The bolts rusted, and broke on my toilet -- so it slid around and broke the seal. I went to the hardware store to buy a wax ring, and ended up with a rubber boot that said it was "easier and less mess".

I put it on the toilet, tightened it too much and cracked the flange on both sides. It's a pvc flange that is set into the floor (ceramic tile in the downstairs bathroom -- on a slab) about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.

I then went and bought an extra thick wax ring -- hoping I'd get a good seal. There is no water that I can see coming out now, but sewer gas is definitely coming through.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Not to worry! There's a flange repair kit, (see image) that most hardware and big box stores carry. They just slip under the broken slot. Good luck. Tom

It is cracked on the top and the botttom, as well as one of the sides where the bolt goes. Will these still work?

Would a flange extender work since the flange sits below the floor surface?

Would a flange extender work since the flange sits below the floor surface?
How far below does it set?

How far below does it set?


1/4 to 3/8 of an inch.

How far below does it set?


The toilet rocks when I tightened it all the way down.

Bump for response -- in case you forgot about me ( :

Nobody forgot about youi, I just close down and kick back at 7PM. A flange extender wouldn't help since you still need the slots on the flange to hold the bowl secure. As you can see the flange repair kit runs half way around the broken part of the flange. Is the flange so badly mangled that it must be replaced? Or haven't you tried the repair kit yet. Besides it's not recessed that much. Did the toilet rock before you broke the flange? If so the bowl will have to be shimed at the time you set it. Good luck and let me know. Tom

The bolts rusted, and broke on my toilet -- so it slid around and broke the seal. I went to the hardware store to buy a wax ring, and ended up with a rubber boot that said it was "easier and less mess".

I put it on the toilet, tightened it too much and cracked the flange on both sides. It's a pvc flange that is set into the floor (ceramic tile in the downstairs bathroom -- on a slab) about 1/4 to 1/2 an inch.

I then went and bought an extra thick wax ring -- hoping I'd get a good seal. There is no water that I can see coming out now, but sewer gas is definitely coming through.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
I think you just bought a new toilet ! Seriously, I do not know of any other way except to replace it. Are there any plumbers reading this ? Maybe they can suggest a fix ?

"Are there any plumbers reading this ? Maybe they can suggest a fix ?"

Gee! And here I thought we just did. If the rerpair kit isn't going to work for you there is another way to secure the bowl without tearing out the old flange and replacing it. But I woud rather you try the kit before we go to "plan B". Regards, Tom

Since it was cracked on top and bottom, I bought a repair kit that was a ring rather than two half moons. Supposedly you just screw it into the concrete on top of the old flange with Tapcons. I hope it works...

Since it was cracked on top and bottom, I bought a repair kit that was a ring rather than two half moons. Supposedly you just screw it into the concrete on top of the old flange with Tapcons. I hope it works.....

Hey! That was plan "B". Back in the old days we set our toilets without flanges just using wood screw closet bolts and a rope of plumbers putty for a seal. Good luck, Tom

They now make a two piece stainless steel flange that slips under the flare of the drain pipe and the two parts are held together with screws. Check with a plumbing supply store, as I have never seen these at Home Depot or Lowe's.