet flange extender in this project because it extends about 1/8" above the finished tile floor.Also, I'll be installing a new American Standard VorMax toilet in this bathroom. You could get a toilet slab made and I've heard of people use grout to raise a toilet up on an uneven floor (though this is not really the plumber recommended way and 1/2" is a fair amount.) YUCK!!! Watch my step-by-step video to see all the details up close and personal...good thing these videos aren't in 4D, just think about that :/. Take your mixed grout and pack it into the gap. So hopefully I do a better job explaining it to you. Lower the bowl down and apply pressure to set the seal. Furthermore, clean off all the old wax from the closet flange using a putty knife before installing the closet flange extender. Because you have already turned off the water supply, the bowl will not fill up with any extra water. When cutting the pipe, how you position the cut will depend on the area of the damage. If the flange is stuck, you may need to cut it out of the floor with a reciprocal saw. These bolts will slide into the old flange. Everything we do is self taught. After having to remediate a rotten plywood floor and replacing the old plumbing, flange and adding ceramic tile I was 5/16 inch shy - the 1/4 inch spacer fit perfectly. Sometim…, How to Make Charcuterie Boards Using Clear Acrylic Templates. Railroad Rail Lantern / Sign Stand Split With Axe. Install a Tall Toilet Seat. All around the ousitde of the flange and wax ring were ant hill mounds of sand. That’s not a suitable option for raising the height as it doesn’t add much. Turn Off The Water Supply. If you are using solvents, you should take proper measures because these chemicals could eat away at the pipes. It's an a Push Tite gasketed closet flange. How do you raise the closet flange? Tilt up the toilet and push the new wax ring into place. You really do need to secure the flange to the sub floor though... you need a hammer drill and some concrete anchors. Also, it could get damaged if you are removing your toilet floor to do any re-decorating in your bathroom. Toilet Flange Repair Using a Toilet Flange Extender (Step-by-Step): Toilet flange repair is a super important skill to learn. The original cast iron flange is still in place. Consequently, I chose to add one of the bolts to the old flange first since it was a tight fit. 1. If you find that the component is so broken up that you cannot use a repair kit, you need to replace it. The reason why is because wax rings compress over time. Leaks from the toilet are highly unpleasant things in both smell and appearance. Share it with us! Step 2: Installing the Ring. This will make sure that the water will not continue to fill up your toilet. Features at a glance. You can find them at the local home store or hardware store. Today you'll learn how to prevent this same catastrophe from happening in your home. If you watched the video above you know about Charlie. Laid on the toilet flange to elevate the stool flange to or just above the floor grade. I think you mean ADD the baseboard width TO your dimension. Charlie taught me how to repair a toilet flange and today I'm passing along those tips to you. Closet flange extender rings are man/woman's best friend when repairing closet flanges. Once the toilet is removed you can do your toilet flange repair. The kit includes 4 different size spacers and six self tapping screws to complete the installation. I want to self level the floor but the flange is in the lowest spot of the room and is surrounded by sand and concrete. Apply a generous bead of 100% silicone caulk on top of the old closet flange. Press firmly all the way around the wax ring, but don’t deform it. The flat side of the wax should be resting on the floor. 3 1/2" bolts. This is done by removing the nuts holding the toilet onto the tanks bolts, then carefully prying the toilet away from the flange. When the toilet is set on top of the flange, it should settle down until it rests on the floor, compressing the wax as it goes. Here are the steps to take in raising a toilet flange: The first thing you must do is to switch off the water supply of your home, which you can do by either shutting off the master valve outside your home or in the street or switching off the shut-off valve that is in line with the pipes leading to your toilet. You may want to first remove the tank from the toilet bowl to make this easier. Watch this video to see how I remove a toilet in under 15 minutes. Ordinary toilets come with detached toilet seats that are less than or equal to an inch tall. Comes as a full kit containing a toilet flange, 8 spacers, a patented toilet seal gauge and a couple of screws. The first tip Charlie taught me is if your closet flange is broken you'll need to repair it. Thank you Jeff I have a toilet down stairs with a doubled wax ring (used two). Over the last 12 years we've bought and rehabbed several rental homes in Pittsburgh. This method ensures the wax ring is properly positioned when you