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lam1303 · May 28, 2009, 02:19 PM

Hi.

We had a leak in our toilet so we had to pull out the wood floor. We are getting ready to replace the wood, but want to ensure we can solve the issue.

We had issues with our toilet rocking and the last plumber just doubled up the wax rings and then caulked around the base of the toilet to stablize it. Little did we know that our leak would not appear until it was bad enough to come out the sides of the caulk. Anyway, we are now replacing the rotten floor and want to see if we can stop the toilet from rocking.

What causes the toilet to rock. The flange sits above the finished floor level (probably between 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Is that what causes the rocking? Is this able to be fix by a plumber or do we just have to hope we don't have the issue again.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Lisa

berny0770 · May 28, 2009, 02:32 PM

How can I conect a shower drain to a toilet cast iorn flange

mygirlsdad77 · May 28, 2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by lam1303

Hi.

We had a leak in our toilet so we had to pull out the wood floor. We are getting ready to replace the wood, but want to ensure we can solve the issue.

We had issues with our toilet rocking and the last plumber just doubled up the wax rings and then caulked around the base of the toilet to stablize it. Little did we know that our leak would not appear until it was bad enough to come out the sides of the caulk. Anyway, we are now replacing the rotten floor and want to see if we can stop the toilet from rocking.

What causes the toilet to rock. The flange sits above the finished floor level (probably between 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Is that what causes the rocking? Is this able to be fix by a plumber or do we just have to hope we don't have the issue again.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

Lisa

A rocking toilet can be cuased by unlevel floor(in your case, rotted), or loose toilet bolts, or improperly secured closet flange. What type of material is your closet flange. I would remove closet flange, lay new floor, reinstall a new closet flange(and anchor it well to the new floor. Set toilet, snug it up good. Your rocking should be solved, as well as your leak. Good luck and please let us know how things turn out.

mygirlsdad77 · May 28, 2009, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by berny0770

how can i conect a shower drain to a toilet cast iorn flange

You cant. Please start your own post and we will try to help you get this figured out.

ballengerb1 · May 28, 2009, 06:40 PM

If the top of your flange is 1/4 to 1/2" above the finished floor it is way too tall and will contribute to rocking. The top of the flange must be flush with the top of the finished floor OR the bottom edge of the flange is flush with the finished floor. That pretty much tells the range of a flange and wax ring. Follow Mygirlsdad's instructions on replaceing the floor but keep the flange within the limits I have listed.

lam1303 · May 29, 2009, 05:57 AM

Okay, we have a PVC (plastic flange in a concrete slab.) The floor is hardwood. I tried to post some pictures, but have been unable to. The toilet rocked prior to the wood rot and also, we used a level and the floor is level.

So we should have the new floor laid and then have a plumber come out and cut the flange to be level with the finished floor. Can this be accomplished after the floor has been laid?

I certainly appreciate your help and answers to my questions.

Lisa

lam1303 · May 29, 2009, 06:25 AM

Okay, we have a PVC (plastic flange in a concrete slab.) The floor is hardwood. I tried to post some pictures, but have been unable to. The toilet rocked prior to the wood rot and also, we used a level and the floor is level.

So we should have the new floor laid and then have a plumber come out and cut the flange to be level with the finished floor. Can this be accomplished after the floor has been laid?

I certainly appreciate your help and answers to my questions.

Lisa

mygirlsdad77 · May 29, 2009, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by lam1303

Hi.
the last plumber just doubled up the wax rings The flange sits above the finished floor level (probably between 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

Lisa

Lets clarify that the flange is higher than the finished floor. If it is, I can't see why any plumber would use two wax rings, when there isn't even enough for one. Some plumbers will use two wax rings when the flange is below floor level. Please let us know. If flange is high, (Bob gave you the correct flange hight requirements) then you will need to either have the flange lowered. Or if you are replacing the whole hardwood floor, they could put down some subfloor under the hardwood to bring you within correct height for flange. I would like to see at least the subfloor under the flange so the flange has something to sit on. Since your toilet drain is in concrete, it may be a little tricky to lower the flange.

You asked in your original post,, is this something a plumber can fix... yes, if you plan on hiring a plumber, they should be able to give you your best options. If you plan on doing this yourself, we will do our best to help.

pare_john · May 29, 2009, 06:13 PM

I was under the assumption that the flange needs to sit on top of the finished floor. Can a plumber clarify this please?

mygirlsdad77 · May 30, 2009, 02:19 PM

This is the way I was taught to do it during my apprenticeship courses, was also told this in my plumbing books. This is the correct way to do it. But flush with floor WILL work. If you have the choice, I would go with flange setting on top of finished floor, as this is good plumbing practice. But some times it just doesn't work out that way. Ill dig out may books and try to find some lit on this(if I can find them, its been quite a few years, and kids tend to relocate such things). Ill also look in my code book, which I have handy. Not sure if this is covered in the code or not. Hope this answers your question pare john. You were under the correct assumption.