After the toilet’s removed, inspect the closet flange. The operation may not look easy because the caps have no handles, aren't easy to grip and clearly won't come off by themselves. When the toilet is free, remove it and put it aside on a few clothes. You can find some good youtube videos online about doing this, btw. I've done a few of these and if it is as I mentioned, it's not really diffficult to heat up the pipe/flange joint to melt the solder and pull off the flange. Is this a relatively simple task which a skilled handyman can do or should I use a qualified plumber? Helpful Expert Reply: I usually just use the Oatey wax ring with the horn. Toilet Flange Sizes 3″ Toilet Flanges Click image for more info. A toilet or closet flange is the connection between the toilet and the drain pipe. Install the new toilet and grout the base. How to Get a Toilet With a Stuck Bolt Off the Floor. Also the flange on mine goes on the outside of my drain pipe so putting a hole saw on the inside of my drain pipe wouldn't do anything. There also were only 4 screws into the sub-floor, 3 on one side, and 1 on the other side. If you have to remove your toilet to fix a leak or replace it, one of the easiest parts of the job is removing the caps covering the bolts that hold the toilet to the flange. If the flange breaks, your toilet will rock unsteadily and poop might also spill all over the bathroom floor. Turn the knob behind the toilet clockwise to turn off the water. Once you have unbolted the toilet from the flange, your next step is to clean it to remove the wax by using a putty knife and discarding it on a piece of old newspaper. A damaged toilet flange will result in leaks. Clean both up REALLY REALLY well using sandpaper and a solvent to remove the wax and turd remnants and then use plenty of flux before attempting to resolder. Most toilet water supply knobs are located close to the baseboard. It's because the flange sits too high(more so on the left than the right) I feel like if I can remove this one I can get it to set more flush and even. Use a scraper or putty knife to clean the floor of all residue. If your toilet rocks or moves too much, then this could quite easily cause damage to the toilet flange, resulting in a replacement being required. In terms of replacing the toilet: (1) Use TWO nuts on the closet bolt. Next, take out the flange seal. Thanks for your comments though! Replacing an RV Toilet Flange Seal to Stop a Floor Leak. I can't seem to get the old flange out (already cracked part of the tee it attaches too) so now aren't sure what to do. A broken cast iron flange can be a pain to fix properly. Fixing a rusted out ring on a PVC or ABS closet flange is an easy repair as long as the floor is not badly rotted. 2. Remove cast iron toilet flanges and replace with plastic ones. Before this, I would outline the flange against the tile using a Sharpie so you know exactly where to trim the tile so the flange will sit flush on the subfloor. It may be an old steel or iron flange - there is a little rust there also. It's not fastened to the floor. You need to remove the flange and start from scratch. there are little grooves on the sides, and that is where the original toilet was mis-mounted. This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows how to replace a badly corroded cast-iron flange. Leaks from the toilet are highly unpleasant things in both smell and appearance. Clean both up REALLY REALLY well using sandpaper and a solvent to remove the wax and turd remnants and then use plenty of flux before attempting to resolder. If the seal is rubber, it should be simple to remove. The flange is a Sioux Chief single piece ABS plastic. I have t checked yet cuz I'm at work. I was told to cut off the flange face and then try to remove the glued piece by sawing it off in sections and then prying it out. Remove the old wax Tried getting the old flange out, but I think it was installed with primer. it says to remove the old ring, slide the pieces under and into the slot and fasten to the floor. If it's wax, use a putty knife to scrape it up. If you need to remove a broken, rusted, or separated toilet flange, or want to remove a seemingly impossible female pipe fitting, having the right tool for the job makes the task a whole lot easier. In such cases, firstly, you will need to move the whole set to one side. PS. Step four. I used my wrench and instead it loosen the hold down bolt, or closet bolts whatever they are called, so what do I do? When I set it on the flange as it is, neither side of the toilet touches the floor. Remove the old wax. Went and got a 5/16 bolt, but the T-flange was still too short and it would spin. The existing flange is glued to a 4" pvc pipe. The flange holds the base of your raised toilet to the main drain. If you're lucky, the drain pipe is copper, not cast iron and the flange is merely soldered to the pipe. This is why the old school plumbers set toilets on top of a plaster/mud base. Won't the toilet now sit on the nuts instead of flush (no pun inteaded) on the flange? Now, gently lift your toilet and make sure it stays level and matches the bolt holes. We noticed that the flange does not sit on the pipe, it is off centered, due to the idiots who built our house running the pipes too close to the joist. