Replace a toilet flange

To get a new toilet flange, take the old one with you when going top shop for a replacement. Courtesy photo

What you need to know:

  • A toilet flange is one of the things that take long to need replacement, however, over time, one might need to replace their flange as a result of age.

A toilet flange is what connects your toilet to the drainage in the floor. Often, when your toilet is shaky and unstable, it is likely that you need to replace the flange. Additionally, a poor flange may be characterised by a leakage between the toilet root and the floor.

Frederick Mukasa, a plumber, notes that a toilet flange is one of the things that take long to need replacement, however, over time, one might need to replace their flange as a result of age.

Mukasa notes that before one replaces their flange, they have to first remove it and use the old flange to buy a new one for purposes of getting the diameter of the pipe that takes the sewer right.

Before replacing, cut off all water supply to the toilet by closing off the tap at the back of the toilet. Flash the rest of the water out until the toilet is dry to avoid any water spilling to the ground.
“Since the toilet is heavy, you will need some help uprooting it from the flange, so mind that. Also, be warned that there might be sewer smell in the process of replacing the flange, so get a rug to cover the hole after you unplug the toilet,” Mukasa says. He further explains that;

Your toilet has two or more bolts that were used to hold it firm into the ground, so unscrew these using an adjustable wrench.

With help, shake the toilet vigorously, but with caution to detouch its root from the old flange to remove it.
Having detouched it, lift it from the hole to a secure space (but near), to give you more working space. Make the toilet to safely rest in it’s side and clean the wax on the root/ mouth (where it had been attached to the flange) in preparation of the new wax that will be applied.

Next, unscrew the flange from the ground where it has been held with screws.

Fit the new flange to the sewer pipe and screw it back in position. After that, wax the the mouth of the toilet (where you have removed the old wax) The wax is used as an adhesive for proper attachemnet of the toilet to the flange that attaches it to the ground.

With help, lift up the toilet back to the newly attached flange and press it down. However, be careful to align the holes of the bolts when replacing it.

Screw the bolts back to position. After this, reconnect the water and flash again. The reason you should do this immediately is so that you test out your new fix before the wax gets too dry so that in case a leaking is observed, you can refix it again with little difficulty.