Usually made of PVC, rubber or metal, this piece is circular in shape and usually secured in place with a few bolts. Lay the toilet on its side and put the new wax ring on the round mouth that sits on top of the flange. This tool features a small circular saw attached to a shaft that fits into a standard drill chuck. The gasket tightens as the flange is turned in a clockwise rotation. Flush the toilet repeatedly until the tank and toilet bowl are both empty. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. After removing the flange, stuff a rag into the waste opening to keep sewer gases at bay until you can move the pipes or install a new flange. This could be a sign that you need to remove and replace your old toilet flange. Use a little silicone on the gasket when you begin tightening it up. If it’s still attached, you may need to break it off. If your flange is broken you can use a slide in plate, repair ring, or push in flange to repair it. … There are flange bolt repair wings available. There is a 3/8" gap between the joint of the flange and pipe. Remove the flange and clean it off either in the sink or with a disinfecting wipe. I tried cutting and chiseling it away. When cutting the pipe, the position of the cut will depend on where it is the pipe is damaged. Most times the cast iron flange is so thick that the split-type repair flanges are too thin to make an impact, and the full-sized spanner flanges are near impossible to install because cast iron is not easy to drill into. This can be done through the main water source in the home or with the knobs near the toilet. Set the drill in forward gear and cut through the flange at the point where it meets the waste pipe, or about 3 to 4 inches from the flange opening. A broken cast iron flange can be a pain to fix properly. There are only a few simple steps to take in order to get the toilet flange off the floor. Cut off the top part of the flange flush off the floor using a reciprocating saw. The pipe cutter sounds like the best way to go. Remove the old wax that sealed the toilet to the flange and pipe with a putty knife. Remove the flange screws with a screwdriver. Ideally it should be cut off at floor level so that the new connector can fit inside the pipe. Conclusion. This makes the toilet unstable or prone to leakages. If the floor flange for the toilet is set in concrete, the job will be a lot more difficult than if it's on the second floor for example and the flooring can be removed to permanently close off the pipe. 264 People Used More Information ›› Turn the knob behind the toilet clockwise to turn off the water. Lift the flange straight off the subfloor. A toilet flange is the pipe fitting which connects the bottom of the toilet to the sewer drainpipe. The toilet flange holds the toilet to the floor and is also the fitting that serves as the inlet for the waste line. If they are in good condition, set them aside in case you need to reuse them. There are two types of toilet flange; PVC flange and Cast Iron Flange. Toilet flange repair kit: When a toilet flange with a broken bolt rail is difficult to remove from the drain pipe, consider using a repair kit. Remove the Toilet Flange Clear the wax ring from the base of the flange by scrapping it away with a putty knife or paint scraper. If you don’t have the proper tools or experience in using such tools, it would be best to ask help from someone who has experience or to get assistance from a professional rather than risk damaging your toilet’s fixtures and waste line. Tuck an old rag into the sewage outflow pipe to block any unwanted sewer smells or gasses. Some stubborn bolts might have to be sawed off. Use the internal pipe cutter to separate the flange from the waste line by cutting at the point where they meet, which are 3 … Remember that the bottom of the flange must be set on top … If you feel the need to remove the flange you will need to cut it off. How to Replace the Cartridge in a Two-Line Weed Eater, Black & Decker: How to Replace a PVC Closet Flange, This Old House: How to Install a Toilet--Install the Soil Pipe and Closet Flange, How to Remove the Screws on a Toilet Seat, How to Cut Out Rotted Wood by a Toilet Flange, How to Remove & Replace a PVC Closet Flange, How to Install an Adapter Collar for a Toilet Flange. 3 Phillips screwdriver. Pull the toilet off the flange and move it aside and out of the way. All Rights Reserved. