Toilet Flange Below Floor

If your flange sits even or below the floor then it s wrong.

Toilet flange below floor.

It is best that the flange is level with the floor. Toilet flange before you purchase the new part identify the specific type you have. Out with the old. In a typical toilet installation the floor flange that sits inside the drain opening below the toilet should be positioned so that its bottom surface rests flush against the finished floor or no more than 1 4 inch above or below the floor this ensures that the flange makes a watertight seal against the wax ring that fits between the drain opening and drain outlet horn on the underside of.

The reason being is because the toilet recesses into the flange when fully installed but when the flange sits even or below the floor the toilet can t properly recess into the flange. When the toilet was removed the toilet wax ring was still in its original shape. Most extenders come with long bolts which may be necessary if the flange is below the floor level. I believe products in this category are designed to replace the use of wax rings only although fernco advertises that it can handle toilet flanges that are up to 3 4 lower than the floor surface.

Below the toilet you ll see the flange which should also be secured with bolts or similar hardware. Bring it to a local home depot store for help determining if you need a pvc copper iron or aluminum replacement toilet flange. If the height of your flange needs to be adjusted remove the bolts and flange so that repairs can be made and the flange height adjusted. Toilet flange extenders are constructed with either soft or hard pvc providing solid pathway from the bowl horn to the toilet flange on the floor.

Press a new wax ring tight to the flange. Set the toilet on top of the flange making sure the two closet bolts pass through the holes in the toilet s base. If the flange is sitting only about inch of the floor it is possible to use a wax ring sealed in place to fix this small gap. The higher a flange sits above the floor the greater the likelihood of poor fitting and problems with the toilet leaking.

It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor. Here s a video on how to install a toilet flange on tile floor. To get the necessary clearance from the floor you can add a toilet flange extender which is quick and easy to install. Toilet flange bolts have new bolts on hand in case your existing parts are stripped or rusty.

A sign that the wax ring was not sealing the toilet from sewer gases or preventing water escaping from under the base of the toilet. Wax ring this secures the flange to the base of the toilet. 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. Use a ratchet wrench to tighten the four stainless steel screws that secure the flange to the floor.