Because it connects toilet bowl straight to the inner installation pipes under the floor, the toilet flange is critical to the overall drainage system. On the other hand, many people are unsure whether the toilet flange should flush with the bottom or with the top of the floor. As a result, with this article, we want to clear things up for you.
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Should the toilet flange be flush with the floor or on top of the tile?
The toilet flange should be attached to the tiles directly. Make sure the bottom of the flange is flat with the bathroom floor tile. Otherwise, problems with leakage and drainage may emerge. As a consequence, wax rings are usually used to keep the toilet bowl firmly attached to the toilet flange.
If you’ve never done this before, installing a toilet flange might be challenging. Because the toilet flange instantly connects the toilet bowl to the subsurface plumbing.
As a consequence, for the toilet bowl to be correctly fastened, the toilet flange must be positioned on the tile top. As a consequence, we strongly advise you to read our article before tackling this tough task, as we have aimed to simplify it into easy steps.
Is tiling the toilet flange possible?
No, you cannot flush toilet flange with tile due to the increased risk of water overflowing. The thing that might happen in your new bathroom is a leak.
If the toilet flange is flush using the tile, drainage will be a problem. Because the toilet bowl is directly connected to the toilet flange, which is connected to the inner pipes under the tile, there is a risk of leakage.
In addition, the wax ring will have an air gap, which will contribute to leakage.
Is it required that the toilet flange be flush with the floor?
When installing the toilet flange, it must be level with the floor. Because leakage will occur if the flange is set a bit even or lower flush with the floor.
In reality, the flange’s bottom piece should be placed on the tile top to provide a leak-free drainage connection.
Otherwise, the wax ring and the flange-to-toilet-bowl connection point would be overwhelmed. As a result, the toilet flange must be flush with the floor, and the wax rings must be entirely sealed.
How high should the toilet flange be above the floor?
Make sure the flange height is correct before putting the commode. You may measure the toilet flange height right from the floor after the toilet is removed.
The flange is usually 1/3 or 1/4 inches high from the finished floor. In this height range, almost any waxed ring will do as a seal.
This prevents leaks by allowing water to flow from the bowl to the pipes via the flange. There will be no air pockets in the wax ring, and it will last a long time.
What if the toilet flange rises above the floor level?
You only have two options if your toilet flange is high enough from the ground:
Perform tiles replacement and level them with the flange as follows:
Determine if your ground/floor is made from concrete or vinyl before beginning this operation. Insert a support board behind the tiles around the flange to make it level with the floor.
If you have a little height problem, you may use grout to help prevent the toilet from leaking. However, since the grout will solidify to a particular thickness, make sure you have enough supporting materials to hold the toilet’s weight.
Another option is to make users out of flooring materials so that the toilet can be fitted correctly.
You may also cut the pipe:
the top piece of the pipe can be cut. However, you must first remove the flange before you can access the pipe.
Reduce the length until the pipe is flush with the floor. After that, you must perform flange replacement and precisely position a new flange on the bathroom floor, keep it evenly, and on the tile top.
How do you install a toilet flange?
Because installing a toilet flange is a challenging DIY project, you’ll need to follow specific instructions. You will be able to complete your installation without any problems if you follow our instructions:
The toilet tank has to be emptied:
To begin, drain the whole contents of your toilet tank, which effectively means emptying it.
Cover the outflow pipe:
When changing the flange, cover the outflow pipe in old clothes or a towel to prevent the pipe from emitting a bad odor.
Take off the old flange:
If your previous flange is wax-sealed, scrape it off using a paint scraper. If the wax is plastic, however, expert assistance is required since removing the plastic wax is tough. You’ll need to remove your previous flange once you’ve removed the old wax.
Secure the new flange:
To secure the new flange, drill holes right into the tiles. Six holes are common on a flange, so you may need to drill six holes in your tiles as well. The holes must then be secured with screws and ensured to be tight and durable.
Apply the wax:
Now you must use the wax ring. The dimension of the wax ring is also affected by the size of your new flange.
Set up the toilet:
The last stage is a bit more difficult, and you must use care while handling the toilet. You must lower the toilet with caution and check that it is in the appropriate position. The toilet will be fastened by the screw along with the wax when you apply pressure. All of the bolts must be aligned and any leaks must be checked.
How can you know what flange height your toilet needs?
The proper toilet flange height from the new tiles or flooring is 1/4 inches. However, one factor to consider is that many bathroom floors are not the same height on both sides.
As a consequence, the height of the flange from the floor varies depending on which side of the floor it is on.
The toilet flange must be inspected and measured high above the floor with the bowl lifted. The completed surface should be 1/3 or 1/4 inch higher than the flange height. It permits practically waxed rings to be used while still ensuring a firm seal.
Is a toilet flange that is lower than the floor possible?
No, your toilet flange must be even or level with the floor to prevent drainage problems. Leaking is possible since the flange connects the toilet bowl straight to the inner pipe.
The wax ring may get air gap issues, which is the most common source of leaks.
What if the toilet flange isn’t quite level?
When the toilet flange is not even, it might damage the pipe and can be the source of drainage problems. Furthermore, the leaking pipes will cause water to spill over the floor. The wax ring can leak from the flange straight to the toilet bowl connection point.
How should a tile be trimmed around a toilet flange?
A tile nipper may be used to remove the tile around the toilet flange. However, you must measure the tile that surrounds the toilet flange in length and width. Remove the little fragments of tile from around the toilet flange using a tile nipple.
Conclusion
When installing the toilet flange, it must be even or level with the tile. Also, ensure that the bottom half of the flange is flush with the floor. Because drainage concerns emerge if the flange is positioned lower or unevenly to the floor, resulting in water leaks.