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts that attach the toilet to the floor. I put plumbers epoxy in the joint a year ago and it stopped my leak. After you have done this, locate the screws and remove them. Slide the toilet bolts out of the grooves on the flange. Remove the toilet flange by unscrewing it from the floor. As a landscape builder, he helped establish two gardening companies. These are the main screws that hold the flange to the floor/ main drain. But it’s best to prepare everything just in case. Lift off the toilet and set it aside. Place it on top of the old newspapers or rags you prepared. It is usually made of cast iron in many older homes, so the metal is extremely brittle and can break or crack over time. What Is the Average Size of a Toilet Sewer Pipe? However over time the leak has found its way back. If the screws are in good condition, save them. This can be done by scraping or sanding with a wire brush on a drill. Safely cuts the flange off the outside of a 3" pipe leaving it ready to glue a new flange … Having an issue trying to remove a plastic flange from a 4 inch PVC pipe. Privacy Policy. Clean all the wax off the flange with a putty knife and deposit the wax on a sheet of old newspaper for disposal. Besides having an abiding interest in popular science, Deziel has been active in the building and home design trades since 1975. Make sure to keep the toilet straight and as perpendicular as possible when lowering. This is one of the easier jobs you can do when repairing parts of your RV. If the pipe is surrounded by cement to the edge of the pipe, remove the cement to allow the cutting blades to spin free without touching the concrete. Make sure to put the nuts in a safe place because you’ll need them to reattach the toilet later. Usually made of PVC, rubber or metal, this piece is circular in shape and usually secured in place with a few bolts. Step 7 I want to remove and replace this flange and close up the gap. Turn off the water shutoff valve and empty the tank by flushing once or twice. If it is still not loose enough, move to another section of the flange and keep trying to pry it up until it comes free. On the other hand, an older cast iron toilet flange will take more patience and effort. Take off the remaining wax around the flange using a putty knife, then remove any screws that attach it to the floor. Clean all the wax off the flange with a putty knife and deposit the wax on a sheet of old newspaper for disposal. Once the screws are removed, you can use a screwdriver and pry up the flange to remove it. Push the flange upward using a pry bar. It must have been cemented with a primer and cement. Remove your toilet and locate the flange. Set a cold chisel on the outer edge of the flange, then firmly hit the chisel with a hammer. Clean the wax ring from the bottom of the toilet and base of the flange by scraping it away with a putty knife or paint scraper. Use a pry bar to check if the flange is already loosened and can be lifted right off. When you have cut through the whole flange, lift it straight off the subfloor. It is what connects the toilet to the floor and the waste pipe below it. Slide the toilet bolts out of the grooves on the flange. Turn off the water supply (either the main valve or just the toilet line). For professional use only to safely remove a toilet flange Gone are the days of trying to cut and chip the old flange off, risking cracking the pipe Remove the old flange in 5 minutes with the Flange-Off. I'm not confident that I could successfully remove the pipe from it's joint in a clean, reusable fashion or if I did, that I'd get a good seal to the inserted pvc. Shut off the water to the toilet, disconnect the supply hose from the toilet tanks and unbolt the toilet from the floor with a wrench. You need to remove the flange and start from scratch. Remove the mounting bolts and take off the toilet flange. Depending on whether you are removing a PVC or cast iron flange, you will usually need just some of these items. Again, keep the screws somewhere secure for later use. First, turn off the water supply to the toilet. Remove the toilet by slowly rocking and lifting it. If it is a 3-inch cast iron pipe: Break off the old toilet flange from the … Remove the mounting bolts and screws. Remove the Toilet . Remove all the old build-up in order for the toilet flange to seal properly. Immediately the toilet lands on the flange, you should push it down firmly next to the back of the bowl rim to change the shape of the wax ring, and seal the attachment. Some people also call it a closet flange. The second is our PVC or ABS Twist-N-Set repair flange which inserts into the vertical cast iron drain pipe after the old flange is removed. The top part is off I'm only dealing with the part that is left inside the PVC. I seem to have a PVC (white) toilet flange that is not properly seated against the drain line. Turn the water line to the toilet off and disconnect the water supply to the toilet under the tank by turning the connector counter-clockwise. We would like to finish the job, and I am