I am installing a subfloor in what used to be the garage, over a concrete slab...

There is an existing toilet that I removed temporarily, however the flange for the toilet is on the slab, approximately 2.5" too low for the new floor. I pulled the flange off, and in the process realized that there is a lead pipe going into the slab, which was flared out over the flange.

Is there a way to raise the height of the closet flange without going too crazy and digging up the floor? The lead looks to be in good shape, so I was hoping that I could simply insert something down inside the lead pipe that would provide a sufficient seal and raise the level of the closet flange sufficiently...

Does something like this exist?

Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!

I am installing a subfloor in what used to be the garage, over a concrete slab...

There is an existing toilet that I removed temporarily, however the flange for the toilet is on the slab, approximately 2.5" too low for the new floor. I pulled the flange off, and in the process realized that there is a lead pipe going into the slab, which was flared out over the flange.

Is there a way to raise the height of the closet flange without going too crazy and digging up the floor? The lead looks to be in good shape, so I was hoping that I could simply insert something down inside the lead pipe that would provide a sufficient seal and raise the level of the closet flange sufficiently...

does something like this exist?

Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!


The last time I ran into a lead closet flange was over 40 years ago in a old house in Tampa. How I would deal with this problem would be to VERY CAREFULLY straighten out that lead pipe flange so it extends up so you could form a lip over the new sub floor. I would then screw a regular closet flange to the sub floor over the lead lip. I would use a wax seal with a funnel to direct the discharge past the flange and into the lead pipe. If the lead pipe didn't extend up high enough I would purchase a " deep flange" (that's a closet flange with a 1 to 3" collar extending below" and fit it over the lead pipe and caulk it with silicon grout. Screw the flange to the floor so it's secured and use a wax ring with a funnel to set the toilet.
Without being there, you just got my best shot. Good luck, Tom

That seems like it would work, but I have one more question...

Assuming the lead is long enough to have the deep flange go over it ( I think it'll be close) and that the wax ring with the funnel is deep enough to go into the lead part, will the wax ring funnel seal against the lead enough to be airtight? I'll look at wax rings to see if I can tell myself...

I heard something about sewage vapors being a problem, and I am concerned about that a little bit... I have no idea if there is a trap under the slab, but I am assuming there is not...

Seem logical?

I'll post a picture in a minute to give you a better idea...
Here's a link:
www.windmillphotography.com/images/temp/drain.jpg

The lead sticks up approximately 1" past the slab, and my subfloor, due to the uneveness of the whole thing is probably going to end up being about 2.5" to 3" above the slab

Thanks again for your help...

that seems like it would work, but I have one more question...

assuming the lead is long enough to have the deep flange go over it ( i think it'll be close) and that the wax ring with the funnel is deep enough to go into the lead part, will the wax ring funnel seal against the lead enough to be airtight? I'll look at wax rings to see if I can tell myself...

I heard something about sewage vapors being a problem, and I am concerned about that a little bit... I have no idea if there is a trap under the slab, but I am assuming there is not...

seem logical?

I'll post a picture in a minute to give you a better idea...
heres a link:
www.windmillphotography.com/images/temp/drain.jpg

the lead sticks up approximately 1" past the slab, and my subfloor, due to the uneveness of the whole thing is probably going to end up being about 2.5" to 3" above the slab

Thanks again for your help...

Straighten out the lead pipe so it becomes so you can slip the deep flange OVER it. Secure the flange to the floor by cement screws or plastic inserts and then caulk the deep flange into the lead pipe using silicon grout. Then set with a wax ring with a funnel to make sure the discharge gets past the floor line

that seems like it would work, but I have one more question...

assuming the lead is long enough to have the deep flange go over it ( i think it'll be close) and that the wax ring with the funnel is deep enough to go into the lead part, will the wax ring funnel seal against the lead enough to be airtight? I'll look at wax rings to see if I can tell myself...

I heard something about sewage vapors being a problem, and I am concerned about that a little bit... I have no idea if there is a trap under the slab, but I am assuming there is not...

seem logical?

I'll post a picture in a minute to give you a better idea...
heres a link:
www.windmillphotography.com/images/temp/drain.jpg

the lead sticks up approximately 1" past the slab, and my subfloor, due to the uneveness of the whole thing is probably going to end up being about 2.5" to 3" above the slab

Thanks again for your help...

Straighten out the lead pipe so it becomes so you can slip the deep flange OVER it. Secure the flange to the floor by cement screws or plastic inserts and then caulk the deep flange into the lead pipe using silicon grout. Then set with a wax ring with a funnel to make sure the discharge gets past the floor line, There is no trap under the floor, the trap's in the bowl. Good luck, Tom

Sounds like a plan to me... thank you so much for your expertise...

This was the only part of the job I was worried about... and now I have an answer...