View Full Version : Toilet flange/leaking.
bwomble
Sep 11, 2008, 02:35 PM
We had a tile floor put in our bathroom upstairs and the toilet leaked after they were finished and ruined our downstairs ceiling. I know that they should come back and fix it but at this point they are not responding and I just want to get on with my life. I took the toilet off and it did not appear that the wax ring had received any pressure. I believe that between the backer board they had to use and the thickness of the tile the wax ring is not thick enough to provide a good seal. What should I do to correct the leaking toilet? Please don't tell me to sue the guys that did it. I'll be glad to but I'd like to use the toilet soon and that means hiring someone or fixing it myself.
speedball1
Sep 11, 2008, 03:08 PM
Easy fix! Purchase a set of flange extenders, (see image) and bring the flange up to floor level. The wax ring sounds like it's reusable so simply reset your toilet. Good luck, Tom
ballengerb1
Sep 11, 2008, 04:10 PM
Tom's right easy fix with PVC spacers. How'd you pay those guys, can you put a stop on your check, they are not too smart and should not be doing this work. The surface of the flange must be no lower than the surface of the tile and no higher than the underside of the flange.
bwomble
Sep 11, 2008, 04:14 PM
Easy fix! Purchase a set of flange extenders, (see image) and bring the flange up to floor level. The wax ring sounds like it's reusable so simply reset your toilet. Good luck, Tom
Thank you! You were exactly right in all respects. I'm testing now to verify that there is no leak but I suspect I've got it fixed.
Milo Dolezal
Sep 11, 2008, 05:29 PM
It is a common problem with floor installers. They install new floor, raise finished floor level - and then reinstall toilet back w/o raising the ring.
You got very good advice from Tom. If you followed his instructions, all should be fine.
Ps: don't forget to caulk around the base of the toilet..
ballengerb1
Sep 11, 2008, 06:29 PM
Milo has a good read on this. Tile installers need to be a bit plumber too but most aren't. When they move fixtures they need to reinstall properly and check for perfect operation. I do home repair so I'm fair at most things but not licensed in anything.