I need to remove an old basement toilet and permanently seal the floor drain.. probably cast iron.. what do I do (call a real plumber?)
Cornelius

If you can pull the toilet you can seal the drain. Remove the toilet. Using newspaper or rags, tightly stuff the hole and hammer the filling down maybe 3". Get a small bag of quickcrete, mix it and pour it into the hole. Depending on the age, you may have a lead pipe hammered over the flange. In that case, pry up the flange and just fill the lead drainpipe. You can also chisel off the old flange and fill the remainder with concrete. Don't leave the hole open too long as sewer gas may enter the house. If you can't do it all at one time, at least stuff the filling in tightly.

Also, you can buy plug and plug the pipe... Milo

Some city codes do not allow you to fill the hole with concrete. There is a plug you can buy at Menards for it, and it will seal it, and you can remove it later if you want to re-install the toilet.

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned whacking the cast iron flange with a hammer and removing the pieces. I wouldn't worry too much about codes at this point. Whose going to inspect it anyhow. I would follow Ma0641s instruction and either use a plug or news paper or even wet rags and cement the hole. With 6the flange remover you can smooth the cement to grade band the potty disappears. Good luck, Tom

Thanks for all the help.. happened to remember that my niece in WV is married to a plumber... per his advise I broke the flange away with a 3 # hammer.. crammed a rag in the drain about 3 inches deep and poured hydraulic cement into the hole.. dried nice and even with the cement floor... I'm a plumber now.. my mom would be proud.
Cornelius

Thanks for the update. If we can ever be of service in the future just ask. Good luck. Tom

cornelip: :-)))

See, told you could do it!