How To Install A Toilet Flange That Will Not Break


How To Install A Toilet Flange That Will Not Break

If you’re reading this, you are most likely aware of how frustrating it is to replace a toilet flange. It’s dirty and sometimes a tricky job. As you know, a leaky toilet can cause a crazy amount of damage to your home, especially if it’s located in an upstairs bathroom so let’s go over how to install a toilet flange that will not break?

How to install a toilet flange that will not break? Install a half-moon repair bracket under each side of the new flange. These brackets are intended to be used when trying to salvage or repair a toilet flange; however, if you also use them on new toilet flanges, you have installed a flange that will not easily break.

Walla! That’s it.

Yes, these half-moon repair flanges are designed for repairing a toilet flange. Use one of them on each side, whether it’s a repair or a new install. Also, they have tabs on their side, so if you want to anchor them, you can at any time to the concrete or a wood floor. Anchoring the flange is always recommended.

This is an easy and effective way of setting a toilet, so you don’t have to worry about rocking, shifting, and eventually leaking.

Once & Done!

Here is a still of things you will need to install a toilet flange that will not break. We also explain why we choose to use these particular products.

Half-Moon Toilet Anchor Repair Flange

1.) Reason: They go under the PVC flange and strengthens the flange substantially. Half-Moon Anchor Brackets

This method is far better than flanges with a half metal ring on top and half plastic PVC on the bottom, which I have personally replaced quite a number of these metal/plastic type flanges.

The metal ring to the plastic bottom isn’t strong, and the thinner metal will rust out rather quickly if exposed. My method is stronger. Its minimum thickness is not an issue under the flange.

Just remember before gluing the flange down to go ahead and slide the bolt through the half-moon ring and the flange.

Tip; At this point, put a washer and nut on the bolts to hold everything together while you are gluing flange.

Extra Long Toilet Flange (Concrete Floor)

2.) Reason: you might want this. If you have a concrete floor and don’t want to drill anchor holes for whatever reason. If the pipe is set tight in the concrete, gluing this long flang in the pipe will definitely not come out after drying. Extra Long Flange

This is made to glue in a 4″ pipe and over a 3″ pipe.

If you have concrete and glue in the extra-long toilet flange, you will not have to worry about anchoring the flange to the concrete at all.

Make sure to test fit it a little to see if it’s a real tight fit from the concrete squeezing the pipe.

If it’s really tight, cut the toilet flange in half.

If it is too long and bottoms out on a fitting, just cut it accordingly.

If it feels like a looser fit, and you have the depth, glue the entire thing in there.

Toilet Seal That Won’t Leak

3.) Reason: This is a waxless seal ring that will not leak or sag like the wax rings. If the toilet ever shifts around or rocks this ring (unlike wax) will not sag and lose its contact with the bottom of the toilet. It can be compressed and moved and still rebound to keep its shape and seal. Wax Free Seal

Also, wax rings are very prone to let sewer gas escape into the house when it loses contact at any point under the toilet.

I’ve been on a lot of service calls for sewer gas smell and this is exactly what it ended up being(wax ring leaking).

The rebound that the foam rings have is the key factor here. For instance, if you take your hand and push down on wax, it will stay in that compress position. However, if you do the same thing with a foam ring, it will spring right back up to its original position.

All foam rings are not created equal. Some of them are prone to get caught on a toilet auger or snake should you have a toilet clog.

I’ve seen some of them get ripped right from under the toilet when getting caught on a snake. The cone is too deep on some rings, just like the black cones on some wax rings. The same thing happens. I’ll be making a list of the top three that we use, but for now, this one is what we used for years with no issues. It doesn’t rip or decompose. Also, it has a removable section for different flange heights, which is very convenient.

Forgot to mention, below in the ‘Why is my wax ring leaking’ section, I talk about another reason I do not use wax seals for the toilet.

Toilet Bolts That Are Easy To Cut

4.) Reason: Cutting the toilet bolts are one of my least favorite things to do in the whole world of plumbing. No Joke. Easy to cut Toilet Bolts

That’s why you need these. They are very easy to cut yet plenty, plenty strong enough for the job. Oh yeah, did I say easy to cut, like really easy? Game-changing product.

Why Is My Wax Ring Leaking?

If your toilet is clogged and won’t clear quickly with a plunger, what do you do? You start plunging harder and harder. You may notice your wax being leaking and wonder why my way ring leaking is?

Why is my wax ring leaking? The toilet bolts or toilet flange may be broken, allowing your toilet to move or, you may have created a leak by plunging to forcefully. Forceful plunging can and does put enough force on the wax seal to move and create a small water leak or sewer gas leak. Try using a wax-free toilet seal next time like the foam rings which will rebound to original shape and reseal.

Most of the time when customers call us about a sewer gas smell coming from their bathroom, the toilet leaky at the bottom is usually the cause. Which I would say, more time than not, is caused by multiple plunging sections.

Over plunging or forceful plunging does cause issues, unfortunately. Most people do not realize this can happen when they are plugging and do not hear other plumbers talking about it. So, next time you’re setting a toilet or hire someone, make sure to use a foam seal. It could save you some money.

If you need help with something else check out some of my other articles.

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