How to Replace a Toilet Flange – 7 Easy Steps

A toilet flange is an integral part of a toilet that connects the toilet’s upper part to the lowest part or inside a toilet. Due to this flange, both the toilet and flush remain connected for efficient working. As a result, a toilet remains in the place and works for a long time. Sometimes, due to some issue, a toilet flange cannot connect and perform the relevant function. In this situation, it’s necessary to change it as soon as possible. So, down in this post, we provided complete details on how to replace a toilet flange without any hurdle. Here are some steps and guides which are necessary to follow gradually.

Toilet flanges may leak if they become worn out, resulting in future damage. It would help if you learned how to replace a toilet flange using the information provided below to fix this issue. The ideas above can be applied to both dual flush toilets and corner toilets.

So, let’s now learn the ideas and steps that are necessary to change a toilet flange.

Material Required

Steps to Toilet Flange Replacement

Here are some steps which are all simple but necessary to replace and install a toilet flange efficiently.

1. Remove Toilet

The first step is essential, and many people miss it because they think it’s not an important step. The main aim is to cut out water and power supply to the toilet if there is any. On the other hand, if you use a hose for your toilet, obliterate it to avoid water leakage. Now the main parts are the tank and the bowl of the toilet; separate both of these parts and make sure that these both are away enough from the place where you are going to implement the whole procedure that either your bathroom or the small area at your office. Now remove the toilet flange as well, which you wanted to replace because of wrong working. 

Now the following process is to lift the bowl on your legs if you can carry the weight. Then stand on the cistern’s edge and hold the spot between the bowl and the cistern. As you lift the toilet out of its original position, remove the bolts as well. 

2. Cover Pipe Outflow with A Piece of Shirt

Now the next step is optional, and you can skip it, but it’s good if you follow it. Here take a piece of rag or shirt and cover the outflow of pipe. In this way, your toilet remains safe from the smell and chemicals that may be bad for your health and those who smell and work here. You can use a shirt or paper to cover the whole bathroom floor for the sake of avoiding harmful smells. 

3. Measure and Analyze Toilet Flange

It’s the following essential and versatile steps to measure toilet flange precisely without any error. To fit the new flange in the same place to avoid any incontinence, spend some extra money on the floor, or cover the working area again. Remove this flange entirely without a wait and see what the size of this flange is. On the other hand, keep in mind that if your flange is made of PVC, it’s difficult to remove it precisely. In this case, you can use a screw or knife to obliterate the parts and to avoid any hurdle which might be caused due to a half flange or parts of the flange itself.

4. Clean the Space

It’s easy and valuable to use but is an optional step that you must implement. Clean the space where you rework, i.e., where you will install a new flange and replace the flange. Wash and rinse all parts with water and a detergent. In this way, your toilets seem as if they were newly purchased.

5. Install New Flange

Installing a new flange in the same place is critical because of the necessary precautions to keep in mind. The reason is that there are some facts which are necessary to replace a flange then to know about how to install a toilet flange from the start. The flange size must be equal to the old one you removed, and then fitting the flange in the same place requires some other tools, i.e., screw and bolts, to install. Fit the bolts in the flange so that it’s easy to place and connect it with the toilet. If there is no hole enough for the old flange, then drilling the holes is the best option.

After fixing the flange, now place all fasteners and other parts as well. Use the screw to fix all parts tightly and make sure there is no flexibility after installing the flange. You can use tape around the flange to make it fit permanently. It is optional but will prevent your toilet and flange any upcoming damage due to small hurdles, sometimes joint in all cases. 

6. Install Toilet You Removed

This is the second last step in the overall procedure where you need to install the toilet simultaneously. Place the toilet over the flange to check if it fits best. If it’s flexible, you can use tape or wax to fix it on the flange. Using screws is another option. After installing, make sure all bolts, hoses, and other parts are fixed and installed perfectly. 

7. Turn On Water Supply 

Not turn on the water supply to the whole system and see if it works best. After that, examine the supply line and the toilet tank for leaks or drips if the tank fills up. Several flashes of the toilet can detect leaks as well. Replace the toilet if water is trickling out, or call your local plumber.

Note: If you are not expert enough in plumbing, you can call a professional plumber to avoid any big trouble.

Final Verdicts

Above is a complete guide on replacing a toilet flange, which is an easy but time-consuming procedure. Follow these steps smoothly and enjoy your toilet as it’s new because of a toilet flange, which is essential for running a toilet for a long time. These steps are almost similar for all types of toilets. However, there are some exceptions in the composite toilet, which is small. For more guides about toilet plumbing, could you read our latest blogs?