Toilets are a necessity in every home and require proper installation to ensure they work as intended. While the toilet seat is an essential part of your toilet, a key component to its installation is the fitting connecting it to the drainpipe. This fitting is called the toilet flange. If not installed properly, this small plumbing component can cause significant damage to your toilet including cracks and leaks.
Installing a toilet flange can be a challenging task for someone with no understanding of plumbing and proper tools. In this blog, we’ll discuss essential tips you’ll need while installing a toilet flange.
Required Tools
- Hammer drill with a 1/4-inch masonry bit
- Multi-tool grinder
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver
- Putty knife
- Socket wrench
Required Materials
- A new toilet flange
- Latex gloves
- Trash bag
- Screws
13 Steps to Install a Toilet Flange
With the equipment covered, let’s get to the step-by-step guide on how you can install a toilet flange:
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Turn Off the Water Supply
The first thing you’d need to do is drain out the water in the toilet. Start by shutting off the water supply line to the tank and detaching the outflow pipe. The next step is to flush the toilet until the bowl is empty. It might require more than one flush.
Once it’s done, force the remaining water out of the bowl using a toilet plunger.
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Detach The Toilet
Once the entire toilet setup is free of water, it’s time to dismantle it. Detach the toilet tank from the seat by removing the bolts that connect the two. A socket wrench will be handy for this task. Put the tank aside for later.
Proceed to take off the bolts attaching the toilet seat to the floor. If these bolts have plastic caps, remove them first. Cut through the caulk at the toilet base using a cutter.
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Remove the Toilet Seat
Next, remove the toilet seat by breaking the wax seal. You can do this by striking the sides of the toilet bowl repeatedly. Once you’ve successfully broken the wax ring, you can remove the toilet from the floor.
Note that, on average, the weight of the toilet bowl is equivalent to an eight-year-old kid. You might need additional support to lift it.
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Remove the Old Flange and Obstructions
As soon as you’ve removed the toilet, you might see an existing toilet flange since toilets are rarely attached to the sewer line without one. You need to pull the old flange off before installing a new one.
The old flange is attached to the concrete slabs with bolts. You can also utilize these bolts for your new flange if they’re compatible and in good condition. However, you can cut off these bolts that don’t match your new flange or are too rusted.
An angle grinder with a metal-cutting blade will help remove the bolts and other obstructions. Make sure you cut all these pieces perfectly.
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Cut off the Existing Wax Ring
After removing the old flange and obstructions, you’ll find an existing wax ring around the drain opening. This wax will probably be sticky and thick with stains on it. In order to remove it, you’ll need latex gloves, a putty knife, and of course, patience. After successfully removing all traces of the wax ring, put them inside a plastic bag for disposal.
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Pick an Appropriate New Flange
After cutting off the old wax ring, note the drain pipe’s size. The new flange needs to match the pipe. Carefully measure the diameter as it will help you buy the new flange. Also, it’s always safer to take the old flange with you to the shop to avoid any confusion.
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Place T-Bolts in New Toilet Flange
Once you’ve picked the right toilet flange, place T-bolts in it to stick up threaded shafts. Placing these bolts will help you visualize the position of your toilet.
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Position Your New Toilet Flange
After that, you need to position the new flange using T-boils as reference points. Make sure both bolts are equally distant from the wall behind so the toilet tank stays parallel to the wall. You can rotate the toilet flange in either direction until it reaches your preferred position.
Once you have placed the toilet, you can also rotate it slightly. However, it’s better to get your preferred position before securing the flange. Furthermore, make sure the toilet flange fits without any gaps.
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Drill Holes
After placing the new toilet flange, the next step is to drill holes into the concrete using a hammer drill and 1/4-inch concrete bits. Bore four holes at equal distance around the rings through the toilet flange and into the floor. You can utilize the hammer drill’s depth gauge to figure out how deep you want to drill.
Make sure your drill angle is not towards the sewer. If you accidentally break a part of the sewer pipe, it can be costly to repair.
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Screw Toilet Flange Onto Concrete
After drilling, the next step is to screw the toilet flange onto the floor using Tapcon screws. In case you’re using a plastic flange ring, make sure you do not crack it by drilling the screws in too far.
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Attach Toilet Tank
Once you’ve completed screwing anchors onto the concrete slab, attach the tank to the toilet bowl and ensure it’s facing the front.
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Turn on the Water Supply
Connect the water supply line to the toilet and gradually turn it on. Make sure to check for any leakage after filling the tank with water.
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Attach Toilet Seat
Lastly, place the toilet seat on the bowl by inserting plastic bolts through the holes between the seat and the toilet bowl.
Final Words
Installing or replacing a toilet flange comes with its own challenges. It’s a process you need to be careful about. You can follow the steps mentioned above to install a toilet flange. However, it’s always a good idea to call a professional plumber if you’re struggling with any part of the installation process.