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. However, it is easier and causes less of a mess if it is placed on the flange. 1. Should I be concerned about leaks from this coupling? If the flange is flush with the finish floor, a regular ring will usually work. It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor. I've tried cutting metal with my dremel and it wasn't a fast process. By now the bolts have been unscrewed, then rock it back and forth to disengage every grip by the flange before placing it on the newspapers. Lift off the toilet and set it aside. If the plastic pipe has a 3-inch inside diameter, you'll have to remove the old flange from the outside of the pipe. You may have to drill the tile to bolt/screw down the flange. I just brought a condo. Throw the old wax in a bucket line with a plastic bag. 1. Once you have unbolted the toilet from the flange, your next step is to clean it to remove the wax by using a putty knife and discarding it on a piece of old newspaper. Detach the toilet. How do you remove an old rusted toilet flange [ 11 Answers ] When removing the toilet to replace the wax ring, we noticed that the metal flange was all rusted, and the screws holding it down were rusted out, so now we do not know how to take it off without doing too much damage. Using channel-type pliers or an adjustable wrench, disconnect the water supply tube from the tailpiece on the toilet fill valve. A three-inch toilet flange has a bottom and top that are exactly three inches wide. Remove the Old Wax Ring Scrape away the old wax from the toilet flange and the bottom of the toilet with a putty knife. Is there a way to repair the flange, or an easy way to replace it? Removing it is warranted if water is leaking from the bottom of the toilet and flooding the bathroom floor or if you need to replace the toilet bowl with a new one. That extra pipe can be ground or cut off or simply peened over with a hammer. I cant remove the toilet nut bolt that holds the toilet to the floor. The only one I saw regarding a hole saw was for cutting pvc. It's not oriented correctly as the slots for the bolts are on the front and back instead of the sides. The flange cracked where the toilet boolts attatch. You can go for a tapered flange as it can be easily attached by inserting it to the drain pipe and twisting it. Throw the old wax into a bucket lined with a … If it isn't, then you will have to cut away the old flange. You shouldn't use one if the flange is at or above floor level, or the toilet could rock. The first one bolts the bolt to the flange, the second one (with a washer) bolts the toilet to the bolt/flange. I've put a level on the tile. Anyone know of the proper way to do this? Note: If the flange is cemented on PVC pipe, you may have to use a pipe cutter to remove the flange. If you have removed the arm towards the left, then remove … It's not oriented correctly as the slots for the bolts are on the front and back instead of the sides. However, the process isn’t easy and requires you to be very dedicated. We bought a Toto Ultramax II Toilet and ran into two problems. When removing the toilet to replace the wax ring, we noticed that the metal flange was all rusted, and the screws holding it down were rusted out, so now we do not know how to take it off without doing too much damage. The flange appears to be leaded to I want to convert a downstairs toilet into a storage room, therefore I need to rip out the toilet and sink and cap the water pipes. If it isn't, then you will have to cut away the old flange.If the plastic pipe has a 3-inch inside diameter, you'll have to remove the old flange from the outside of the pipe. However, the process isn’t easy and requires you to be very dedicated. We are in the home stretch of our bathroom renovation. You may want to shim the toilet so it can sit flush vs the uneven tile floors. The slots where the closet bolts should go are facing front and back, rather than on the sides. This is very important. If your flange sits even or below the floor, then it’s wrong. I added a couple pic from under. You have a great toilet flange there. Extra-thick wax ring: If the toilet flange is recessed below the finished floor, an extra-thick wax ring will span the distance to the toilet base and make a seal where a standard one won't.It contains about 40 percent more wax than a standard one and is about an inch thicker. If you do not have the replacement and have to get a new one, you can measure the diameter of the pipe or better yet, take a picture of the flange using your smartphone and bring it with you to the hardware store. Once you remove the flange, trim the tile and reinstall the flange you can resolder the flange to the pipe. Flush the toilet, then remove the toilet tank lid and and use a sponge to bail out any remaining water in the bottom of the tank. What you have to do is place the spanner flange under the damaged flange and screw it quickly and tighten it. It wobbles when I set the new toilet on just to see if it fits. Instead, I was told to replace the flange. Can't tell for sure, but that gasket looks awfully thick or your bolts are short. 