I recently noticed water damage on the ceiling directly beneath one of my 2nd floor toilets and decided to inspect it. After removing the toilet I found the wax seal was compromised due to a lack of clearance between the toilet and the flange. I've tried installing one of the o-ring and gasket combination seals but the toilet rocks since the flange is about 3/4" above floor level.

The flange is too high because the person that installed my tile floor laid down the durarock, then attached the flange on top and installed the tile around the flange. I don't want to pull up the tile and durarock just to cut the pipe so I'm looking for alternatives.

I've thought about installing 1/2" plywood between the floor and toilet but am hesitant to do so.

The pipe and flange are 4" PVC and the flange is installed over (outside?) the pipe.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

"I've thought about installing 1/2" plywood between the floor and toilet but am hesitant to do so."
That would be the same as shimming the bowl. While that might work a better way might be to lower the flange.
I would take a Saws-All and saw the PVC pipe off level with the floor and glue on a new flange. Is there any reason that you can't do this? Good luck, Tom

There isn't enough clearence beneath the current flange to do that without somehow cutting a hole in the durarock. I'm not sure how to cut that material from the top without cutting the subfloor beneath it.

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Originally Posted by gman32

There isn't enough clearence beneath the current flange to do that without somehow cutting a hole in the durarock. I'm not sure how to cut that material from the top without cutting the subfloor beneath it.

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You claim 3/4" of clearance between the flange and the floor. That's plenty of room. The Saws-All blade will bend enough to lay flat on the floor allowing you to cut out the old flange and the protruding pipe. From there it's a simple job to glue on a new flange. Regards, Tom

Sorry for the confusion... The bottom of the flange rests on top of the durarock and the thickness of the flange is about 3/4". Therefore, the top of the flange is about 3/4" higher than the floor.

I don't see where you have much choice unless you want to shim up the bowl. Take the flange off to floor level, I would take a power grinder and grind that sucker down to floor level. You will then be in a position to install a 4" PVC Inside Flange,(see below). Don't forget to use PVC primer when you glue. Good luck, Tom