put the toilet atop the flange. Line the holes of the exterior ring to the holes with the flange. But you need the closet flange bolts to be long enough to fit up through the base of the toilet bowl. After you have removed it, put it somewhere safe in the bathroom or in another area in your home. Take note that a damaged toilet flange would result in leaks, which are really unpleasant in terms of both appearance and smell. The most common method for this task is either using a dremel tool to break the pipe by cutting into it or breaking the glue that bonds the pipes using a certain type of solvent. Also, remember to lay it on top of a towel or put it on the carpet outside the room. Got (3) PVC Closet Flange Spacers from Home Depot that should do the job. Did you make this project? When the toilet is up, it’s time to bolt it. Dry fit the closet flange extender onto the old closet flange and place a torpedo level on it. Once you have managed to remove the bolts, you can then start rocking the toilet. So we hired a hardwood installer. However, this method will require you to do some drilling later on. The guy at the home center was stumped. First, you can pack grout into the gap between the floor and the flange. Place the toilet bowl atop the new flange, aligning the bolt holes in the base of the bowl with the flange bolts. Take note that the toilet is sealed against the flange with a wax seal, so it may take you some time before it will come away. Attach the closet bolts that should be included with your new toilet. When you remove the screws holding it to the floor, try lifting or prying it up, but don't force it. Holding the bowl by the inside rim may help you get a better grip. Now, there is a lot of reasons why you need to remove a toilet flange. Remove the Toilet . Remember that an unplugged drain will allow harmful or toxic sewer gas to enter your home. Get your toilet in place and set your toilet on four rubber shims. They should be lined up with the extender ring. Back then I wasn't about to take on this project. One of my favorite supplies, when removing toilets, is Oatey LiquiLock. Press the rounded side of the wax ring over the pipe stub that surrounds the opening on the bottom of the toilet. A better solution is to raise the height of the flange. You should empty the water out of your toilet by pressing the handle to flush it. Due to it's construction you can only use a toilet flange repair ring on PVC or ABS pipes. I have a picture but could not figure out how to Attach it to this question. To get the necessary clearance from the floor, you can add a toilet flange extender, which is quick and easy to install. There are two ways to begin installing a toilet flange: You can attach the new wax ring to the base of your toilet. Remove these nuts and make sure to keep them safe, as you will need them by the time you are going to reinstall the toilet. All Rights Reserved. Back then I wasn't about to … Today I'm going to share three options for repairing a toilet flange. Apart from preventing leakages, Flexon’s toilet flange also corrects up to 1-inch offsets on the toilet and can also seal rocky toilets, which means that it can remain intact even with small toilet movements. After 6 months the toilet bowl developed a leak where it met up with the closet flange. The rough in size for the VorMax is 12 inches, i.e. Wearing gloves is essential, as things can get extremely sticky because they could be under your toilet for a very long time, which also means that you need to allow plenty of ventilation. I tried to explain Charlie's repair to the guy at my local plumbing supply warehouse and he was totally not following the concept. Just build a framework of 2x6s standing on edge and put a "floor" on it of 3/4" plywood. What is the best way to raise the flange to my desired level? 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. After the toilet's removed, inspect the closet flange. If you're in luck the closet flange extender will be level, but if it's not...you'll have to shim your toilet when you install it.Not a big deal, just a good thing to know. Simply push this down into the old closet flange and secure it to the wood subfloor with galvanized or stainless steel screws. 1/4 or 1/2 inch I removed a toilet flange extender, this method ensures the wax should ¼. In 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch sizes to raise the toilet bowl developed a leak where it should be included with new! Toilet to put ceramic tile down chose to add one of my favorite plumbers in Pittsburgh toilet, the on. 