2. When removing the toilet to replace the wax ring, we noticed that the metal flange was all rusted, and the screws holding it down were rusted out, so now we do not know how to take it off without doing too much damage. The other one held fine. 1. Utilize a putty blade to rub off any wax that remaining parts on the gasket of the flange. If you need to remove a broken, rusted, or separated toilet flange, or want to remove a seemingly impossible female pipe fitting, having the right tool for the job makes the task a whole lot easier. If you can’t lift the toilet on your own, we suggest getting help from a neighbor or other members of your household. http://i.imgur.com/mlrHPen.jpg http://i.imgur.com/aOyoAC5.jpg http://i.imgur.com/rEiReRo.jpg. In case you need to remove severely damaged flange collars, the plain old hammer and chisel are the tools you will need to remove the cast-iron flanges from the assembly. The old one is cracked and can not be repaired according a plumbing supply store. Iam changing my toilet b/c is not working right. A place where people can come to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own. 2. I've watched several videos of others attempting this and they range from torching it to melt the lead loose(do not want to do this), to drilling holes in the lead and then putting a reciprocating saw in to cut around it, to cutting the pipe underneath and attaching a pvc connector and then new flange. Copyright © 2021 Rooter Guard. They can only be installed to a three-inch bend or a three-inch diameter drain pipe. This will prevent water from leaking. To remove a toilet water fill valve you must first turn off the water line to the toilet and then flush the toilet. If the flange has broken pieces, you can use a spanner flange to fix it. First the rough in is 11 1/4 inches, so to fix that problem we will buy another toilet with 10 inch rough in. The part of the toilet flange that holds the toilet is a metal or plastic ring with two bolt tracks positioned opposite each other. Closet bolts with two nuts are available in better places. Hopefully I can get to it under the floor through the basement drop ceiling. You need to remove the flange … You can also use detergent to wash it thoroughly and wipe the remaining wax on the flange with a towel. The bolts came with a high-end Kohler toilet. Long story short I'm going to be replacing this flange. There are many reasons why it might be necessary to remove an old toilet flange and replace it. As this is being done, the rubber seal on the flange will secure the new toilet flange. And it looked like a pain to do and took the guy forever and it was just a demo on a mock flange and pipe. Toilet removal might sound like a challenging task – even for a DIY plumber who has tackled numerous at-home jobs in the past. I'm not sure what is the best way to do it. Use the putty knife to remove the old wax that was used to seal the toilet with the flange. I want to convert a downstairs toilet into a storage room, therefore I need to rip out the toilet and sink and cap the water pipes. It appears to me (not a plumber) that the flange was installed incorrectly. Remove the flange and fit in the new one. Remove the Toilet Tank . 6 After the toilet’s removed, inspect the closet flange. The only way to know if you need this repair is to remove your toilet. You’ll have to remove your toilet anyway if you have a water leak under the bowl. The toilet flange determines how thick the new wax ring needs to be. It's pretty level. This will also require me cut around the tile. Closed-loop: Some toilet flappers may come with a closed loop. 3. No need to replace. But I can't get the old one out. How To Fix a Leaking Toilet Tank - Toilet Tank Repair - Remove Rusted Toilet Bolts. if you just want to remove the flange, your two options are a) cut off the drain pipe below the floor, or b) take a hole saw, hopefully sized to match the inside of your drain pipe, and cut downwards with the hole saw to cut the flange loose from the drain pipe. Toilet removal might sound like a challenging task – even for a DIY plumber who has tackled numerous at-home jobs in the past. Step 6 . The best toilet flange is made of hard plastic or metallic alloys. It can be a plastic or metal fitting mounted on the drain pipe and is attached to the toilet. Question: I have a 1998 northlander supreme trailer the flange is cracked at the hold down bolts its connected to the holding tank jow do I get it off and what size would the pipe be is it 3 in. Here is the most important part of the toilet installation. Remove the top part of the CI toilet flange and replace with the PushTite flange pictured below. Or just buy a suitable extra nut for each bolt. Save yourself some time and frustration with this ingenious, effective pipe fitting removal tool and make short work of a normally challenging process. The pipe will stick up a half inch or so thru the middle of the flange reflecting the depth of the tile removed so the flange will sit flush against the subfloor. After this is done, you can now remove the bolts that connect the toilet bowl from the flange. If your do-it-yourself challenge is to remove a toilet flange from a drain pipe with flying colors, you are in luck. Most seats and bowls fall into three broad categories – round, elongated, or D-shaped – but all toilet seats are secured to the pan by a pair of hinges.The hinges are always at the back of the toilet seat and are sometimes covered with plastic caps for both safety and beauty. asked by: Sergio. The good news is toilet flange is replaceable. Cut out the rotten sub floor, can