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.
the flange should be installed on the top of the finished floor (tile, vinyl, wood). as far as acceptable range, too high by even a little bit will prevent the toilet from setting on the floor (it will rock). the lower the flange, the thicker your wax ring or rings will need to be.
Place the Wax Ring and Toilet
If the toilet's floor flange height is slightly less than 1/4 inch above the flooring, you can use an extra-thick wax ring to make up the difference.
The goal is for the flange to be flush with the floor, so the toilet will sit securely and the wax ring will form a tight seal.
As long as the toilet covers it so you won't see it and the flange has support underneath it you will be fine. Make sure the flange is screwed down so that it is solid.
Pay attention to flange height
If you're unable to install the flange on top of the finished floor, you can use spacers that mount on top of the existing flange.
Position the new toilet wax ring on top of the toilet flange, ensuring it is centered. Want to know more about choosing the correct wax ring size, crucial installation tips, and other frequently asked questions? Check out our Oatey 101: Wax Rings blog.
Reasons to Caulk Around a Toilet
Moisture Prevention: Without caulk around the toilet base, external water can seep under the toilet, leading to floor and subfloor damage over time. This is especially important in bathrooms with wooden floors, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot and structural issues.
A thicker wax ring is used when the flange has already been set on the subfloor and is flush with the tile instead of sitting on top of it. This will help make up the height difference.
If you see water pooling on the floor, leaking from the tank bolts, or around the base, it's time to replace the gasket and hardware. A worn tank-to-bowl gasket or loose bolts usually cause this leak. Cleaning chemicals, bacteria, hard water, city or well water, can all break down these parts over time.
In a study published Thursday in the American Journal of Infection Control, researchers concluded microscopic viral particles spread to the floor and nearby restroom surfaces when a person flushes the toilet, regardless of whether the lid is up or down.
Toilet tank braces can be adjusted to fit the gap between your tank and wall. Clipped on back edge of tank, under lid, braces are practically invisible when installed. Anchor your tanks with Secure-A-Tank to protect against costly leaks and repairs.
If the pipe has a 4-inch inside diameter:
This toilet flange is designed to glue on the inside of the pipe or expand inside the pipe. Leave the old toilet flange in place and glue on the new one at the correct elevation for the floor, if it's plastic.
Plunging down too hard
A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl.
Today the method most commonly used by plumbers to fix a toilet pan to the floor is with clear sanitary grade silicone.
This gives the new wax ring a good clean surface to seal against. I also like to put the wax ring on the flange, then lower the toilet onto it, instead of putting the wax ring on the toilet first. I also always lock the mounting bolts onto the flange with some washers and thin hex nuts, you can use brass or stainless.
Cast Iron Toilet Flanges
These flanges install on the outside of either 3" or 4" pipe and can be used without needing access from below. To install an Oatey Cast Iron Closet Flange: Place it over the pipe so the gasket secures to the pipe. Tighten the integrated fasteners to the pipe to secure the closet flange.
PVC flange, the most common type of flange, simply lift it from the outflow pipe. If the flange is metal or glued to the drain pipe and cannot lift out once the bolts are removed, call a licensed plumber to remove it for you.
Wax Toilet Seals: Keeping with Tradition
For years, wax rings have been plumbers' go-to options for making these types of toilet repairs.
Because stacking wax rings requires joining two separate pieces, you create gaps where sewage byproducts can escape. This is due to the rings not fully molding to form one solid new piece.
If the toilet continues to leak at the base when flushed, it might not be bolted tightly to the floor. Look at the base of the toilet, and you'll see two tee bolts, which might be covered with caps. If the wax ring under these bolts doesn't form a water-tight seal, the toilet will leak from the base when you flush it.