I am going to be installing a regular flush toilet in my basement. The concrete floor had the stub pipe already cut off and a plastic flange, with the holes for the bolts to tighten down the stool already installed.

I have tiled (ceramic tile) up to and around the plastic flange. The flange sits a bit below the tile, maybe 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch.

I assume I simply cut out the center of the plastic flange and install the stool with the wax ring on top of the flange, bolts up through the holes in the stool, silicone caulk around the stool bottom, tighten the bolts hand tight, and proceed to the rest of the install.

Do I, or will I have leaks with the plastic flange not being the same height as the tile?
Any red flags you see here?

You have several options here. You can build the flange up with a flange extender,(see image) and uas a reguar wax ring **OR** install a extrathick wax seal,(see image) check it out at Google Image Result for http://www.gunk.com/product_images/SM_G238D.JPG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gunk.com/product_images/SM_G238D.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.gunk.com/toilet_repair.asp&usg=__pQkG4Ile2sllp-f5bQxXlQrdiCw=&h=200&w=188&sz=7&hl=en&start=10&sig2=1hlgrFUed9Q5eDzm5yVzog&tbnid=iqnC9HuBoeSTOM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dextrathick%2Bwax%2Bseal%26hl%3Den%26r ls%3DGGLM,GGLM:2009-22,GGLM:en&ei=Hck2SvXnEJyxmAftssGDCg)
If you use the extra thick one be sure to bevel out the wax ring so it spreads out and not in . Good luck, Tom

I agree with Tom. I would install tall, flanged, wax ring. Also, in my area, closet ring has to be attached to the floor with no less than 3 brass screws.

You have several options here. You can build the flange up with a flange extender,(see image) and uas a reguar wax ring **OR** install a extrathick wax seal,(see image) check it out at Google Image Result for http://www.gunk.com/product_images/SM_G238D.JPG (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gunk.com/product_images/SM_G238D.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.gunk.com/toilet_repair.asp&usg=__pQkG4Ile2sllp-f5bQxXlQrdiCw=&h=200&w=188&sz=7&hl=en&start=10&sig2=1hlgrFUed9Q5eDzm5yVzog&tbnid=iqnC9HuBoeSTOM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dextrathick%2Bwax%2Bseal%26hl%3Den%26r ls%3DGGLM,GGLM:2009-22,GGLM:en&ei=Hck2SvXnEJyxmAftssGDCg)
If you use the extra thick one be sure to bevel out the wax ring so it spreads out and not in . good luck, Tom

Thanks for the tip. Last night I suspected I needed the extra thick wax flange, so I picked one up at Mennards hardware store. I may go back and pick up some spacers as I already have a regular sized wax ring, and then if I have any issues with the oversized wax ring, I can step back and try the spacers and regular wax ring. The installation is 40 miles from the nearest hardware store, so I am used to having to be prepared with options.


I agree with Tom. I would install tall, flanged, wax ring. Also, in my area, closet ring has to be attached to the floor with no less than 3 brass screws.

The flange is attached to PVC pipe in the cement floor, with the cement smoothed out around and level with the top of the flange, so no need for brass screws in this situaiton I would guess. Going with the tall wax ring... thanks.


Bought and installed the thicker wax ring. Everything worked like a champ.

Thanks for the advice guys!

And thanks for the update. Cheers, tom

That's great ! Congratulations on job well done !