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broomy · Nov 8, 2007, 04:50 AM

I have removed the old floor which leaves me with a sewer line that is about an inch and a half above the subfloor. My plan is to install 1/2 wonderboard and then tile, but that is still going to leave the line above the floor.

The house was built in the 70's so I believe the sewer line is iron. Except it has an malleable extender piece on it. I'm not sure if this stuff is metal or plastic, but I do know it bends :p . Underneath that is a metal flange.

My question is should I get this malleable piece out? If so how? I think I'm going to need an extender piece once I do get the floor in (The mortar bed I removed was about an 3/4 to 1 inch thick, and the wonder board is only half an inch thick), will I be able to pull the old one out and reuse it or the fact that I bent it make it unusable.

I have attached some photos.
1 photo shows inside the pipe, and you can see where the extender joins the pipe. I'm assuming since its white it is plastic, but its bendable which is not what I would expect from a plastic piece.

The other photos show the distance to the subfloor and where I made my wonderful bend.

speedball1 · Nov 8, 2007, 06:58 AM

You have options here. If the extender's PVC you can remove the existing flange, bring the PVC down to floor level and prime and glue in a PVC closet flange. If that don't work for you and the extender's not over 6" down you can take everything out down to the cast iron and install a deep PVC flange. (see image) that willk fit inside a 4 or 3" cast iron pipe. Your choice. Tom

broomy · Nov 8, 2007, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by broomy

I have removed the old floor which leaves me with a sewer line that is about an inch and a half above the subfloor. My plan is to install 1/2 wonderboard and then tile, but that is still going to leave the line above the floor.

The house was built in the 70's so I believe the sewer line is iron. except it has an malleable extender piece on it. I'm not sure if this stuff is metal or plastic, but I do know it bends :p . Underneath that is a metal flange.

My question is should I get this malleable piece out? If so how? I think I'm going to need an extender piece once I do get the floor in (The mortar bed I removed was about an 3/4 to 1 inch thick, and the wonder board is only half an inch thick), will I be able to pull the old one out and reuse it or the fact that I bent it make it unusable.

I have attached some photos.
1 photo shows inside the pipe, and you can see where the extender joins the pipe. I'm assuming since its white it is plastic, but its bendable which is not what I would expect from a plastic piece.

The other photos show the distance to the subfloor and where I made my wonderful bend.

I think I'm confusing my parts.

What is the white piece with the black lip (which I bent) called? Is that the flange?

If so, what is the circular metal piece that has the screws in it (I thought that was the flange).

I'm thinking that the white piece (with the black lipi) is the deep PVC flange you mention. Does that stuff get bendable with time?

iamgrowler · Nov 8, 2007, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by broomy

I think I'm confusing my parts.

What is the white piece with the black lip (which I bent) called? Is that the flange?

It's a lead closet riser.

If so, what is the circular metal piece that has the screws in it (I thought that was the flange).

That's a brass closet ring.

The lead piece is caulked into the hub of the cast iron fitting you see below with a brass caulking ferrule, oakum and more lead.

The brass closet ring is then affixed to the finished floor and the lead riser is gently folded over the top of the brass closet ring -- Any excess lead that goes beyond the brass rings screw holes or closet bolt holes is trimmed off with a pair of snips.

Given the age of the lead, you need to be very careful about not ripping it when you fold it over the brass closet ring.

broomy · Nov 8, 2007, 09:59 AM

(ferrule? Oakum? This can't be good.)

How can I shorten the lead closet riser or can I remove it and put something else instead (i.e. deep pvc flange.)

(I never should have promised my wife to have this floor done by the weekend... )

iamgrowler · Nov 8, 2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by broomy

(ferrule?? oakum?? This can't be good.)

How can I shorten the lead closet riser or can I remove it and put something else instead (i.e. deep pvc flange.)

(I never should have promised my wife to have this floor done by the weekend......)

Fortunately this is just a matter of shortening it -- Rather than extending it.

When you lay your tile backer board, cut or hole saw the tile backer board just big enough to slide around the lead sleeve -- You will need some surface area to screw the lead closet ring to, so don't make the hole too big.

Split the tile backer board down the center of the hole you cut and slide the two pieces under the brass closet ring and then finish your floor (thinset, tile etc).

When the floor is finished, attach the brass closet ring to the floor, there isn't much wood left under the tile backer, so you may want to use 1/4" plastic concrete anchors and stainless screws.

Once the brass ring is set (make sure the closet bolt holes are aligned correctly) it's just a simple matter of gently pounding the lead flat to the top of the brass ring with a ball peen hammer.

broomy · Nov 8, 2007, 10:34 AM

Strange. I don't remember the brass closet ring being fixed to the floor (I did not have to unscrew it from the tile/and mortar before pulling up the floor). I will take you advice and secure it this time, just thought I would mention that fact.

Secondly. I really concerned that since the floor is lower than the old floor I will end up ripping this lead riser as I try to tap it down. Am I over thinking this?