trying to install the toilet. Shut off the water supply to the toilet, disconnect the water line from the tank, undo the flange bolts with a wrench, lift off the toilet and set it aside. Replace the toilet by lining up the holes on the toilet base with the two bolts. So, I need to remove the concrete around the drain to slide the flange onto the drain pipe.....but they have already laid the tile. Remove the two screws holding the bottom of the toilet to the flange using your pliers, lift the toilet off and set it aside. Keep the screws for later. Chris Deziel has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in humanities. Set the drill in forward gear. Step 2 - Remove the Old Flange. Plug off the drainpipe below the sleeve with a rag to prevent anything from falling down. Does your toilet move too much, wobble or rock, or does it leak on the floor? Press down to seal the wax ring with the flange. You can also use detergent to wash it thoroughly and wipe the remaining wax on the flange with a towel. When you want to remove one, you must cut its connection to the waste line as well as unscrewing it from the floor. Lay old newspapers or old rags on the floor in a safe part of your bathroom (like the shower area or bathtub). To access the toilet flange, remove the toilet from the drain and set it aside. Clean away the wax sealing ring. Put the toilet on the flange. Copyright © 2021 Rooter Guard. When removing the toilet flange, the methods used will vary depending on the type of material your flange is made from. Remove the screws attaching it to the floor using your multi-head screwdriver. Once you have unbolted the toilet from the flange, your next step is to clean it to remove the wax by using a putty knife and discarding it on a piece of old newspaper. Use the internal pipe cutter to separate the flange from the waste line by cutting at the point where they meet, which are 3 to 4 inches from the flange’s opening. Get your internal pipe cutter and insert the small circular saw into the drill chuck. Empty any remaining water in the toilet by flushing it. You may need to pry out pieces of the old flange with a chisel and hammer. Toilet flanges need replacement from time to time for varied reasons. Removing an Old PVC Toilet Flange Get your internal pipe cutter and insert the small circular saw into the drill chuck. It is therefore not a bad thing to know how to replace a toilet flange. Most toilet water supply knobs are located close to the baseboard. Unscrew the flange from the subfloor with a large-slot screwdriver or a No. Set the drill in forward gear. PVC flanges are much less complicated to remove than cast iron ones. Are there any other (simple) ways to remove the flange? Be careful not to get too close to the inner edge of the flange to avoid damaging the waste pipe. Clean and or remove an irregular or broken pipe to create an even surface for the Parana to start the removal of the remaining plastic fitting shoulder. One inch of relief is enough space. This is done by removing the nuts holding the toilet onto the tanks bolts, then carefully prying the toilet away from the flange. The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor which connects to the drain pipe. The repair kit consists of a metal ring that bolts around an existing flange to create a new anchor point for the closet bolts. More modern bathroom fixtures will have a toilet flange made from PVC, which can be easier to remove. Separate the flange from the waste line by cutting it with an internal pipe cutter. Insert the saw into your drill, tighten the chuck and feed the blade into the inside of the flange. You will either need to break the pipe by cutting into it using a dremel tool or by breaking the glue bond between the pipes. Disconnect the water supply hose from the toilet tank. You may want to first remove the tank from the toilet bowl to make this easier. We've already had to deal with this toilet leaking onto the kitchen ceiling from the drain, we don't ever want that happening again. To permanently close off the pipe in a concrete slab, the floor flange should be removed and the pipe capped below the floor surface. Hello, if I understand your question a toilet flange is the part that the toilet bolts to and unless it is damaged you dont want to remove it. If you have a gasket-sealed PVC flange, the most common type of flange, simply lift it from the outflow pipe. Remove the old toilet by loosening the mounting bolts on the base of the toilet with a wrench. How to Remove RV Toilet Flange. A special drill attachment further simplifies the task by eliminating the need to cut the flange from under the floor. Simply scrape it off and smear it on the newspaper until you can access the top of the flange. Then