Ok I am a female and my husband is over in Iraq so Im taking on all the house repairs. The toilet was leaking so I was told to replace the wax ring... easy enough. Once I got the toilet off the flange was broken so I had to replace it, again easy enough. Except this has turned into a mess. It was rusted pretty bad and so I couldn't get to the screws or even see them so I pried the metal flange off. I went and got a new plastic flange but it doesn't work because the metal that is inside the pipe makes the new flange stick up off the floor. The pipe seems to be pvc or plastic, but at the top of the pipe under the floor it looks like it turns into metal and comes up to form a metal ring that was inside the old metal flange. I don't know if its glued on or just rusted together but it won't come out. My dad let me borrow a grinder and at this point I think I am going to grind down this metal ring so the new flange will fit. However maybe I should take the grinder/cutter and cut the metal inside that may or may not be attached to the plastic pipe? The new plastic flange I have has some "piping" attached and a rubber glove that goes around it so I think if I cut the metal part inside the plastic pipe the new flange will take the place of that and the rubber will be enough of a seal. I am just scared that if I grind it down I might mess something up or if I cut it I may really screw something up. I am fully capable of doing this myself and do not want to call a plumber. I just need some direction or maybe some advice from somebody who can understand what I am saying. Thanks so much!

Jenny...

Any chance you can post a picture of this flange?

If this is a pvc pipe with a metal ring then the old metal ring can be cut off and a new BIVALVE type of replacement ring can be purchased at a PLUMBING SUPPLY HOUSE and installed... see photo below.

I use a pair of AVIATION/TIN SNIPS to snip the old metal ring off but that be hard for you to do. If you use the grinder then please use a pair of safety goggles and plan on needing the SNIPS to make the final cut as you get close to the plastic (grinder will probably cut into the plastic... a bad thing).

Let us know more here...

MARK

Here are some pictures, the first one is before I took the flange off, the second is after I took the flange off... you can see there's a metal ring still left, with what looks like metal that goes down into the hole maybe two inches then it turns into what looks like plastic piping. The third picture is the new plastic flange I bought. The problem is that since that metal is left the new flange won't go down into the hole nor will it fit around that metal ring that is still there. It won't go on top either because then it sticks up like 1/2 and inch off the floor. Should I cut the metal into the hole or just grind down the metal ring on top of the floor. If I don't cut the metal inside the hole then the new flange I have won't fit in past that metal. This was the smallest flange they had with the piping on the bottom. If I don't cut the metal inside and just grinded down the metal on top of the floor could I buy a regular flange without the piping attached and use it? I don't know what to do...

Jenny...

I'm pretty darn sure by looking at the picture that all you need to do is go to a local plumbing supply house and get a new BIVALVE replacement closet flange (one name brand is the CLAMSHELL)... just as I suggested at my first post to you.

The replacement closet flange slips in and under that metal ring and then gets secured to the floor. I know my picture has a plastic part and yours is metal, but that is probably even better for you as the metal looks to be in really good shape... :)

Please try this before messing with the metal ring or grinding anything! Look at the picture one more time... I think this will fix it for you. Click on theclam2.pdf for a close up view... looks just like yours except mine is plastic.

I would not use the flange you purchased.

Let me know what you think...

MARK

I haven't found one of those bivalve closet flanges yet. I am getting so frustrated. Every plumber thinks Im stupid cause I am a girl and they have all these suggestions and won't just give me what I am asking for. Everyone offers me repair flanges that Don't FIT AROUND THE METAL RING. Why can't I find a plumbing supply house that carries the Bivalve closet flange? Sorry I didn't listen to your first post, I suppose I didn't understand, and with all the frustrations I figures it couldn't just be easy enough to find a single part that would help me... Thanks again I'm still looking!

Jenny...

Did you bring picture of the bivalve repair ring? Just curious? The bivalve is available online pretty quickly.

You may also be able to use this repair ring... see picture. These are available at all home supply houses... the one you want will not have a black plastic cap in it like mine below, but will just be the red repair ring... ok?

Here, you would insert the johnnie bolts into their slots and then align bolts and screw the repair flange to the floor. The wax gasket will still mate with the metal ring on the old plumbing and the toilet will be held firmly in place by the new repair ring. This may be easiest in the long run now that that bivalve flange is turing out to be difficult to find... guess it never crossed my mind that they may not be avialable everywhere!

This will work well, too... ;)

Let me know what happens.

MARK

The CLAMSHELL closet repair ring can't be found at The Home Depot or lows, you may print a picture of the one Mark sent it to you and bring it with you to a plumber supply house they will find you the same or something smeller, Good luck.

John

Sorry Mark,

I over ride you I had type it eary and submitte late,

Regards,
John

Hi John..

Actually I told jenny it was only available at a plumbing supply house at my first post... and if you read her post she states that she only went to plumbing supply houses. Just FYI... ;) I swear!

This one is pretty sharp!

And you can over-ride me anytime...enjoy your contributions around here!

See you!

MARK