QA

Question: What Is Proper Toilet Flange Height

Table of Contents

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 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.

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.

Should the toilet flange be flush with the floor?

Replacing or adjusting the height of your flange. When you install your toilet flange, it should be installed on top of the finished floor, and it should also be installed perfectly level. If your flange sits even or below the floor, then it’s wrong. It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor.

Can toilet flange 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.

How long should toilet flange last?

Up to 30 years. A flange and its wax seal will often last the life of the toilet, 20 or 30 years, without needing to be changed.

Should you tile around or under a toilet?

The bathroom fitters are unanimous—if you’re looking for a high quality finish, with a better seal against water damage, then always tile the floor first. The floor will be sealed a lot better with the tiles being laid under the toilet. 2. It is also easier to do this rather than trying to cut tiles around the toilet.

What if toilet flange is not level?

If the toilet flange is not level, you should replace it. First, empty the toilet, remove the toilet tank and bowl, then remove the existing flange. Next, install the new flange and place a wax ring around it to keep it level.

Can you shim a toilet flange?

How to Level a Toilet Using Toilet Shims. Toilet shims are thin plastic or rubber tabs that are used to level a toilet. You can also use homemade wooden shims or stainless steel coins. If a toilet is installed on an uneven floor or if the toilet flange is too high off the floor, the toilet will need to be shimmed.

How high should a toilet flange be above the finished floor?

Check the Flange Height 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.

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

Either slide the new closet flange bolts into the old flange before adding the extender or add them after you adhere the extender to the old flange. Consequently, we chose to add one of the bolts to the old flange first since it was a tight fit. Add metal washers and nuts to the closet flange bolts.

Do Waxless toilet seals work?

All of the wax style rings, waxless rings, or gasket seals will work if installed properly. Some of the new waxless style toilet seals have a longer seal or can be stacked which can make it easy for anyone to set a toilet without leaks.

Why do toilet wax rings fail?

One very common cause of wax ring problems is loose toilets. If the toilet is not firmly mounted, or gets loose to the point where it rocks a bit, it can cause the wax ring to lose its seal. When installed, a wax ring is compressed to fit the flange and the toilet, creating the seal.

How do I know if my toilet flange is bad?

If you notice a lot of water pooling at the base of your toilet and inspect to find that your flange is cracked or broken, it’s time for a replacement.Signs of potential flange damage: Any leak from the bottom of your toilet. Unpleasant odors. A loose toilet that shifts or rocks.

Does toilet or floor install first?

Bathroom Construction Floor coverings such as vinyl then are placed on top of the subfloor. The toilet goes in next, and the vanity typically is installed last without a top, sink or faucets. If you’re doing a complete floor replacement, the vanity needs to be removed completely.

In what order should I remodel my bathroom?

How to renovate a bathroom: order of work > Assessing your requirements. > Setting a budget. > Choosing the perfect design. > Removing your old bathroom. > Installing your new bathroom. > Sanitary ware and fitted furniture. > Wall and floor coverings. > Lighting and ventilation.

Does a toilet have to be perfectly level?

2 Answers. There are purists out there that may say it must be level, but if it looks good setting there, I would let it set on the floor with no shims. It should not affect the operation of the flapper or valve that flushes the toilet.

Why is toilet crooked?

Usually, the hole in the toilet is big enough to rotate it at least a few degrees, and if they used the slots, probably more as the bolt can move, too. Also, it’s a good idea to use a second nut and washer to lock the bolt into the flange, and if they did that, it won’t move without removing the toilet.

Are there different size toilet flanges?

Toilet flanges come in six different types and three standard sizes with the option of an odd fit. The types are based on the material from which they are made, that is aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, plastic, and cast iron. The sizes also range from a four by three, four-inch, or three inches flange.

Does toilet flange go inside or outside 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 use 2 wax rings when installing a 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. You can buy an extra-thick wax ring, or you can just buy two rings and stack one on top of the other.

How thick is an extra-thick wax ring?