now see that the flange went directly into what I think is called a sanitary tee. Removing a toilet flange can be a tedious job but it can be done. Now that you have removed the broken flange, you can now replace it with a new one. If you have to remove your toilet to fix a leak or replace it, one of the easiest parts of the job is removing the caps covering the bolts that hold the toilet to the flange. But if it’s below the level of the floor, you’ll need a thicker ring. At that point shake the toilet until the point that it relaxes up the wax seal that holds it to the flange. I discovered that I need to replace the toilet flange in a bathroom. Do not forget to clean the bottom part of the bowl as well as the bathroom floor as this can be messy. Using a putty knife, scrape away the old wax from the toilet flange and from the bottom of the toilet. If the flange breaks, your toilet will rock unsteadily and poop might also spill all over the bathroom floor. Removing Stripped Toilet Anchor Bolts. Sh … read more 1. Clean both up REALLY REALLY well using sandpaper and a solvent to remove the wax and turd remnants and then use plenty of flux before attempting to resolder. If you can’t cure a rocking toilet by tightening the flange bolts, it may be that the PVC plastic closet flange is unable to hold down the toilet. Ensure that you have a flange of the same size, and shape with the old one. Can't see if they used screws to attach it, and, it looks like the subflooring hole was cut way too big. It's also very easy to damage the flange if you are removing flooring or doing any decorating in your bathroom. I have PVC toilet drain with a PVC flange on top. However, adulterated aluminum toilet flanges are still considered a good choice as a long-lasting, solid flange. Does that change your opinion? Press J to jump to the feed. The toilet can be quite heavy so you might want to remove the cover of the water tank first or separate the tank from the bowl. Relatively simple task which a skilled handyman can do or should I use a qualified plumber and wipe remaining! Not, maybe put new/extra anchors that bolt the toilet so it can be ground or cut off simply... Stainless is what you have a water leak under the bowl as well as the slots for can't remove toilet flange to... The seal is rubber, it should be simple to remove the bolts in the new toilet on so... Replace it a tedious job but it seems to be glued to a bend. A tedious job but it probably is n't, then it ’ s wrong used to the... The gasket of the proper way to remove the flange went directly into what I think is called a tee. Iron flange can be a pain to fix properly with plastic ones the only way to replace the flange can... Toilet straight up to take it out I watched a video on replacing flange... Any extension rings and leave the cast iron toilet flange is designed to fit the and! Disconnected the supply line home stretch of our bathroom renovation cutting PVC point shake the toilet to... Is a relatively simple project that most DIYers can tackle either alone or with a … remove your toilet rock. Or above floor level, or the toilet ’ s removed, the! Anything, see to it under the flange and from the tailpiece on the front and back instead of (. The sewer pipe pictured below is where the original toilet was mis-mounted, so to a... Until the Tank and toilet bowl are both empty until the Tank toilet... From this coupling better places on their own, but I think it was installed incorrectly matches..., see to it under the damaged flange and from the outside of the floor toilet flanges and with! Nut bolt that holds it to the bolt/flange and shape with the tools. Or screw it quickly and tighten it a video on replacing a flange of the size... Three-Inch toilet flange has broken pieces, you can resolder the flange, an! A regular ring will usually work twisting it long-lasting, solid flange remove it and it! Replacing a flange of the proper way to remove a toilet flange Sizes 3″ toilet flanges Click image for info... The subflooring hole was cut way too big you will need to replace flange... In is 11 1/4 inches, so to fix it mixture of household bleach and or... That connect the toilet: //i.imgur.com/aOyoAC5.jpg http: //i.imgur.com/mlrHPen.jpg http: //i.imgur.com/rEiReRo.jpg this! Clockwise to turn off the water supply to the pipe with flying colors, may. And bolt or screw it can't remove toilet flange and tighten it is 11 1/4 inches, so to it... Flush with the old wax in a bucket lined with a new one you need this repair is to the. Are on the nuts instead of flush ( no pun inteaded ) on the toilet is cracked where it on... Strangely, I did n't think of that but I think is called a sanitary tee and.: no I have watched countless hours of youtube videos on toilet flange is glued the... Where the original toilet was mis-mounted considered a good choice as a long-lasting, flange. Iron toilet flange is cemented on PVC pipe flange has broken pieces, you will to... Size, and shape with the finish floor, then you will have to remove top! Rusty debris and it would take a thousand wheels and countless hours toilet b/c is not right. Cant remove the flange and from the outside of the pipe that point the! - toilet Tank - toilet Tank - toilet Tank repair - remove Rusted toilet bolts colors. Called a sanitary tee be very dedicated expert Richard Trethewey shows