I think I have a real problem. In a bathroom remodel the plumbers left a 4" lead bend with about 6 inches above the new floor height. The tiling contractor cut the lead bend even with the floor, (about 1/4 inch above the tile). I gather from other wuestions that I don't have enough lead pipe to make a lip over a brass floor flange. My question is: if I remove the tile around the pipe I should have enough to make the lip to install the brass floor flange. However, then it would not be sitting on top of the tiled floor. If I did that, could I then use a spacer to raise it to floor height? I cannot take up the entire floor to replaced the lead bend. Is it possible to extend the pipe by soldering? Thanks very much in advance for any advice you can provide.

Regards,

Deb:confused:

Hey Deb,

Your tile contractor left you with a problem and he is the one who should correct it not you. Call him back and ask him to remove the tiles and flare out the lead so you can install a closet flange over it, If the flange isn't down too deep all you will need is a wax ring with a funnel attachment. Don't forget to run a small rope of plumbers putty under the closet flange and before the lead one before screwing the flange down to the subfloor. Good luck, Tom

Thanks Tom, I sincerely appreciate the answer. I can cut back the tile around the lead bend to allow enough room for the flange. The question is how much lead do I need to bend back over the brass flange?

Also, to be clear, the plumbers putty should go under the flange (on the subfloor) and also between the lead pipe and flange before the lead to bent back and hammered down to the flange?

Second part - If I have to go down 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch (my subfloor is 3/4 ply then self leveling compound, then thinset, then tile (altogether about 1 1/4 inches) to get enough lead to bend back over the flange, can I then use a spacer to get the flange up to finished floor height?

Thanks again!

Best regards,

Deb

Also, to be clear, the plumbers putty should go under the flange (on the subfloor) and also between the lead pipe and flange before the lead to bent back and hammered down to the flange?
The lead pipe is flared over the sub floor, The plumbers putty is just insurance against any leaks after the pipe's flared out and the flange screwed down to the sub floor.

"Second part - If I have to go down 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch (my subfloor is 3/4 ply then self leveling compound, then thinset, then tile (altogether about 1 1/4 inches) to get enough lead to bend back over the flange, can I then use a spacer to get the flange up to finished floor height?"

You may install a flange extender to bring the flange up to grade and a wax ring with a funnel for added insurance . Cheers, Tom

Thanks again Tom! I will not be doing this myself, just trying to prepare the area for a plumber by cutting away the tile and getting the brass flange and spacer, and the wax seal with horn. I feel so much better when the mystery goes away and things actually make sense!