How high should toilet flange sit above 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. If you recently tiled or changed the bathroom flooring, the flange height is likely less than optimal.


Should the toilet flange be level with floor?

A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

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.


Is it OK for toilet flange to be lower than floor?

In a typical toilet installation, the floor flange that sits inside the drain opening below the toilet should be positioned so that its bottom surface rests flush against the finished floor or no more than 1/4 inch above or below the floor.

Should toilet flange sit on top of tile?

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. The spacing of the toilet exit "horn" and sealing surface is designed for this height.


Setting a Toilet with a High Flange Above the Floor



Does floating floor go under toilet flange?

If you're installing a new floor, pedestal sink, and toilet, you should install the laminate flooring first so it's under the sink and toilet. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room.

What happens if your toilet flange is too low?

Low toilet flange is a common problem when installing a new (or in my case thicker mortar base). Unless your toilet is properly mated and sealed to the waste pipe, you may face problems related to sewer gas odor (it's very unhealthy and unpleasant) and/or fluid leaks.

Should you 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.


Can a toilet flange be higher than the floor?

If you've noticed that your toilet wobbles, leaks, or the base doesn't fully reach the floor, then it's likely that the height of your toilet flange is too high. Prolonged use of a toilet with a flange that's too tall can cause structural damage to the bathroom.

How high can a toilet flange sit above tile?

For those that don't already know, the proper toilet flange height is when it's flush with the top of the finished floor. The optimum height is about ¼ inch. It's easier to get your flange flush with the floor if you lay your flooring before you install the flange. What is this?

What happens if you use a flange that is too big?

If your flanges are too large, your areola will be pulled into your pump's breast flange tunnel, which can cause discomfort, as well. It's also possible that your areola won't receive enough stimulation, which could cause delayed onset low milk supply.


Should I put the wax ring on the toilet or the flange?

Whenever you remove a toilet for any reason, you will need to replace the wax ring seal between the toilet and the toilet flange (sometimes called a closet flange) attached to the floor. A wax seal is used because it resists mold and bacteria and retains its sealing ability after years of use.

Do you screw toilet flange to subfloor?

Install the New Toilet Flange

Secure the new flange to the subfloor with the provided hardware. If no hardware was provided, use wood screws or cement screws, depending on your subfloor material.

Should you caulk around a toilet?

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?


What happens if you don't caulk around toilet?

Caulk prevents water from seeping under the toilet.

If there is no caulk, any water that creeps underneath the toilet can remain undisturbed for some time. It will soon start to stagnate, providing a breeding ground for mold and fungus.

What height should a senior toilet be?

While a standard toilet typically measures 15 or 16 inches from the floor to the top of the seat, comfort toilet heights are 17 to 19 inches. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifies that the height of a disabled toilet must be within this range.

Should toilet flange be glued to pipe?

This toilet flange is designed to glue on the inside of the pipe or expand inside the pipe. Leave the old toilet flange right in place and glue on the new one at the right elevation for the floor, if it's plastic. The flange should be sitting with the bottom edge flush with the top of the floor.


Can you put a new toilet flange over an old one?

Can you put a new toilet flange over an old one? A standard toilet flange should fit snugly into the outflow pipe and sit level with the subfloor. Installing a new one without first removing the old one will make it impossible to form a seal and keep the toilet bowl bolted securely in place.

Can you double up wax rings on toilet?

You can certainly install a toilet with multiple wax rings, in fact sometimes it is necessary to make sure you don't have a leak. The most common case is when a homeowner will install a tile floor (or really any thick floor).

Can you reposition a toilet flange?

Move the bolts into the new toilet position by sliding the bolts along their grooves. Unless you are rotating the toilet less than a few degrees, you have to rotate the flange itself before the bolts can slide into the position you want.


Do you have to screw the toilet flange to concrete floor?

Once the flange is in place, you need to drill holes for the screws in the concrete. You will need to use a concrete drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screws. The number of screws you need will depend on the size of the flange. Most flanges require four screws to hold them in place.

Why is the subfloor under toilet wet?

The most problematic source of leaks on a toilet is the wax seal where the toilet attaches to the drain pipe in the floor. Wax seal leaks are problematic as they leak dirty water and the water can quickly rot the floor boards under the toilet. Both toilet tank gaskets and toilet tank bolts can leak.

Can you over tighten a toilet to the floor?

If you tighten it too much, you can pull the closet bolt out through the flange, ruining the flange or breaking the porcelain. DO NOT tighten it as tight as it will go, like you're building something or working on your car - you'll break the flange, chip or crack the porcelain or both.