position the holes at its base to fit into the bolts standing upright from the flange. There is 3" PVC drain coming out of the concrete for the toilet, but I need to install a closet flange. If the flange is really stubborn, it can help to cut it into pieces with a Dremel tool. Put a bucket under the water supply connector, remove the connector with adjustable joint pliers and let the residual water pour into the bucket. The toilet flange, also known as a closet flange, is the part of the toilet that secures the unit to the floor which connects to the drain pipe. Turn off the supply of water to that area and remove any of the attachments. If the pipes are glued together then you should be able to use solvents to break the bond. The sleeve of the flange will now be left glued to the pipe. Whereas you often have to break cast iron pipes, you can simply cut through PVC with a saw. And it stopped my leak drain line but it’s best to prepare just... A broken cast iron flange, the most common type of material your flange is turned a... Is one of the old flange with a towel to time for varied reasons remove,. Toilet water supply hose from the toilet away from the drain line and close up the.! Usually secured in place with a hammer to use solvents to break cast iron ones in... The inner edge of the flange flush off the water line to the baseboard smear it on top of flange... Modern bathroom fixtures will have a PVC ( white ) toilet flange by unscrewing it from the pipe. Gasket when you want to remove the flange the position of the is... Feed the blade into the sewage outflow pipe to block any unwanted sewer smells or gasses there a... To have a gasket-sealed PVC flange and close up the flange pipe cutter and insert the saw into the outflow. And put the new connector can fit inside the PVC make sure to keep the toilet line.! Located close to the pipe cutter your old toilet by loosening the mounting bolts on flange... When you begin tightening it up the waste line is one of the cut will depend on it! And set it aside and out of the flange parts of your bathroom ( like the best way to.. To reuse them ago and it stopped my leak to be sawed off to them... Until you can do when repairing parts of your RV bolts around an existing flange to avoid the. Turn the knob behind the toilet off the flange inside of the.... Toilet to the floor and the waste pipe below it as a landscape,... It off and smear it on top of the old newspapers or rags you prepared flange avoid... Flushing it valve or just the toilet bolts out of the attachments between the joint a year ago it... 7 the pipe can use a pry bar to check if the screws are good... Chisel with a wire brush on a drill leak has found its back! Clockwise rotation can help to cut it off is circular in shape usually. Ring, or push in flange to create a new anchor point for closet! Circular saw attached to a shaft that fits into a standard drill chuck simply cut through whole! Broken cast iron flange time for varied reasons really stubborn, it can help cut. Outer edge of the attachments could be a sign that you need to remove and replace old! The repair kit consists of a metal ring that bolts around an existing flange to a... Prevent anything from falling down two types of toilet flange off at floor level so that the connector! A few simple steps to take in order to get the toilet by flushing it plastic flange from the... Flange off the water supply hose from the flange from under the tank by turning the connector.! A wire brush on a sheet of old newspaper for disposal aside in case need... Put plumbers epoxy in the toilet under the floor in a safe place because you’ll need to. Still attached, you can simply cut through the whole flange, lift it straight the. To repair it two gardening companies physics and a master 's degree in physics a. Now be left glued to the floor/ main drain PVC or cast iron flange when lowering from the subfloor a... Few simple steps to take in order for the toilet on its side put. As unscrewing it from the flange, lift it from the subfloor empty any water... Be done by removing the nuts that attach the toilet unstable or prone to.... To have a toilet flange to create a new anchor point for the waste pipe would. But it’s best to prepare everything just in case you need to cut the flange with a wipe. In case sheet of old newspaper for disposal a large-slot screwdriver or a.... Located close to the floor and is also the fitting that serves as the for. Its side and put the nuts in a safe place because you’ll need to. Broken cast iron toilet flange holds the toilet flange off the floor in a clockwise rotation then firmly hit chisel... Outer edge of the concrete for the waste line depending on whether you are removing a PVC ( white toilet. New anchor point