Can a toilet be properly installed without a flange?
The flange and accompanying bolts hold the toilet firmly to the floor and keeps the seal between the toilet and the floor. Without the flange or if it is broken, he would have to attach the toilet to the subfloor with wood screws, and if the floor is rotting out, those won't last long. All this is further explained here.
What to do if the toilet flange is too high?
Use Grout
- Start by mixing the grout. Follow the instructions on the package or put a small amount in a container and add water in a 6 grout to 1 ...
- Remove your toilet and put it on four rubber shims. The shims must prevent your toilet from moving while you’re grouting around the flange.
- Now take the mixed grout and fill the gap with it. ...
Does the toilet flange need to bolted to the floor?
Yes, you have to screw or bolt the toilet flange to the floor. If you do not, you risk not securing the toilet enough to prevent rocking that may damage the wax seal, the drainage pipe, or the floor.
How to properly install a toilet flange?
- Follow the order of steps
- Make measurements carefully
- Be thorough
Is toilet flange supposed to be level with floor?
The toilet flange needs to be on top of the finished floor. Meaning the bottom edge of the flange needs to be on the same plane as the toilet. So if your toilet sits on the tile, the flange needs to be on top of the tile too.
How far should a toilet flange stick above the floor?
1/4 inchWith the toilet removed, you can see the toilet flange and measure its height above the floor. The optimum flange height to aim for is 1/4 inch above the finished floor. This typically allows for almost any type of wax ring to be used and still ensure a good seal.
What happens if the toilet flange is lower than the floor?
3:505:00Toilet Flange Too Low - Great Solution! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the wax ring will take care of that no problem concrete bolts gaskets in between double gasketsMoreBut the wax ring will take care of that no problem concrete bolts gaskets in between double gaskets down the flange.
Should a toilet flange be flush?
Toilet bowls are designed to be secured to the toilet flange with a wax ring. The wax ring seals and connects the flange to the lower level piping. Placing the flange below the tiles or flush with the floor can cause drainage complications.
Can a toilet flange be too high?
When your toilet flange is too high, your toilet may leak water and rock back and forth when used. Both the leaking and the rocking can warp or break the floor. A leaking flange can also rot the subfloor and lead to the accumulation of mildew and mold.
What happens if the toilet flange is not level?
0:171:52Level Up An Out of Level Toilet Flange - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is level with the floor. You take it and you flip it back over. So it sits level on theMoreThis is level with the floor. You take it and you flip it back over. So it sits level on the existing out of level flange. Now you install a standard wax ring in the middle.
How do you raise the toilet flange after tiling the floor?
A better solution is to raise the height of the flange.Measure the distance from the top of the toilet flange to the top of the finished tile floor.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.More items...
Should you caulk around a toilet?
Caulk Keeps the Toilet Secure Think again! Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. It's actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to?
Should I caulk around toilet flange?
Caulk prevents a fouling area. If mop water, bathtub water, or a less pleasant “bathroom liquid” gets underneath the toilet, there is no way to clean it up. Caulking around the base of the toilet will prevent this from happening.
How do I fill the gap between my toilet and floor?
Apply a thin, even bead of caulk around the base of the toilet to cover the gap along the floor and hide the shims. If necessary, smooth the caulk with your finger, wiping your finger clean frequently with a paper towel or a rag.
How close should tile be to toilet flange?
1/2″In most cases, as long as you've cut within 1/2″ around the flange, your toilet once installed will cover your cuts. However, if you feel you've made too big of a cut and your toilet won't cover, start over until you get it right.
Is it better to tile under or around a toilet?
The bathroom fitters are unanimous—if you're looking for a high quality finish, with a better seal against water damage, then always tile the floor first.
Should Toilet Flange Be Flush With Floor?
The toilet flange should not be flush with the floor, but it must be level to allow for a correct installation. A difference in height between one side of the flange and the other could compromise your toilet’s balance. For this reason, you should make sure the floor around the toilet is level or use a filler to ensure a level fit of the flange.
How To Install A Toilet Flange On A Tile Floor
We already mentioned that you should always install the toilet flange after the tile. In the rare cases when a contractor installed it before tiling, you can adjust its height with flange spacers. With this in mind, here’s how to install the toilet flange yourself.
