How To Repair A Toilet Flange

How to Supplant a Toilet Flange

H2o at the base of the commode is a real red flag. Ready the plumbing problem with the guidance and techniques here.

Photo: istockphoto.com

The bathroom may well be the wet spot in any dwelling house, but water pooling around the base of the commode doesn't fall in the norm. This dampness means information technology might be time to replace the flange, the circular pipage fitting that connects the toilet to the sewage pipe. Without a secure, solid basis on your commode, persistent leaking can harm flooring, crusade mold to develop, or even emit wastewater, potentially causing hygiene and health issues for anyone in the household. Luckily, swapping in a new toilet flange is a fairly common plumbing repair that many handy homeowners tin can manage, saving anywhere from $100 to $200 on hiring a pro.

The keys to success are precise measurements (and so that you lot purchase the correct-sized replacement flange) and extra attending to ensure that the toilet sits flush on the floor at the stop of the project. And remember to plan your DIY day accordingly: Yous'll need to remove the toilet, measure out the flange, and then make a run to the plumbing supply or hardware store in a short bridge so that you lot aren't living with a nonworking toilet for long. Follow the instructions laid out in this guide on how to supersede a toilet flange, and you'll soon return to dry floors.

Tools & Materials

• Adjustable wrench
• Putty knife
• Multi-head screwdriver
• Disinfecting wipes
• Cleaning rags
• Measuring tape
• See full list «
• Flange

Step i

Turn off the water primary for the toilet by locating the knob on the wall behind it and turning clockwise. This volition prevent h2o from refilling the tank later on each flush, but won't stop h2o from leaving the system. Once the water is turned off, flush the toilet, then wait for the bowl to refill, and flush again, repeating until all the h2o from both the bowl and reservoir has drained from the toilet.

Step 2

While the toilet's draining, spread newspaper over the bathroom flooring. Brand sure in that location are several sheets of paper in layers, because this is where yous'll place the toilet in one case you've removed information technology from the mount.

Pace 3

Disconnect the water supply from the toilet. This is a braided pipe or metal hose that runs out from the wall to the toilet, adjacent to the valve. You should be able to twist it off by mitt, but if it'south too tight, utilise an adaptable wrench. There's no need to remove it from the wall unless you're planning to replace information technology, too, or information technology's so long that it might get in the manner when your hands are full, trying to replace the toilet at the end of this project.

Pace iv

Unfasten the 2 nuts on bolts that hold the toilet to the flange and floor. Utilize the adjustable wrench if the basics don't loosen easily past hand. Set the nuts aside to reattach the toilet when the flange replacement is complete.

Some jobs are better left to the pros

Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed plumbers almost you.

+

Photo: istockphoto.com

Footstep 5

Prepare to remove the toilet, keeping in mind that the average commode weighs between 70 and 120 pounds. If you're non confident in your power to lift it on your own, enlist a helper. To avoid injury doing information technology yourself, straddle the unit of measurement, crouch downwards, and grab from under the bowl. Then engage your core and lift the unit of measurement directly up—using your leg muscles, not your back—so it that information technology lifts cleanly off the bolts. Set it carefully atop of the newspapers.

Step half-dozen

Now you'll encounter the outflow or sewage pipe with the flange. Remove the erstwhile wax that sealed the toilet to the flange and pipe with a putty knife. Just scrape it off and smear it on the paper until you can access the top of the flange.

Step 7

Find the screws (up to 4) on the outside of the flange, which will need to come up out. Use your multi-caput screwdriver fitted with the corresponding screw fleck to remove the screws.

Step 8

Lift the flange off and clean it under a faucet or with disinfecting wipes. Set up it aside on the newspaper. Tuck the dispensable rag into the mouth of the sewage outflow pipe to block unpleasant odors and gasses from emitting.

Step 9

Measure the width the outflow pipe's mouth. Double-check your measurements and brand notation of them. Put the onetime flange into a plastic bag and head to your local hardware store, plumbing supply, or abode eye and buy a flange of corresponding size, blazon, and shape. Having the old flange with you lot allows for a head-to-head comparison. Purchase a correct-size wax seal for the new flange too. The new flange should come with new bolts and screws; if not, buy those equally well, checking for fit.

Step ten

Once dorsum in the bathroom, remove the rag from the outflow pipage and identify it in a plastic bag for disposal. Fit the new flange into identify over the outflow pipe. Double-check that the new flange is flush against the flooring and fitting correctly with no gaps below. Now screw the flange into identify on the mount, using the new bolts and screws. When washed, you lot'll have two bolts protruding upward from the flange and floor, where the toilet will be remounted.

Step eleven

Plough the toilet sideways on the flooring and locate the round mouth where the toilet sits atop the flange. Affix the new wax seal around the mouth by pressing firmly into place without over-handling or misshaping information technology.

Step 12

Carefully lift the toilet (employ your legs, non your back!). Watch for the bolts to meet upwards with the bolt holes on the toilet base. Lower the toilet slowly, equally levelly equally possible, so it slides over the bolts and returns to its rightful spot. Eyeball the base to see if it looks level on all sides. If not, wiggle it until it'due south situated equally all around. Now put your weight into it and press the toilet downward as firmly to engage the wax seal with the flange.

Step xiii

Replace the nuts back onto the bolts. Use your hand at get-go, and so tighten with the adjustable wrench to ensure the toilet won't rock or jerk in months to come.

Photograph: istockphoto.com

Step xiv

Reattach the water supply hose to the inflow valve on the toilet. Make sure you've got it affixed tightly then there'll be no dribbles or leaks afterwards.

Step 15

Turn the water valve back on and wait for the toilet reservoir tank to make full. Once full, flush it. Wait for the bowl to fill, then flush once more. Do this two to 3 times to ensure proper part. If the toilet is flushing correctly, run your hand along the floor around the toilet base. Is the floor dry? Neat! Clean upward and congratulate yourself on doing the job similar a pro!

Some jobs are better left to the pros

Get costless, no-delivery estimates from licensed plumbers near you.

+

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-toilet-flange/

Share this post