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.


What to do if toilet flange is lower than floor?

If you do have the problem of a too-short flange, there is a fairly easy solution. It's called a toilet flange spacer, or a toilet flange extender. They are available in different sizes based on different needs; some even have rubber or silicone gaskets attached that get inserted into the existing flange.

How do I know if my toilet flange is too low?

If you are fitting a new toilet or are putting your old toilet back in place after laying a new floor surface in your bathroom, you will be able to see visually that the flange is too low since it will sit below the surface of the floor.


How high should toilet flange sit above floor?

With 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.

Should toilet flange be flush with finished 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.


Installing a toilet flange spacer - Oatey - Flange too low



Do they make a toilet flange extension?

Oatey Set-Rite Toilet Flange Extension Kit is a watertight solution for raising the toilet flange during a remodel. This extension kit provides the ability to easily extend the flange surface above the finished floor for optimum sealing with a standard wax ring.

Should toilet flange be 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.

How far down can a toilet flange be?

Standard drywall is 1/2 inch thick, so the plumber should set the toilet flange at least 15-1/2 inches from the center of the flange to the wall framing. The standard distance from the back wall is 12 inches, or 12-1/2 inches from the center of the flange to the wall framing.


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 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.

Does a toilet flange have to be bolted to the floor?

The flange should be fastened to the floor. Dry fit the toilet to make sure it doesn't rock. If it does rock, use shims to prevent rocking - just tightening the bolts probably will not stop the rocking but will risk cracking the toilet or breaking the flange.


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.

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).

Should toilet flange fit inside or outside pipe?

If the pipe has a 4-inch inside diameter:

The flange should be sitting with the bottom edge flush with the top of the floor. 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.


How far should toilet flange be from tile?

Most toilets have the flange above the flooring, roughly 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch above the tiles.

How much space should be between toilet and flange?

Most codes require at least 15 inches (measured from the center of the toilet) from any side wall or obstruction and not closer than 30 inches center to center to any other sanitary fixture. (The NKBA actually recommends 32 inches.)

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?


Can you overtighten toilet to floor?

Tightening toilet bolts is a fickle business. Whether you are working on the tank-to-bowl connection or bowl-to-floor connection, there is that fine line to want to creep up to but not pass. Toilets are made of vitreous china and if you put too much stress on them they can crack.

Does the flooring go around or under toilet?

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.

Should you grout around a toilet?

Plumbing codes require caulking a toilet to the floor.

This is arguably the single most important reason. In most parts of the United States, it is a requirement of building code to caulk around toilet bases.


How long does it take a plumber to replace a toilet flange?

In a perfect world, a plumber will remove your toilet, pop out the old flange, pop in the new one, and have everything back to normal in about an hour. Unfortunately, things aren't always so simple. You may have a broken toilet flange that's too damaged to easily remove.

Will toilet leak if flange is broken?

A broken 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 break 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.

Does a toilet flange fit inside a 4 inch pipe?

A: Yes ... it is designed to fit inside a 4" pipe.