Replacing flange and wax ring

sis_odda · 07-12-2010, 10:52 PM

Hi,

I was planning on replacing my wax ring because the toilet is rocking and I am concerned that it may be a little water under there.(or as my husband says I am just paranoid, that is why I waited to do this when he left town) It seems like everything in this house is just rigged up for quick fixes and nothing is done right. Any who the flange is not flushed with the concrete floor it is on top of the titles, however it is NOT moving. I was told that it needs to be flushed with the concrete. So my concern is do I leave the elevated flange there and just put down the wax ring on or should I definitely, pull out the old one, knock out some titles, and replace? My other concern is that if I do have to take the hard route, this old flange is Not using screws to hold it in place. And here in lies the entire confusion… what should I do? Suggestions please help…(oh and by the way my husband was wrong this is a little water under there

)

JDC · 07-12-2010, 11:21 PM

The bottom of the flange should be sitting on top of the finished floor....in this case, the tile. In addition, it should be screwed down to the floor. This can be accomplished with a masonary bit, a hammer drill and some tap-con screws.

benjamincall · 07-12-2010, 11:35 PM

Having the flange on top of the finished floor is normal.

I like to use an extra thick wax ring just to be safe. http://www.amazon.com/William-H-Harv...8991123&sr=8-2

If the toilet is not secured to the flange or if the flange is not secured to the floor, you have the answer to your rocking toilet mystery.

Afte you secure the toilet, seal the gap between the toilet and the floor with matching grout:

http://www.plumbingsupply.com/toiletflanges.html *****scroll to the very bottom of this page for the Q&A about toilet flanges installation****

Edit:
*Didn't see JDC's post* I concur with what he said.

sis_odda · 07-12-2010, 11:43 PM

The men at home depot made a big deal about it being ontop of the tiles... thanks sooo much for all your help... this means i can return some stuff to home depot and finish the job tonight...Thanks

majakdragon · 07-13-2010, 08:46 AM

Another scenario is the drain pipe is encased in concrete (the floor) and that is why they did not secure the flange with screws. Try grabbing the flange and try to move it. If it does not move, the floor may not be completely level and this is the reason for the rocking. You can find plastic toilet shims at Home Depot.

rockerjockey · 07-13-2010, 08:58 AM

Even though the piping may be in concrete the flange should always be secured with screws. It is all too common for the flange to break at the bolt slots if the closet bolts are over tightened or the toilet is not properly secured to the floor and is allowed to rock. You should check your old flange for damage in that area before resetting the toilet.

majakdragon · 07-13-2010, 01:28 PM

While I agree with rockerjockey, I also know how work was done. Not always correct though

07-12-2010, 10:52 PM	#1
sis_odda Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2	Replacing flange and wax ring Hi, I was planning on replacing my wax ring because the toilet is rocking and I am concerned that it may be a little water under there.(or as my husband says I am just paranoid, that is why I waited to do this when he left town) It seems like everything in this house is just rigged up for quick fixes and nothing is done right. Any who the flange is not flushed with the concrete floor it is on top of the titles, however it is NOT moving. I was told that it needs to be flushed with the concrete. So my concern is do I leave the elevated flange there and just put down the wax ring on or should I definitely, pull out the old one, knock out some titles, and replace? My other concern is that if I do have to take the hard route, this old flange is Not using screws to hold it in place. And here in lies the entire confusion… what should I do? Suggestions please help…(oh and by the way my husband was wrong this is a little water under there)

07-12-2010, 11:21 PM	#2
JDC Plumbing Contractor Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 379	Replacing flange and wax ring The bottom of the flange should be sitting on top of the finished floor....in this case, the tile. In addition, it should be screwed down to the floor. This can be accomplished with a masonary bit, a hammer drill and some tap-con screws.

07-12-2010, 11:35 PM	#3
benjamincall Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 406	Replacing flange and wax ring Having the flange on top of the finished floor is normal. I like to use an extra thick wax ring just to be safe. http://www.amazon.com/William-H-Harv...8991123&sr=8-2 If the toilet is not secured to the flange or if the flange is not secured to the floor, you have the answer to your rocking toilet mystery. Afte you secure the toilet, seal the gap between the toilet and the floor with matching grout: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/toiletflanges.html ***scroll to the very bottom of this page for the Q&A about toilet flanges installation** Edit: Didn't see JDC's post I concur with what he said. Last edited by benjamincall; 07-13-2010 at 12:37 AM.

07-12-2010, 11:43 PM	#4
sis_odda Newbie Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2	Replacing flange and wax ring The men at home depot made a big deal about it being ontop of the tiles... thanks sooo much for all your help... this means i can return some stuff to home depot and finish the job tonight...Thanks

07-13-2010, 08:46 AM	#5
majakdragon Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,670	Replacing flange and wax ring Another scenario is the drain pipe is encased in concrete (the floor) and that is why they did not secure the flange with screws. Try grabbing the flange and try to move it. If it does not move, the floor may not be completely level and this is the reason for the rocking. You can find plastic toilet shims at Home Depot. __________________ If you have never made a mistake, you haven't done much.

Replacing flange and wax ring