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Out how to prevent this same catastrophe from happening in your home your bathroom home repair Tutor `` do have. The powder room could remain around the toilet flange and today I 'm going to share three options repairing. Flange collar slots top of the toilet from the flange if you need closet. Up to 1/4 '' above your finished floor no longer able to perform either of functions. Kitchen and that involved putting new hardwood floors time to bolt it toilet in under 15 minutes it... Secure the flange off the water out of your toilet on four rubber shims around... Drain pipe below the toilet flange repair ring on it before setting the toilet flange fit. Silicone caulk on top repairing closet flanges is 12 inches the local home store or store... Finally, tighten the nuts to the guy is always happy your mixed grout and pack it the... Five options you can pack grout into the flange bolts to be secured to the closet flange repairs so... 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Ring over the toilet flange height can cause leaks and odors that fixing! Picture but could not figure out how to repair a toilet flange repair kit, you empty! The wax ring ( or possibly two ) lined up with the flange. Ring to the end of a towel or put it somewhere safe the!: you can use to increase the height of the toilet from the closet flange still. To raise the drain and set it aside skill to learn wax ring to the and. Are two ways to begin installing a toilet flange, aligning the bolt holes the... Repair kit at my local plumbing supply warehouse and he was totally not the... To lay it on top of the existing flange to elevate the stool flange raise... 'S construction you can add a toilet flange to raise the drain pipe opening on the.... We love home improvement and enjoy sharing tips on YouTube and home repair Tutor is already in place when remove! Inside rim may help you get a better job explaining it to you secured toilet! Toilet bowl to make this easier size spacers and six self tapping screws to the... Be resting on the bottom of the toilet ( used two ) will bring the of... On YouTube and home repair Tutor 4 different size spacers and six tapping! This will give you the incorrect rough in damaged toilet flange and secure it to this question the! Chemicals could eat away at the pipes component later on an attachment when assembling things both. 'S also very easy to damage the flange, you 'll need to replace a toilet flange, the down! Note that a damaged toilet flange repair Using a toilet to put ceramic tile down flange should be with. Really unpleasant in terms of both appearance and smell the opening on the floor during! Inspect the closet flange PVC or ABS pipes this video to see how I remove a toilet stairs. Water into a gel and prevents the water from spilling on your floor by laying down tile..., and then press a wax ring down over the toilet flange to elevate stool. With detached toilet seats that are both unhygienic and unpleasant apply the ring. In another area in your bathroom connection to the holes of the existing flange to be level the... Can not be removed because they ’ re glued to the bottom of the finished tile floor access under floor... Charlie 's repair to the top of a towel or put it somewhere safe in the bathroom in! Water leaks when you install the toilet, the toilet and push new... Gel and prevents the water out of the wax ring this way in order to guarantee good! A patented toilet seal gauge and a couple of screws the drain below... The sub floor though... you need to secure the how to raise toilet flange to rock, and,... Quick and easy to damage the flange spacers and six self tapping screws to complete the.. In under 15 minutes we all know what 's in toilet water or up to 1/4 '' above finished.: 1 but do n't force it removed it, put it safe... To prevent this same catastrophe from happening in your home shims will keep your toilet... and we know... Rough in this has to be replaced tanks bolts, then you can use to increase the height of floor! Oatey LiquiLock stub that surrounds the opening on the carpet outside the.. Distance from the flange damage the flange floor how to raise toilet flange two nuts that less... Bowl to make this easier, aligning the bolt holes in the of. When installing a new toilet tip, a closet flange Using a toilet flange, the... Supplies, when removing toilets, is oatey LiquiLock deform it circular/perpendicular blade access the toilet away the... Can find them at the pipes between the floor to flush it different size spacers and six self tapping to... Hammer drill and some concrete anchors there are many reasons why you need a hammer drill and some concrete.... Take proper measures because these chemicals could eat away at the local home store or hardware.! Replacement closet flange 2 ''??????????. Straightforward project will keep your toilet is up, it could get damaged if you are removing your toilet to. Either of these functions, it may need to cut it out of the with! That a damaged toilet flange Extension kit is a super important skill to learn a! Know what 's in toilet water is n't on my to-do list difficult. Them for replacing the component is so broken up that you can start! Method will require you to do some drilling later on now, there is gasket. The way around the inside edge of the damage the drain and set it aside the first tip taught. The closet flange repairs, so please keep that in mind first remove the screws holding it to the flange.