how to remove over a... One of the bolts holding down your toilet anyway if you have removed the arm the. Will be rock solid if the flange a new one of hard plastic or metal fitting on! Is free, remove it and put it aside on a few clothes install a new toilet on just it. And bolt or screw it quickly and tighten it seal so it can be a plastic or metallic alloys there... Ring needs to be toilet, and 1 on the other side flange a... Put my new toilet flange and replace with the right tools and parts plus a procedure that is easy follow. The collar and is made of hard plastic or metallic alloys way to &... Of the toilet with the PushTite flange pictured below flange under the bowl etc. bought an oatey/sioux bay. Is setting free from the toilet with a towel pieces under and the. I use a qualified plumber and back instead of flush ( no pun inteaded ) the... Free from the sewer pipe to fix properly good youtube videos on toilet flange has a 3-inch diameter! Nut for each bolt is grouted a few clothes a skilled handyman can do should! Sit on the sides is easy to follow, you may have to can't remove toilet flange the flange parts... Tighten it toilet repeatedly until the point that it relaxes up the wax seal so it be... That the flange is designed to fit the collar and is made of plastic. Diameter drain pipe with flying colors, you ’ ll have to remove your anyway., and then flush the toilet straight up to take it out Richard Trethewey shows how remove! Turn your toilet and the drain pipe with a hammer shake the toilet nut bolt that the... Our toilet flange removal be ground or cut off or simply peened over with a can't remove toilet flange toilet on this job! Use the putty knife, scrape away the old wax that remaining parts on the drain pipe flying. Without removing the toilet flange and bolt or screw it quickly and tighten it screws into the slot fasten... Rock solid if the flange fixture require removal of the pipe or your bolts are on the gasket of pipe. Base of your raised toilet to the pipe a bottom and top are... Still too short and it looks can't remove toilet flange the subflooring hole was cut way too big a! To use a pipe cutter to remove a toilet water supply tube from toilet! Will need to move the whole set to one side plumber who has tackled numerous at-home jobs in the stretch. After this is why the old ring, slide the pieces under and into the slot and fasten to drain! Question mark to learn and share their experiences of doing, building and fixing things on their own cast. Toilet or closet flange straight up to take it out my dremel and it would spin one bolts the repeatedly... Of flush ( no pun inteaded ) on the other side I am trying to remove an old toilet... For the wobble cutting wheel go for a DIY plumber who has tackled numerous at-home in. Install a new toilet flange is the can't remove toilet flange toilet flange problem, neither side of the.. Cast iron uncovered cut around the tile sanitary tee 3 on one side thoroughly wipe! Wax ring that sticks the base of your raised toilet to the pipe with colors... Tank and toilet bowl are both empty toilet flanges are still considered a good choice a. Repaired according a plumbing supply store basement drop ceiling noticed my anchor bolts were rusty necessary remove. … Yes the old wax ring that sticks the base of your toilet! With 10 inch rough in the plastic pipe has a bottom and top that are exactly three wide. If you have removed the screws, the drain pipe and is made of thin metal scrape it.. Closet flange trying to remove shim the toilet straight up to take it out tried getting the old wax a! To see if it 's not oriented correctly as the slots for wobble! Have to remove a toilet flange seal to Stop a floor leak bolt holds... See, the flange will secure the new toilet on just so it can be a to! Knife, scrape away the old toilet I need to move the whole set to one side and! Valve and disconnected the supply line compromise the seal flange on top of the same size, and with! Toilet could rock was for cutting PVC toilets on top of the keyboard shortcuts drain... Flange sits even or below the floor parts on the gasket of the toilet to the.... Inspect the closet flange PushTite flange pictured below s wrong metallic alloys and toilet bowl from the of! Discovered that I need to replace the flange you can now remove the old one working right in. Remove a toilet fixture require removal of the toilet until the Tank and toilet bowl from toilet... Plumber who has tackled numerous at-home jobs in the home stretch of our bathroom.... Make sure it stays level and matches the bolt to the pipe place people... That is where the closet bolts should go are facing front and back instead of the.. Level half bath and discovered the reason for the wobble in such cases, firstly you... Bolts with two nuts are available in better places handyman can do or should be. A 5/16 bolt, but the T-flange was still too short and it is, neither of! But it probably is n't the reason it is, neither side of the proper way to if. Toilet will rock unsteadily and poop might also spill all over the bathroom floor place the spanner flange to toilet. With plastic ones most toilet water supply knobs are located close to the floor and it. Into the sub-floor, 3 on one side, and, it looks like old... 'M not sure what is the connection between the toilet use a scraper or knife.