How to Replace a Toilet Flange

If you notice water around the bottom of your toilet, you may need to replace the toilet flange. The toilet flange has two jobs. It is the pipe fitting that connects the drain of the toilet to the floor drain, and it holds the toilet securely to the floor.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Length of 3- or 4-inch PVC pipe
• Coupling
• PVC glue
• Tape measure
• Flange
• Dremel tool with reinforced cutting disks
• Screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Wax ring
• Permanent marker
• Safety glasses
• Hacksaw

Removing the Flange

1. Turn off the water supply and loosen the hose that supplies the water.

2. Empty the toilet of water by flushing.

3. Loosen the 2 nuts that are located on each side of the toilet. Place them in a safe location, because you will need them to remount the toilet.

4. Lift the toilet. Set it in a place where the rest of the water can drain from it, such as a shower or bathtub.

5. Clean the wax from the flange seal, and then remove the screws that attach it to the floor.

6. Measure the pipe that comes out of the floor so that you purchase the correct size. You will need to buy a new flange, a new section of pipe with the same diameter as the old pipe, a pipe coupling, a new wax ring and PVC glue if you do not have any.

7. Cut off the flange at the red line. This can be done, from inside the pipe, using a Dremel tool with a reinforced disk for cutting.

Preparing the Flange

8. Fit the coupling onto the pipe that you cut off in the floor, and then fit the new pipe length into the coupling.

9. Make sure the fit is snug.

10. Mark on the new pipe to the correct height, which is just below floor level.

11. Remove the pipe coupling and the new pipe from the pipe that is cut in the floor.

12. Use a hacksaw and cut the new pipe to the correct length.

13. Glue all the pieces together using PVC glue, making sure your work area is well-ventilated. Apply the glue to the pieces and set them into place quickly. Repeat the gluing process with all three pieces.

Replacing the Flange

14. Mount the new toilet flange to the floor and replace the flange bolts.

15. Replace the floor screws and insert the flange bolts, making sure to tighten them well.

16. Push the new wax ring firmly into place on the bottom of the toilet.

17. Line up the toilet with the flange bolts and gently place the toilet down on the new flange.

18. Press the toilet down, making sure that it is firmly in place.

19. Put the washer and nut back onto the flange bolt and tighten.

20. Reconnect the water supply hose and turn the water supply back on.