Every living thing must have a properly working toilet. However, its parts will wear down over time and may require some fixing. One important component is a toilet flange, which is responsible for anchoring the toilet onto the floor and is the opening through which it connects to the drain pipe. If your toilet rocks, leaks at the base, or you note undesirable smells, your flange could be the problem. Read a step-by-step guide to a toilet flange repair with five detailed steps.
Before delving further into the repair process, one must understand what a toilet flange is and what it does. A toilet flange, also called a closet flange, is a fitting attached to the waste lines on the floor, which holds and secures a toilet.
It typically consists of a metal or PVC ring secured on the floor and a sleeve that slips over the drain pipe. Over time, the flange decays, breaks, or gets loose, which causes water to sip and wobble.
The toilet flange stands as the one part of toilet plumbing that gives a secure, watertight connection for the toilet to the drainpipe. Nevertheless, this very important component can wear out or become damaged after some time. This can give rise to several problems growing out to present recognition. Recognizing symptoms that may indicate a faulty toilet flange is important to maintain your bathroom's functionality and sanitary conditions. Here are a few of the symptoms that the toilet flange could require fixing or, worse, restoration:
Recognizing these cues allows you to instantly diagnose an improper toilet flange and make the necessary repairs to help mitigate further damage and make toilets functional.
Get all the tools and materials needed to start the repair in your hands
Removing the toilet is the most crucial step in replacing and repairing a toilet flange. Thus, it requires turning off the water supply, draining the toilet, and disjoining it from the floor to give you clear access to the flange. These detailed steps will guide you in safely and effectively removing your toilet.
Once the toilet is out of the way, the old flange can be carefully inspected and removed. Start by examining the flange for indications such as a crack, corrosion, or wiggles. If the flange is coronary or damaged, replacement is necessary. Gently remove any remaining wax or adhesive to make the area clean for the new flange.
The new flange will ensure the joint between the toilet and the drain pipe is strong and leak-free. Ensure you have the correct flange to match the drain pipe size and material.
Install the Closet Bolts. Mount the new closet bolts in the flange slots with the heads resting in the wide part of each slot. Push the bolts into position, ensuring they're parallel to the back wall.
Reattaching your toilet has several critical steps to ensure it is installed securely and correctly. Install a new wax ring or a wax-free gasket on the newly installed collar.
Slide a new wax ring or a wax-free seal down over the flange. We need to confirm that it is properly placed and centered. A wax-free ring would be much cleaner and easier to work with here. A wax ring, for its part, gives a traditional and sure seal-without the mess that sometimes comes with installation.
Carefully lift the toilet into place. Make an alignment between the holes at the back of the base and the closet bolts. Lower the toilet onto the flange by pushing it down to sit flat against the wax ring or seal. Press the bowl to the floor to compress the wax ring and make the joint watertight.
Install washers and nuts onto the closet bolts, and hand-tighten the nuts. Afterward, tighten the nuts with a wrench-keep the resistance even, on each side, by tightening the nuts little by little until threads protruding above the nuts disappear. Do not overtighten; this might cause toilet base crack.
Reconnect the water supply right at the base of the toilet tank. Turn on the shut-off and let that tank refill. Check around the base for potential drips and around the water supply pipe.
Flush the toilet a few times to check that it's working properly and doesn't overfill or leak. If too loose, level it with plastic shims and crush out the top part of the shims near the ears so they can be hidden under the toilet cap/nut.
Some tips and considerations will be provided to ensure successful toilet flange repair. With these practical insights, you can tackle common challenges to get a proper installation and keep your toilet functioning well over time.
Replacing a toilet flange may seem quite terrifying, but it can be a manageable do-it-yourself project with the right tools to guide the way. In the space found in these five comprehensive steps, you can be sure of a leak-proof and firmly attached toilet, able to leave your bathroom with that all-needed support and functionality. Maintenance and repairs in time can save a lot of money in the long run, and your bathroom will always be in top condition. Knowing that a three-footer has to do its job well and how common undesired setbacks it is to appear, you will be ready to maintain the bathroom in a safe and cozy space.