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Analogman
Jun 10, 2008, 06:20 PM
Hello

I have had problems with my downstairs toilet leaking around the flange. I had it repaired by a plumber the first time, I did it the second time, and my Father in law the third. I've realized that the cement floor slopes up slightly towards the flange on the front and the sides, but not the back; like a shallow volcano. The guy from HD said I can shim the toilet and not have a problem. I did a dry run today, and it seems like shimming will work. I.E. no rocking in any direction.
I purchased a Fluidmaster wax free toilet bowl gasket. The newest issue is that the cast iron flange is five inches in inside diameter, approximately 2.5 inches deep and connected to a four inch inside diameter sewer pipe. The fluidmaster wax free unit rubber gasket is not wide enough to cover the five inch diameter flange.
A. Should I put in some type of insert into the flange to make the flange and pipe inside diameter equal? The fluidmaster would work then.
B. Should I use a regular wax seal instead?
C. Other ideas?

Thanks.

speedball1
Jun 10, 2008, 06:44 PM
Hello

I have had problems with my downstairs toilet leaking around the flange. I had it repaired by a plumber the first time, I did it the second time, and my Father in law the third. I've realized that the cement floor slopes up slightly towards the flange on the front and the sides, but not the back; like a shallow volcano. The guy from HD said I can shim the toilet and not have a problem. I did a dry run today, and it seems like shimming will work. I.E., no rocking in any direction.
I purchased a Fluidmaster wax free toilet bowl gasket. The newest issue is that the cast iron flange is five inches in inside diameter, approximately 2.5 inches deep and connected to a four inch inside diameter sewer pipe. The fluidmaster wax free unit rubber gasket is not wide enough to cover the five inch diameter flange.
A. Should I put in some type of insert into the flange to make the flange and pipe inside diameter equal? The fluidmaster would work then.
B. Should I use a regular wax seal instead?
C. Other ideas?

Thanks.
I think I would purchase a wax seal with a funnel, ( see image) and some plastic shims along with a tube of Dap White Tub and Tile Caulk and return the wax free ring.
Set the toilet using the wax seal with a funnel. Try to keep the bowl level as you set it so you don't rupture the wax seal by tilting the bowl. Now place the shims so the bowl's level and doesn't rock. Tighten the closet bolts tight enough so you can't turn the bowl. STOP! Do not over tighten. Saw off the closet bolts and fill the gap with the caulk to give your job a professional look and to hide the gap and the shims. Clean the extra caulk off with a damp cloth. Good luck, Tom