If it’s at the same level, or no more than 1/4 inch below it, a regular wax ring, which is between 3/4 and 1 inch thick, is all you need. If the flange is recessed deeper than that, you need an extra-thick wax ring, which is about an inch thicker than a regular one.

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.

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.

Should the toilet flange be flush with the floor?

Replacing or adjusting the height of your flange. When you install your toilet flange, it should be installed on top of the finished floor, and it should also be installed perfectly level. If your flange sits even or below the floor, then it’s wrong. It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor.

Can toilet flange 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.

How long should toilet flange last?

Up to 30 years. A flange and its wax seal will often last the life of the toilet, 20 or 30 years, without needing to be changed.

Should you tile around or under a toilet?

The bathroom fitters are unanimous—if you’re looking for a high quality finish, with a better seal against water damage, then always tile the floor first. The floor will be sealed a lot better with the tiles being laid under the toilet. 2. It is also easier to do this rather than trying to cut tiles around the toilet.

What if toilet flange is not level?

If the toilet flange is not level, you should replace it. First, empty the toilet, remove the toilet tank and bowl, then remove the existing flange. Next, install the new flange and place a wax ring around it to keep it level.

Can you shim a toilet flange?

How to Level a Toilet Using Toilet Shims. Toilet shims are thin plastic or rubber tabs that are used to level a toilet. You can also use homemade wooden shims or stainless steel coins. If a toilet is installed on an uneven floor or if the toilet flange is too high off the floor, the toilet will need to be shimmed.

How high should a toilet flange be above the finished floor?

Check the Flange Height 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.

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

Either slide the new closet flange bolts into the old flange before adding the extender or add them after you adhere the extender to the old flange. Consequently, we chose to add one of the bolts to the old flange first since it was a tight fit. Add metal washers and nuts to the closet flange bolts.

Do Waxless toilet seals work?

All of the wax style rings, waxless rings, or gasket seals will work if installed properly. Some of the new waxless style toilet seals have a longer seal or can be stacked which can make it easy for anyone to set a toilet without leaks.

Why do toilet wax rings fail?

One very common cause of wax ring problems is loose toilets. If the toilet is not firmly mounted, or gets loose to the point where it rocks a bit, it can cause the wax ring to lose its seal. When installed, a wax ring is compressed to fit the flange and the toilet, creating the seal.

How do I know if my toilet flange is bad?

If you notice a lot of water pooling at the base of your toilet and inspect to find that your flange is cracked or broken, it’s time for a replacement.Signs of potential flange damage: Any leak from the bottom of your toilet. Unpleasant odors. A loose toilet that shifts or rocks.

Does toilet or floor install first?

Bathroom Construction Floor coverings such as vinyl then are placed on top of the subfloor. The toilet goes in next, and the vanity typically is installed last without a top, sink or faucets. If you’re doing a complete floor replacement, the vanity needs to be removed completely.

In what order should I remodel my bathroom?

How to renovate a bathroom: order of work > Assessing your requirements. > Setting a budget. > Choosing the perfect design. > Removing your old bathroom. > Installing your new bathroom. > Sanitary ware and fitted furniture. > Wall and floor coverings. > Lighting and ventilation.

Does a toilet have to be perfectly level?

2 Answers. There are purists out there that may say it must be level, but if it looks good setting there, I would let it set on the floor with no shims. It should not affect the operation of the flapper or valve that flushes the toilet.

Why is toilet crooked?

Usually, the hole in the toilet is big enough to rotate it at least a few degrees, and if they used the slots, probably more as the bolt can move, too. Also, it’s a good idea to use a second nut and washer to lock the bolt into the flange, and if they did that, it won’t move without removing the toilet.

Are there different size toilet flanges?

Toilet flanges come in six different types and three standard sizes with the option of an odd fit. The types are based on the material from which they are made, that is aluminum, copper, brass, stainless steel, plastic, and cast iron. The sizes also range from a four by three, four-inch, or three inches flange.