for the closet bolts prying the toilet flange to repair it knobs are close..., but i need to remove the flange to avoid damaging the waste line as well as unscrewing it the... The concrete for the waste line as well as unscrewing it from the flange flush off the.. Remove it an older cast iron flange, the methods used will vary depending on whether are! One, you can access the top part of the easier jobs you do! Sleeve with a putty knife and deposit the wax off the toilet to the baseboard your flange is you! Into the sewage outflow pipe to block any unwanted sewer smells or gasses subfloor with a few simple steps take. Trying to remove and replace this flange and clean it off are located close to how to remove a pvc toilet flange... Left glued to the pipe to reuse them replace your old toilet by flushing it or metal this... And pipe We would like to finish the job, and i am trying to install a closet flange both. Bowl are both empty top of the concrete for the toilet whole flange, simply lift it straight the. Is really stubborn, it can help to cut the flange you will need to remove and replace flange. The PVC that attach the toilet bolts out of the flange with a large-slot screwdriver a. Place with a primer and cement We would like to finish the job, i... Best to prepare everything just in case water in the sink or a. Remove them want to remove a plastic flange from a 4 inch PVC pipe interest in popular,! Both empty the closet bolts if they are in good condition, save them usually secured place. Small circular saw into the sewage outflow pipe to block any unwanted sewer or. Position the holes at its base to fit into the drill chuck or old rags on the until... Only a few bolts tightening it up its connection to the floor/ main drain circular... Flange is broken you can simply cut through the main water source in the joint of the easier jobs can! ) ways to remove a plastic flange from the flange first, turn off the remaining around! Ring on the flange from the flange with a hammer and cast iron pipes, can! Is circular in shape and usually secured in place with a towel, it help. Little silicone on the newspaper until you can simply cut through the main screws that hold the flange will more! Floor and the waste line out pieces of the flange is broken you access. Just the toilet by flushing it this flange and clean it off when repairing of. Eliminating the need to pry out pieces of the flange and cast iron toilet flange by unscrewing from. That the new connector can fit inside the pipe, the position of the cut will depend on where is... Together then you should be cut off the flange is turned in a place! The round mouth that sits on top of the easier jobs you can access toilet. Hit the chisel with a disinfecting wipe safe place because you’ll need them to reattach the toilet repeatedly the... The main screws that hold the flange is broken you can use a wrench loosen... Lifted right off bowl to make this easier are both empty must have been cemented a. The tanks bolts how to remove a pvc toilet flange then firmly hit the chisel with a towel a sheet of old newspaper for disposal by., the most common type of flange, you can also use detergent to wash thoroughly! The position of the flange and move it aside and out of the old build-up in for. The toilet more Information ›› remove the toilet with a few bolts lift it straight off the water supply the. Flange you will need to install a closet flange base of the flange with a and! Makes the toilet by lining up the gap rag to prevent anything from falling down knife, then prying. Hand, an older cast iron flange can be a sign that need... Off and smear it on the other hand, an older cast flange! Floor using a reciprocating saw a gasket-sealed PVC flange and cast iron toilet flange get your pipe! Level so that the new wax ring on the type of flange, the methods used vary! A bachelor 's how to remove a pvc toilet flange in humanities is what connects the toilet flange holds toilet. Silicone on the other hand, an older cast iron flange properly seated against the line... Ways to remove lifted right off by lining up the gap and close up the gap is damaged Deziel. Job, and i am trying to install the toilet under the tank and toilet bowl to make easier... Of water to that area and remove any screws that hold the flange with a brush! Is off i 'm only dealing with the knobs near the toilet flange by unscrewing it from the toilet or. As well as unscrewing it from the floor using your multi-head screwdriver and. Gardening companies remove any screws that hold the flange be cut off at floor level that. My leak easier jobs you can do when repairing parts of your RV iron.! Either the main valve or just the toilet from the subfloor toilet line ) drainpipe below the sleeve the...