How To Repair A Broken Toilet Flange

Then, your toilet is rocking, and you've tried tightening the toilet to floor bolts, just you lot however can't seem to get the toilet secured. Chances are your toilet flange (also called closet flange) is cleaved or deteriorating because information technology wasn't installed properly. Although rather common, a damaged toilet flange must be repaired every bit soon as possible to forbid leaks that could cause serious damage to your floor or tile.

A cleaved flange will cause the toilet to move because it is no longer secured to the flange, which is anchored to the subfloor. The constant rocking will likely intermission the wax seal (located between the toilet and the flange), allowing water to leak onto the substrate and the ceiling below when the toilet is flushed.

The expert news? With the proper tools, a little know-how and a trip to the local hardware shop, most people can finer repair their own toilet flanges without breaking a sweat (or the bank!)

Toilet Flange Overview

A toilet flange is a pipe fitting that connects a toilet to the domicile's drainage system. It likewise mounts a toilet securely to the finished floor. There is a variety of toilet flanges to choose from on the market today, such as PVC, ABS, bandage iron, copper and stainless steel, depending on your particular application needs.

Assessing the Problem

In addition to your toilet rocking, there are other warning signs that may indicate your flange is broken including:

• Visible leaks beneath the toilet
• Flooring surrounding the toilet feels soft
• H2o spots appearing on the ceiling located direct below the toilet

If whatever of these problems are present, information technology's time to visually inspect the toilet flange for damage. Refer to steps i-10 in the department below.

Prepping Toilet for Repair

1. Start, plow off the water supply to the toilet past turning the valve in a clockwise direction. The water supply valve should be located behind the toilet just to the left. If a valve is not present, you will need to observe some other valve located in the basement or clamber infinite area of the home.
2. Remove the lid of the toilet tank and flush the toilet. Hold the toilet handle down so as much water as possible drains from the tank and the bowl.
3. Employ a water absorber, like LiquiLock , to temporarily solidify the remaining water, turning it into a gel, which will assistance prevent drips and leaks when removing the toilet fixture. The gel volition dissolve when boosted water is added.
4. Disconnect the h2o supply line from the toilet fill valve and the 3/8" compression nut. This volition aid when resetting the toilet after the wax seal (besides called toilet wax ring) is replaced. You should always consider replacing the toilet supply when replacing the wax seal.
5. If your toilet is caulked to the finished flooring of the bathroom, score the caulking all the way effectually the toilet base with a razor knife.
6. Place protective covering on the bath flooring or bathtub, depending on where you volition be placing the toilet while repairing the flange.
7. Remove the caps that encompass the bolts and washers. This can be washed by inserting a flat caput screwdriver under the edge of cap and gentle prying upwards. Exist careful non to apply to much pressure on the porcelain because it may scrap or cleft.
8. Remove nuts and washers from the bolts at the toilet base using an adjustable wrench. If the commodities spins as yous plough the nut, you will have to grasp the bolt with a separate pair of pliers while removing the basics.
9. Grab the toilet nether the sides of the basin and rock it gently back and forth to break the old wax seal and elevator the toilet off the floor. Set it down on the protective covering.
10. Scrape the old wax seal off the base of the toilet and toilet flange using a putty pocketknife. Scrape the caulk off the toilet basin and finished floor.

Repairing Toilet Flange

What You'll Need:

• Eye protection
• Gloves
• Screw gun
• Caulk gun
• Rust-proof screws
• Flange repair band

First, inspect the toilet flange for whatsoever cracks or disuse. If the drain section of the flange is damaged, a licensed plumber will be needed to completely replace the old flange. Flange selection depends on the type and size of pipage it is being connected to, equally well as other application-specific variables.

Some flanges are specifically designed for bandage iron connections, and others can be solvent welded for PVC or ABS pipe connections. For new structure or remodels, in that location are flanges with knockout plugs that let you lot to test the system without having to use a exam brawl or plug, while besides keeping sewer gases from escaping.

If just the flange is broken, you can use a convenient flange repair ring, like Oatey's Fix-It Flange Repair Band, to securely reinstall the toilet. A production like this makes repairs easy because it can be installed above the cleaved toilet flange with four screws and silicone sealant. It doesn't require solvent cementing or special tools to install, which is ideal for the average homeowner. For professionals, ease of installation results in a faster service phone call, saving time and costs.

Follow these steps to properly repair your flange using a flange repair ring*:

1. Remove cleaved or corroded sections of the flange. If pieces are loose, they can be removed by hand. Then, apply a liberal amount of 100% silicone sealant to the peak of the existing flange.
2. Inset new Johni-Bolts into existing ring slots if however in identify . Exist sure the bolts are centered with the toilet flange opening and parallel with the wall behind toilet tank.
3. Printing the repair ring down into the desired location for correct bolt alignment and secure the repair ring to the subfloor using advisable screws and anchors.
4. Secure Johni-Bolts to repair ring using supplied fasteners.
5. Wipe off any excess silicone and allow time to cure.

*Please read manufacturer instructions and recommendations on products to ensure best practices for safety and effective use.

Reinstalling Toilet

1. Place new wax band seal on acme of repair ring. Make certain it is centered.
2. Reinstall toilet past using Johni-bolts (the bolts that connect the toilet to the floor) as a guide. Make sure you hold the toilet as level as possible when placing it onto the new wax seal. The toilet tank should be parallel to the wall behind it.
3. Do not rock the toilet as it is placed on the new wax seal. Utilize a slight side-to-side twisting motion until the toilet basin is resting on the bathroom flooring.
4. Install washers and nuts in their original guild and location.
5. Tighten nuts down while alternating from side to side until toilet bowl is seated firmly and evenly on the floor. Be careful non to overtighten the bolts, or you could crack the toilet bowl.
6. Connect toilet supply.

Source: https://www.oatey.com/faqs-blog-videos-case-studies/blog/how-repair-toilet-flange

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