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Habituous · Mar 13, 2012, 03:34 PM

I was removing my toilet (never done it before), and got cocky thinking I could remove the rusted, stuck closet bolts. In doing so, I managed to bust most of the PVC flange under the toilet that the bolts connected to. Guess I should have listened to my father-in-law and just sheared the bolts off, as they'd be much cheaper to replace. Anyhow, now I'm stuck with this mess (picture should be attached). What are my options? I now I can get the metal replacement flanges, but I'm not sure about my sub flooring, and if I can I'd like to avoid ripping up the floor as much as possible. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

mygirlsdad77 · Mar 13, 2012, 04:49 PM

Can you let us know what size the drain is, 3 or 4 inch? Also, I can see the flange is plastic, but is the pipe also plastic? What is the clear portion on the top side of the pipe? If this is a 4" drain, you have a couple options. If its three inch, less so, but still some things that can be done without tearing up the floor. Its hard to tell from the photo, is the floor wood or cement? Also, can you gain access to the under side of the toilet drain (if it's a wood floor)? A stainless repair flange will work just fine as long as you can anchor it good. Let us know a little more about your situation and we will try our best to help out.

hkstroud · Mar 13, 2012, 05:23 PM

MGD,

I think what you are seeing is what isn't there, and that is most of the flange. The white at top of the pic is what remains of the flange. The rest is the thinset of the tile.

My suggestion would be to break off the rest of the flange. Sand or file smooth what remains of the flange inside the pipe. Get a flange extension. Put a good bead of construction adhesive or silicone on the top edge of the pipe. Set the flange extension. Make sure to line up the holes for the toilet hold down bolts. (Should be equal distance from rear wall). Screw flange down to floor with four stainless steel wood screws. Set toilet, use wax ring with horn.

speedball1 · Mar 14, 2012, 06:03 AM

If the old flange fit over the outside of the pipe then clear off the old flange down to the pipe and install a inside flange. Good luck, Tom

mygirlsdad77 · Mar 14, 2012, 04:05 PM

I see the flange is all but gone, but on the inside of the pipe I see a clear, not white, ring? Might just be my eyes? Just makes me wonder if the actuall pipe is pvc, but the flange was some sort of conversion flange? Either way, Harold, both you and Tom gave great advice about how to hande the situation. See you around guys.

ballengerb1 · Mar 14, 2012, 05:26 PM

I agree with Tom but it looks to me that the flange is INSIDE the pipe so not as simple. There are tools you can add to a drill to ream out old PVC connections but I'd break my wrist on a 4" pipe. I would help if you told us if your pipe is a 4" or 3", if its a 4" then you may be able to clean off all the old flange above the pipe and then install a 3" Twist-n-set flange.Oatey 43651 4" PVC Closet Flange

hkstroud · Mar 14, 2012, 06:02 PM

I think I see what you are talking about Dad. The remaining part of the flange (on the floor) does look like it is part of the outer ring. However the part inside the pipe also looks like it's part of the flange. May Habituous will come back and talk to us some day.

Of course it's also possible that his father-in-law took his computer away.