Ask Me Help Desk - Toilet flange below the floor level- URGENT

Hi Guys,
I just quickly reviewed all postings here trying to see if I can find an anwer to my question, but some things are too difficult for me to understand, as I am not familiar with the whole subject.

I hired a plumber to install a new toilet in half a bath in the basement. The old toilet was 60 years old. We agreed that he would take it out and give me time to put ceramic tiles (the old owner had vynyl tiles on horrible concrete floor going up and down and to the left and right. So, when I put new tiles, I had to level each tile by putting a different amount of cement under each tile. Ok, I put the tiles (the plumber told me not to go above the level of the old bolts that he cut and which are still there. He did not remove the flange, so I assumed that he would do it after I put the tiles. I have just called him to tell him to come back to install the toilet and reminded him to bring the new flange with him. Do you know what he said? "There is an old flange there and it stays. I told him that it DOES NOT stay as it is 60 years old and looks horrible - it's falling apart - the metal looks like it has several layers. Then he says, "OK I will take a look at it when I come back tomorrow" I am so upset now that I started reading everything I can find about flanges and found this nice forum. I hope he will be able to remove the old flange and the level of my tiles will permit him to install the new flange at the same level w/my tiles. Now, the old flange is at a lower lever than my tiles. I read here that, when people had a different problem and needed to lower the flange, they were able to do it. Please comfort me and tell me if it is possible to raise the new flange in case it is necessary. I understand after reading all this stuff that there are different kinds of flanges and noticed that there is one that was called here as "Deep closet flange". Is it the one that allows you to raise your flange in case your floor is at a higher level than the old flange? Please respond. I need to call that plumber and tell him to make sure that he has the right flange with him. He gave me the wrong instructions by not planning to replace the old flange, and now he doesn't know that the old flange is a little bit below the level of the tiles.
THANKS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole4

Hi Guys,
I just quickly reviewed all postings here trying to see if I can find an anwer to my question, but some things are too difficult for me to understand, as I am not familiar with the whole subject.

I hired a plumber to install a new toilet in half a bath in the basement. The old toilet was 60 years old. We agreed that he would take it out and give me time to put ceramic tiles (the old owner had vynyl tiles on horrible concrete floor going up and down and to the left and right. So, when I put new tiles, I had to level each tile by putting a different amount of cement under each tile. Ok, I put the tiles (the plumber told me not to go above the level of the old bolts that he cut and which are still there. He did not remove the flange, so I assumed that he would do it after I put the tiles. I have just called him to tell him to come back to install the toilet and reminded him to bring the new flange with him. Do you know what he said? "There is an old flange there and it stays. I told him that it DOES NOT stay as it is 60 years old and looks horrible - it's falling apart - the metal looks like it has several layers. Then he says, "OK I will take a look at it when I come back tomorrow" I am so upset now that I started reading everything I can find about flanges and found this nice forum. I hope he will be able to remove the old flange and the level of my tiles will permit him to install the new flange at the same level w/my tiles. Now, the old flange is at a lower lever than my tiles. I read here that, when people had a different problem and needed to lower the flange, they were able to do it. Please comfort me and tell me if it is possible to raise the new flange in case it is necessary. I understand after reading all this stuff that there are different kinds of flanges and noticed that there is one that was called here as "Deep closet flange". Is it the one that allows you to raise your flange in case your floor is at a higher level than the old flange? Please respond. I need to call that plumber and tell him to make sure that he has the right flange with him. He gave me the wrong instructions by not planning to replace the old flange, and now he doesn't know that the old flange is a little bit below the level of the tiles.
THANKS.

Hi Nicole,
You're going to be pleased to know you have more then one option. You may keep the old flange, (If it's broken they make repair kits) and install the toilet using a wax seal with a funnel or replace with a deep flange. You failed to inform me how far below the floor level the old flange is but you can get deep flanges up to 4" deep. You also failed to inform me what the material is so I'm going to assume that it's cast iron. Your man will have th break out the old flange, remove the old lead and okum poured joint and pour and caulk a new one. Your call! Good luck, Tom

Thank you very much for responding. I am at work now and don't remember how far below the floor level the old flange is. I will check it when I come home. It's definitely less than 4 inches. And yes, it's cast iron, I think. I am afraid that after I did such a good job putting tiles, the plumber will break them only because he didn't remove the flange earlier and will need to break it in order to take it out.

Thanks again for your message.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole4

Thank you very much for responding. I am at work now and don't remember how far below the floor level the old flange is. I will check it when I come home. It's definitely less than 4 inches. And yes, it's cast iron, I think. I am afraid that after I did such a good job putting tiles, the plumber will break them only because he didn't remove the flange earlier and will need to break it in order to take it out.

Thanks again for your message.

Yes he will have to break it out, however this shouldn't be a problem if he's had lead working experience. Again, If the old flange is still good and the distance isn't too great between the flange and the floor level you may still be able to use it. You must realize that a closet flange isn't really necessary. All it does is tie the bowl to the floor.t Two bolts lagged into the floor will do the same thing. There wasn't closet flanges or wax seals when I broke intothe trade. All we did was to screw two closet bolts into the floor, run a rope of plumbers putty for a seal and set the toilet on it. Tell me how much of a gap are we talking about? Cheers, Tom