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noredr2 · Jun 29, 2008, 05:43 PM

In the process of redoing basement bathroom (new tile, new sink, etc) and when I took off the toilet, the old closet bolts sheared off - nice and rusty. Those old bolts were put right into the concrete. I have everything cleaned up to put in a new closet flange (4" twist-n-set), but it turns out the drain pipe is not perpendicular to the concrete. It's a few degrees off so the closet flange won't sit flush with the floor when it's tightened.

I've been given several different solutions (new closet bolts anchored into concrete, attach the flange tight but not quite flush) but am wondering what others think. When I take the rubber gasket off the flange, it will sit flush, so part of me is wondering if there's something else that could be used to create a seal between the flange and pipe. Then I would just have to anchor it to the floor (without stripping any tapcons... that's a whole other issue). Thanks for any insight.

ballengerb1 · Jun 29, 2008, 05:57 PM

The twist-n-set needs than rubber collar to help get it tight so the flange can hold the toilet to the floor. Oatey makes more than the Twist-n-set but all wiil require a fairly straight pipe. If its just a few degrees off, and it has worked before, you might still get a good seal by using and over sized wax ring. The flange will still be off a tad but the wax will make a seal. I don't think tapcons are an option unless you have a plan on how to remove the broken bolts from the concrete since the new bolt needs to be in the same place.

noredr2 · Jun 29, 2008, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

The twist-n-set needs than rubber collar to help get it tight so the flange can hold the toilet to the floor. Oatey makes more than the Twist-n-set but all wiil require a fairly straight pipe. If its just a few degrees off, and it has worked before, you might still get a good seal by using and over sized wax ring. The flange will still be off a tad but the wax will make a seal. I don't think tapcons are an option unless you have a plan on how to remove the broken bolts from the concrete since the new bolt needs to be in the same place.

Not sure if there was a misunderstanding in what I posted. There was no closet flange before... just bolts (sheared off) and wax. The tapcons would be in a different location from the old closet bolts... the flange has slots for new brass bolts. The screws would be to secure the flange to the floor so the waste pipe is not all that is supporting the flange. With that clarification, would you give the same advice? (The pipe is just a few degrees off, but with the flange tight, one side is off the floor 1/4")

ballengerb1 · Jun 29, 2008, 06:23 PM

What you have described is pretty much how toilets were set long ago with no flange. Usually a rope of plumbers caulk was looped around the hole and then the toilet bolted down. Further amateur plumbers probably replaced the caulk with a wax ring. Yes I 'll keep with the same advice with one small addition. The Twist-n-set has four screw holes for screwing to the floor. I'd get some tapcons into those holes to hold the flange tight, toilet too, then install the flange johnnie bolts to actually hold the toilet..