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moorerocks · Apr 6, 2007, 11:36 AM

I'm replacing the tile floor in a bathroom. It appears the backer board goes under the toilet flange. The flange itself is PVC and the slots (for the screws that hold the toilet inplace) are both broke. How do you replace the flange? Do you have to cut the pipe and re-glue a new flange on or does it unscrew? My basement ceiling is drywalled so I can't see the pipe. Thanks for the help!

ballengerb1 · Apr 6, 2007, 12:38 PM

If you go to the box stores yopu'll find a flange repair kit. They are inexpensive and easy to install. By the way, you'll want to take into consideration the height of the new tile before you set the new flange.

moorerocks · Apr 8, 2007, 11:26 AM

So the flange should sit on top of the tile and not on top of the backer board?

Thanks for you help!

If you go to the box stores yopu'll find a flange repair kit. They are inexpensive and easy to install. By the way, you'll want to take into consideration the height of the new tile before you set the new flange.

ballengerb1 · Apr 8, 2007, 12:34 PM

Not exactly what I meant. I usually tile right up to the flange but not under it. The flange and the floor surface are usually the same height. When you set your new flange you need to know how thick the tile and backer will be. Also, when I Reset the toilet I use the wax ring that has a neopreme tube extending out of it for added insurance.

speedball1 · Apr 8, 2007, 12:51 PM

If you'll notice you'll find a lip on the base of the toilet bowl. This lip allows a flange to be set either flush with the finished/tile floor or on top of it with no bad results. When we go in to trim out a new home, ( set and connect fixtures) if the tile or vinyl is already laid we install the closet flange and set the toilet.
As for your broken flange slots, this happens when the installer tightens the closet bolts too tight. They make repair kits, (see image) to fix this that most big box stores stock. Flush or on top, your toilet bowl's very forgiving. Set it. Good luck, Tom

labman · Apr 8, 2007, 02:17 PM

Trust Tom.

moorerocks · Apr 10, 2007, 06:16 AM

Thanks for the advice. One last question, my plan is to install hardibacker on the subfloor. My original plan was to have the flange sit on top of the hardibacker. Yesterday someone suggested that I should use 1/4" piece of wood under the flange and not the hardibacker. They said that it would be more durable than the hardibacker, and would last much longer. Do you agree with this? Thanks again!

ballengerb1 · Apr 10, 2007, 06:31 AM

Not at all. Hardibacker will last hundreds of years even if it gets a bit damp. Wood will eventual decay even if its dry. Also, as Speedball1 mentioned your toilet will fit fine with the flange flush or on top. For added insurance when tiling I re-set they toilet with a oversized or thicker wax ring made for this installation, its just insurance. I recently reviewed a new seal for toilets that has not was, just a neopreme tube with a collar. Haven't use it so I don't know if there is an advantage. Tom, Doug238 or Iamgrowler may have some experience. Hope you are screwing down the hardibacker with their special screws. The length of the screw is determined by the thickness of your backer.