A flange and its wax seal will often last the life of the toilet, 20 or 30 years, without needing to be changed.
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.
If your toilet is creaking or wobbling, you may need to replace the flange. For a plumber, replacing a toilet flange is a quick and easy job. Replacing a toilet flange costs $145 to $165 on average.
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.
To fix this issue, it is crucial to follow proper installation procedures. This includes ensuring that the flange faces are parallel and in contact with each other, using the appropriate gasket material, tightening the bolts in the correct sequence and torque, and applying a suitable sealant or lubricant.
Water Around the Toilet Base
The first sign of a bad toilet ring is water forming around the base of the toilet. To test that a bad seal is the problem, grab a couple of towels and wipe up the water. Go on with your day, checking periodically to see if the water has returned.
Plumber labor costs $75 to $150 per hour, and a simple toilet flange replacement takes 1 to 2 hours to remove the toilet, detach and replace the old flange, install a new wax seal, and reseat the toilet properly.
Toilet-flange types include open and closed in 3-inch to 4-inch sizes. The choice of toilet flange depends on the material of the DWV pipe it is connected to. If you have a PVC pipe connection, you should install a PVC closet flange. A cast-iron connection will require a cast iron toilet flange.
Remove the toilet flange by unscrewing it from the floor. If the screws are in good condition, save them. You may need to pry out pieces of the old flange with a chisel and hammer. If the flange is stubborn, you can cut it into pieces with a Dremel tool.
Replacing a Broken Toilet Flange
Scrape off the old wax on the drain pipe and toilet with a putty knife. Unscrew the toilet flange and remove it. Put the new flange in the drain pipe and screw it into the subfloor. Reverse the steps to replace the toilet and turn the water on.
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.
Causes of Toilet Flange Leaks
Cracked or Broken Flange: Years of wear and tear or excessive pressure can lead to cracks or breaks in the flange, causing leaks.
But, the rule of thumb is to replace your toilet every 25 years, due to damage and regular wear and tear. If you have an older toilet, you should consider newer model toilets as they will be more efficient in conserving water and utility costs.
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.
How much does a Toilet Flange cost? A typical price for a Toilet Flange is $15 but can range from approximately $4.74 to $69.
Measure your nipple in millimeters at the widest part (typically the base). Measure both breasts as you may need two different sizes. Most moms find that adding 0-3 mm to their nipple size provides the most comfortable and effective flange size.
Toilet manufacturers have weighed in on this discussion to recommend that you place tiles beneath the toilet flange. What they recommend is to put the flange on top of the tile, ensuring that the bottom of the flange touches the surface of the tile.
Wobbly toilet: If your toilet rocks back and forth or feels unstable when you sit on it, this could mean the flange isn't holding the fixture down securely. The instability can further damage the flange and cause leaks.
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.
The wax ring is the seal between your toilet and the sewer pipe. It's essential to have a good seal so that waste and water would not leak from the base of your toilet. If your toilet is leaking, the wax ring likely needs to be replaced. On average, it costs between $200 and $250 to replace a toilet wax ring.
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.
Plunging can usually only loosen clogs that are close to the bowel. What's more, if you're too vigorous with your plunging, you might mess dirty toilet water out of the bowel. Besides this, too much plunging can also damage the wax ring at the base of your toilet.