Final Thoughts
A toilet flange should raise ¼ inches above the finished floor. Installing it on the subfloor or flush with the floor can lead to leaks and balance problems. We hope this guide can help you during your bathroom construction or renovation.
Why should a toilet flange sit on top of the floor?
When you install your toilet flange, it should be installed on top of the finished floor, and it should also be installed perfectly level. If your flange sits even or below the floor, then it’s wrong. It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor. This is very important. The reason being is because the toilet recesses into ...
Can you use a wax ring on a toilet?
As a result, the toilet may wobble or leak at the base. It’s also important to note that you never want to use a wax ring with a horn. These rings will prevent the toilet from properly recessing into the flange. Instead, use a standard ¾ inch wax ring.
What is the flange on a toilet?
The toilet flange sits directly below the toilet itself and connects the toilet drain to the main drain line. Toilet flanges are usually made out of PVC, rubber, brass, stainless steel, or some other kind of metal, and they have a rubber gasket or wax seal to seal the bottom of the toilet and the flange. Toilet flanges are necessary ...
What happens if you don't have a toilet flange?
Without a proper toilet flange, you can encounter leaks and other issues that can ruin your bathroom. Today, we will give a quick guide on toilet flanges, how they work, and how to find the best one for your home bathroom.
What is the toughest toilet flange?
Stainless steel is probably the toughest type of toilet flange and is the most resistant to corrosion and rust. However, steel toilet flanges also tend to be the most expensive and are the most difficult to install properly and securely. Aluminum. Aluminum is a popular material for toilet flanges that is lightweight and resistant to corrosion.
What is the most common type of plastic flange?
Plastic. PVC plastic is probably the most common type of plastic flange and is very cheap. However, plastic is not as durable as metal, and typically, people forgo plastic flanges and opt for metal ones. Plastic is, however, extremely resistant to corrosion and damage from chemicals.
What is the best material for toilet flanges?
Copper. Copper is another popular material for toilet flanges. Copper is highly resistant, durable, and does not corrode or rust as easily as steel or aluminum. Copper is slightly malleable, though, and copper flanges can warp if installed improperly with pressure on them. Brass.
Why is my toilet flange set too low?
If it is set too low, then that can cause stress in the pipes, which can cause cracks and breaks. So it is imperative that you set your toilet flange at the proper height, or else you can cause a lot of damages that could take thousands of dollars to fix.
Why is it important to add a quarter inch of height to a pipe?
The extra quarter-inch of height is necessary to give space for the wax or rubber ring that seals the pipe. If the flange is set too high, then it can cause leaks because the seal will not connect entirely. If it is set too low, then that can cause stress in the pipes, which can cause cracks and breaks.
Should Toilet Flange Be Flush with floor?
- The toilet flange should not be flush with the floor, but it must be level to allow for a correct installation. A difference in heightbetween one side of the flange and the other could compromise your toilet’s balance. For this reason, you should make sure the floor around the toilet is levelor use a filler to ensure a level fit of the flange.
How to Install A Toilet Flange on A Tile Floor
- We already mentioned that you should always install the toilet flange after the tile. In the rare cases when a contractor installed it before tiling, you can adjust its height with flange spacers. With this in mind, here’s how to install the toilet flange yourself.
FAQ
- Can A Toilet Flange Sit Below The Tile?
In a typical toilet installation, the flange should sit on top of the finished floorand not below the tile. However, when renovating a bathroom, you may want to add new flooring without removing the old floors first. If the new floor goes above the edge of the flange – or if your flange was acci… - Toilet Flange Sits 1/2 Inches Above Floor – What To Do?
Another issue you may be faced with when installing a new toilet is a toilet flange that sits too high above the floor. As a general rule, a flange that sits ½ inches above the floor can create similar problems to a flange installed under the floor level: your toilet may leak and rock back an…
Final Thoughts
- A toilet flange should raise ¼ inches above the finished floor. Installing it on the subfloor or flush with the floor can lead to leaks and balance problems. We hope this guide can help you during your bathroom construction or renovation.