How do I know if my toilet flange is bad?

Author: Hassan Kling  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 20, 2023

In addition to your toilet rocking, there are other warning signs that may indicate your flange is broken including:
  1. Visible leaks beneath the toilet.
  2. Flooring surrounding the toilet feels soft.
  3. Water spots appearing on the ceiling located directly below the toilet.

How do I know if my toilet flange needs replacing?

Some signs you may need toilet flange repair include: Toilet rocking back and forth. Sewer odors. Leaks from the base of the toilet.

How much does it cost to have a toilet flange replace?

Replacing a toilet flange costs $145 to $165 on average. However, that's assuming no other complications pop up. Your costs could easily run into the hundreds or even thousands if a broken toilet flange is difficult to remove, or if you have excessive water damage.

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

Can you put a new toilet flange over an old one? A standard toilet flange should fit snugly into the outflow pipe and sit level with the subfloor. Installing a new one without first removing the old one will make it impossible to form a seal and keep the toilet bowl bolted securely in place.

Should I put the wax ring on the toilet or the flange?

Place the wax ring on the closet flange, not on the toilet. Pick up the toilet and set it evenly over the closet flange, making sure the bolts come through the bolt holes in the toilet base. Fine-tune the toilet position, so it's right where you want it, then push it straight down so it smashes the wax evenly.

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Will a broken toilet flange cause a leak?

If your toilet leaks, there's a good chance that a broken toilet flange is to blame. The flange is the metal coupling on top of the wax ring that secures your toilet to the floor and seals the connection between the toilet and sewer pipe. If either piece becomes worn or broken, you'll likely have a leak on your hands.

How long should a toilet flange last?

Flanges last for about 5-20 years. Worn-out flanges will no longer create a tight seal between the toilet and outflow pipe. As a result, when you flush, the toilet will leak at the base. By replacing the closet flange you will be able to stop the base from leaking.

Can you use a toilet with a broken flange?

Although rather common, a damaged toilet flange must be repaired as soon as possible to prevent leaks that could cause serious damage to your flooring or tile. A broken flange will cause the toilet to move because it is no longer secured to the flange, which is anchored to the subfloor.

What holds a toilet flange in place?

Secure the new flange to the subfloor with the provided hardware. If no hardware was provided, use wood screws or cement screws, depending on your subfloor material. Slide the toilet flange bolts into the new flange. Secure them with washers and nuts.

What causes a toilet flange to break?

A faulty or broken flange may be attributed to a loose or worn-out wax seal. However, flaws in the foundation, like an uneven floor, may also cause the toilet's base to leak. Here's everything you need to know about the toilet flange.

Should toilet flange sit on top of tile?

A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

Why is my new toilet rocking back and forth?

If your toilet doesn't sit flush against the floor, it will start moving as you use it. Most often, toilets rock back and forth because of a loose bolt, an uneven floor, or problems with the wax seal that connects your toilet to its drainage system.

How tight should a toilet flange be?

As a rule of thumb, try a turn or two a side until you feel resistance, them try to wiggle the toilet bowl slightly. If there is no significant movement, you are probably tight enough. This tightening operation is a "feel" thing you get from experience, so be conservative and use your best judgement.

How do I know if my toilet is installed correctly?

The toilet is fixed to the floor of the bathroom using a wax ring and a flange. If you see signs of toilet bowl water leakage, then the flange is not fixed properly. Wastewater should not leak from the bottom of the toilet and should directly flow into the sewer.

How often should toilet wax rings be replaced?

Every toilet in your home has a wax ring connecting it to your plumbing, which creates a waterproof seal to keep what goes down to the sewer from seeping out the sides. This piece of equipment usually lasts as long as the toilet, about 30 years.

Does a wax ring only leak when flushed?

The only-when-flushed toilet leak could be caused by loose mounting bolts or a worn-out wax gasket while the all-the-time leak could be caused by a loose water supply line connection, a problematic water shutoff valve, or a faulty seal between the toilet tank and its base.

How do I know if my wax ring is leaking?

Again, leaky water is a telltale and common sign of a bad wax ring. If you do not regularly see moisture or puddling water under your toilet, you may be fine. Leaks can, however, happen where you do not see them, under the finished floor and into the subfloor.

How do I know if my toilet is leaking underneath?

The main signs of a leaking toilet may include a damp area on the floor around the bottom of the toilet, a spongy feeling in the floor at the bottom of the toilet seat, signs of dampness on the ceiling in the room underneath your toilet, or the occasional smell of sewer gas and the flooring coming up in the area around ...

Is a leaking toilet pipe an emergency?

While leaky sinks and pipes can cause damage to your home, there's a vast difference between a tiny leak that's dripping and a considerable leak that quickly fills buckets of water. A large volume of leaking water is generally considered a plumbing emergency.

How long do toilet wax rings last?

The wax ring is exactly what it sounds like: a ring made of sticky wax that helps form a watertight seal between the bottom of the toilet and the sewer pipe. It requires no maintenance and can last 30 or more years, often as long as the toilet itself. But sometimes wax rings can dry out, crumble, and fail prematurely.

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