Uneven Toilet Flange help needed

Hello everyone. Here is what's going on. I have virtually no plumbing experience, but with my google fu being strong, I have conquered many home improvement projects. Anyway, I had my bathroom remodeled back in 2006. The contractor grouted around the base of the toilet instead of using caulk. Recently I noticed that the grout started to crack. The bolts were a little loose and the toilet wobbled a little from side to side. I pulled up the toilet to chip away the grout before I caulked the base and while doing so, i noticed it was damp on the sides of the toilet flange. I also noticed that the flange was not level with the floor. The front of the flange is level with the floor but the rear sits maybe a 1/2 inch lower than floor level. I'm going to get a new wax ring with the plastic piece installed already, I was just curious if I should use a toilet flange extension before setting down the new wax ring. If I do, the rear will probably be even with the floor but the front will definitely sit above the floor. Just wondering what the professionals think I should do. Thank you!

Bummer, Well there are a few things you could try...

Try and see if there is any play in the flange, undo the screws holding it down and see if you can get it to lift a little, If so then I would just leave the flange un secured to the floor ( by the screws ) and use the mounting bolts to pull the flange into the Toilet with a new wax ring.

is there tile or such under the flange face ? maybe it just needs some TLC to get it level .

Regardless, if the gap is only 1/4 inch or so ( i know you said 1/2 but it looks to be less ) then I wouldnt stress it too much as the wax ring will still seal it fine.. it will just wear through sooner.

You COULD, use a half of an abs flange extension, just make sure its glued well and that you file it to be in level with the high end of the flange and has no sharp edges that would allow for the seal to wear prematurely, but honestlly O would just install the Toilet as is and make sure its level..

hope this helps.

LiQuId said:

Bummer, Well there are a few things you could try...

Try and see if there is any play in the flange, undo the screws holding it down and see if you can get it to lift a little, If so then I would just leave the flange un secured to the floor ( by the screws ) and use the mounting bolts to pull the flange into the Toilet with a new wax ring.

is there tile or such under the flange face ? maybe it just needs some TLC to get it level .

Regardless, if the gap is only 1/4 inch or so ( i know you said 1/2 but it looks to be less ) then I wouldnt stress it too much as the wax ring will still seal it fine.. it will just wear through sooner.

You COULD, use a half of an abs flange extension, just make sure its glued well and that you file it to be in level with the high end of the flange and has no sharp edges that would allow for the seal to wear prematurely, but honestlly O would just install the Toilet as is and make sure its level..

hope this helps.

Click to expand...

i def would not remove the screws from the flange and atempt to pull the flange to the toilet with the toilet bolts.i bet there are no screws and the flange wont budge, looks to be a lead joint. if it dose move then it needs to be replaced or at least new oakum and pour new joint, and you can make it level. otherwise i agree w liquid, get a max wax ring and set the toilet as is should b fine.

thank you for the responses. The pipe won't budge at all, it is firmly in place. I'm going to replace the wax gasket with one of max thickness now. If the seal isn't fitted correctly, will it only leak when flushing the toilet? Thanks

Not a big deal, put the toilet on, also be sure to use a washer and nut to hold the bolts to the flange. then again washes/nut to hold toilet down, that handyman crap piss's me off

Toilet is fixed, no leaks! I'm sure I was just being paranoid, but with all the crap I have to get done at the moment, i just wanted to make sure this job was done right. Thank you for your help gentleman! Now all I have to do is caulk the base and I'll be completely done...

Something that no one mention when resetting a toilet; you should set the toilet in place with out the wax seal and make sure it sits firmly on the floor with out rocking. Tile floors are notorius for being uneven. Even a little rocking will cause problems later. shim it where needed ,then set the wax.

You already set it so just check for any gaps around the base and shim it before you caulk it.

yes david, i use those abs bagged p-trap washers to shim to toilet, cut the in half a set as needed..

Mr_David said:

Something that no one mention when resetting a toilet; you should set the toilet in place with out the wax seal and make sure it sits firmly on the floor with out rocking. Tile floors are notorius for being uneven. Even a little rocking will cause problems later. shim it where needed ,then set the wax.

You already set it so just check for any gaps around the base and shim it before you caulk it.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. If I have another problem with the toilet (hopefully I won't) I will do what you said first. I'm pretty sure it was level though because when the bolts on either side of the toilet came loose and the grout was initially messed up, the toilet only slid from side to side, there was no rocking of it that would hint towards an uneven floor. Again, thank you for the tip.

I forget often about lead flanges, largely here they are ABS, in houses... If a condo then yes they would be lead ..