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.
The correct height for a toilet flange is about 1/4 inch above the floor, which should be finished.
I would agree with caulking with silicon around the base to the tile. It secures the base of the toilet to the tile. Lots of toilet flanges are not strong enough to prevent rocking from a heavy user. Silicon is a little bit harder to remove, but well worth having a toilet not rock and breaking its wax ring seal.
The answer is, in most cases, that you should tile under the toilet flange and toilet tank. This allows for the toilet flange to be secured with the use of bolts. Only in a minority of use cases does the flange go beneath the tiles.
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.
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.
If the flange is too high, you can carefully trim it to the correct height. This can be done using a hacksaw or an angle grinder.
Roughing in a toilet flange involves measuring for its location from the finished wall, cutting the hole for the toilet flange, and fastening the flange to the floor. The standard location of the center of the flange is a minimum of 12 in. from any finished wall.
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.
First, Remove the Bathroom Toilet and Other Fixtures
Once the flooring is installed, the toilet and other fixtures will be placed back on top of it.
Shim the Toilet
This is a common issue with toilets installed over a tile floor. Filling voids between the bowl and the floor can eliminate the rocking toilet problem. Plastic toilet shims are available at hardware stores and home centers for just this reason.
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.
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.
Wax-free Toilet Seals: The New Kid on the Block
For plumbers interested in a mess-free option, wax-free toilet seals check this box. These seals affix to the toilet using a strong adhesive. There's no wrangling the ring in into place. It's a straightforward method of keeping your toilet base leak free.
Use Tapcon anchors or a similar type of masonry/concrete screw to fasten the toilet flange to the concrete slab. If using a plastic flange ring, be careful not to crack the ring by screwing the anchors in too far. With the toilet flange in place, you are ready to install the toilet with a new wax ring.
It's an a Push Tite gasketed closet flange. Simply push this down into the old closet flange and secure it to the wood subfloor with galvanized or stainless steel screws.
The most common culprit for a loose toilet is the flange or flange bolts. Looking from the front of the toilet, check the flange bolts which are situated on each side of the toilet. If the bolts are loose, use a pair of pliers to carefully tighten the bolts until they are snug.
Taking after the name “water closet,” the traditional name for a toilet, closet flanges are typically made of PVC, rubber, copper, brass, stainless steel or metal and can be secured in place with bolts or screws.
International building codes require that a fixture shall be made watertight where it comes in contact with the wall or floor. One way of making sure this code is adhered to is by caulking around the toilet.
Here's why flooring should come first: It creates a seamless appearance without visible gaps. Flooring beneath the toilet reduces the risk of leaks and prevents water damage to the subflooring. This method makes future toilet replacements easier.