How do you replace toilet flange? Its now approx 1/4" - 3/8" higher than the new tile. Is there another way to fix this problem without replacing the flange?

Hi Anne...

Usually, the toilet flange sits directly on top of the tile floor. Is the bottom of the flange sitting on tile or higher than tile?

If this is a cast iron flange then you may be able to take a 2"x4" and a hammer and drive the old flange down to where it touches the tile. You would then need to repack the lead with a caulking iron (sold at home depot or local plumbing supply house)... see picture to get idea of what I mean here.

If not cast iron then let us know what kind of pipe/flange you have and we will see what best option is for you.

Let us know...

MARK

The flange is slightly higher than the new tile... the pipe is cast iron. Do I hit the flange from the above or down at the joint like the picture?

Do not hit anything just yet. A wax ring gets compressed between the flange and the toilet. There is wiggle room in this area. A flange can be flush with the floor or the bottom edge of the flange can be flush with the finished floor. It sounds to me that you are already within limits. Try dry fitting the toilet on the floor with no ring, does the toilet make actual contact with the flange, if so now you can bang on it. If there is no contact you just need a wax ring.

Try what Bob has suggested... may work fine if flange is less than a 1/4" off the floor.

Let us know how you make out...

MARK

Okay guys... more info
The bottom of the flange is 3/8" off the tile... now what?

Anne...

I'm sorry... I wanted you to follow Bob's advice on setting the toilet without wax gasket in place. I didn't mean for you to get hung up on that 1/4" I mentioned at the end...my fault!

As Bob said, set toilet without wax ring and see if toilet sits tight to floor. If it does then just need to add wax gasket and you should be fine.

If toilet rocks or sits off floor withjout wax gasket in place then you will need to take a 2"x4" and smack the flange down forcefully... BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT COME ON BACK AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU CAN. I want to be sure we are doing good if messing with the cast flange as these can crack if hit in the wrong way...

Back at you.

YES... the toilet rocks and sits off the floor without the wax gasket. House is 30yrs old and no remodeling done up until now. All I did was remove everything due to water damage. I replaced subfloor with 3/4" plywood and laid down cement board and new porcelain tile. What next?

Anne..

Take a 2"x4'x12" piece of wood and hammer and see if you can drive the flange down 3/8"... stay away from the slotted sides.

If successful then you will need to repack the lead ring down so it reseals around the edges.

Try to drive the flange down... should be able to see what I mean about the lead ring after that.

Let us know how you do.