I had a clogged toilet, and using a snake or plunger did not work. I assumed that my five year old had put something in the toilet. I removed the toilet and was shocked that I had roots growing underneath my floor flange and into my drain pipe. Getting the roots out of the drain was a chore, but got them all out. I noticed that the flange is cracked by the bolts, and some roots (1/8" diam) were pushing up the flange. The flange is high on the bolt sides, but flush front and back. The flange is pvc. How do you replace a flange, and any idea how to kill the roots? I did not pry on the flange for fear of breaking it off totally.
I do believe it is glued because of the purple primer on the pvc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I had a clogged toilet, and using a snake or plunger did not work. I assumed that my five year old had put something in the toilet. I removed the toilet and was shocked that I had roots growing underneath my floor flange and into my drain pipe. Getting the roots out of the drain was a chore, but got them all out. I noticed that the flange is cracked by the bolts, and some roots (1/8" diam) were pushing up the flange. The flange is high on the bolt sides, but flush front and back. The flange is pvc. How do you replace a flange, and any idea how to kill the roots? I did not pry on the flange for fear of breaking it off totally.
I do believe it is glued because of the purple primer on the pvc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Why go through the hassle of replacingv the flange when you can repair it?
Most big box stores will carry flange repair kits,(see image) that just slip under the old flange. To replace the old flange you will have to Cut out the old glued in flange and install a new one.
Now let me help you out with those roots. If you wish to control roots RootX or Robics Foaming Root Killer that contain Dichlobrnic are two products you could try.
A less expensive way would be to call around to garden supply stores and ask for fine grain Copper Sulphate. Put a 1/2 pound in your toilet and flush it down. Repeat in 6 months.
Hope this helps and thank you for rating my answer, Tom