Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    rc9846's Avatar
    rc9846 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    May 30, 2009, 09:13 AM
    Broken pvc closet flange
    We noticed sewer gas coming from a basement bathroom. Made sure all the drain traps were filled with water but the problem persisted. Removed the toilet and saw that the edge of the flange was broken where the closet bolt attaches and that the break extended down about 1/2" down towards the drain. I'm assuming the sewer gas was leaking through this broken area.

    I tried gluing the flange back together with some pvc epoxy and a heat gun but that failed.

    Our conclusion was that the flange had been broken when it was installed. The plumbing is less than 2 years old.

    The gas became noticeable after the septic tank was cleaned and the drain pipe going into the tank was repaired. The repair was necessary because the pipe was separated at a joint and was creating a trap that was evidently filled with water thus preventing gas to come back up the pipe towards the house. Which is why this problem wasn't noticed before.

    The flange, besides being glued to the 3" PVC drain pipe is also attached to the concrete floor. The screw/bolts are flush to the flange and appear to be of some special manufacture that requires a special tool to install/remove.

    I think the break in the flange that extends toward the drain compounds this problem otherwise maybe a simple flange extender would probably solve the problem.

    Will a twist n' set flange fix this problem? If so do I saw off the old flange flush with the floor and then install the new piece? Or should I call a plumber?
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #2

    May 31, 2009, 03:41 AM

    Can you take a photo of it and post it ?
    rc9846's Avatar
    rc9846 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    May 31, 2009, 04:07 AM
    Broken pvc closet flange
    2 Photos. The 2nd is a close up of the screw/bolts.
    Attached Images
      
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #4

    May 31, 2009, 04:15 AM

    Thanks for posting the photos...

    The closet ring is broken in a place that doesn't effect drainage or the way the toilet is attached to the closet ring. In other words, all the important parts are intact. The closet ring is glued OVER the pipe so it should not cause leak when toilet is flushed. You can set toilet over it and ignore the missing part of the closet ring.

    Use "fat" wax ring to install toilet. You have to feel it is being compressed when you are setting toilet over it. This will make positive seal. I understand your theory about origins of the smell but doubt the smell came out of that broken closet ring.

    It would be hard to remove because it is glued to the pipe. You would have to carefully cut the ring off at around the pipe entrance but leave the Hub of the ring glued to the pipe. I would not attempt to remove it since there is a good chance you would break the pipe itself. Then you could either install closet ring that fits INSIDE the pipe and glue it in. Also, and as you mentioned, you could use "Twist'n'Set" ring.
    rc9846's Avatar
    rc9846 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    May 31, 2009, 04:26 AM
    Milo,

    Thanks for the response.

    The toilet never leaked but there was a sewer gas problem. Would it help to ensure that the wax ring was pushed down into the broken off area?

    Attached is a photo of the broken piece.

    Jim
    Attached Images
     
    rc9846's Avatar
    rc9846 Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #6

    May 31, 2009, 04:33 AM
    The first picture is oriented with the top of the picture closest to the wall that the toilet is against.
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
     
    #7

    May 31, 2009, 04:33 AM

    Thank you for the second photo...

    As I said in my previous post, the ring is installed on the outside. The way it is broken should not allow sewer gas in. In old houses they didn't use closet rings at all - they set toilets directly over pipe on wax ring and it made positive seal.

    If you really feel like you have to remove it - than unscrew the bolts, take a skinny wood chisel, put tip of the chisel between the pipe and closet ring and slowly try to break it off piece by piece. If primer was not used during original installation than you have a chance it will peal off. If not, you will have to cut it off and proceed as I explained above.

    But still - my opinion stays: The way it is broken, it should not cause sewer gas to escape to the bathroom. If it was in my house, I would not worry about it...

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

How to repair offset closet flange with broken bolt tabs [ 5 Answers ]

I have removed my toilet and found an offset flange with bolt slots on three sides and two small tabs on one side. I need to reset the toilet but the little bolt tabs are broken. How do I secure the bolt to the flange if there are no tabs? I have attached an image (I think, this is my first...

Installing closet flange where old flange top non existent [ 3 Answers ]

I am flooring in the basement bathroom and need to be able to set the toilet at a higher level. The flange part of the flange has been removed - there is now a pipe with the tubular part of the flange glued into it. How do I install a new flange with the appropriate extensions?

Hole in floor is larger than closet flange, and the flange may be too low [ 3 Answers ]

We recently put down ceramic tile in one of our bathrooms. A friend of ours did the job for almost nothing, as he had most of the required supplies left over from another job, including tile. Now there is water leaking from the base of the toilet. After scouring the DIY sites on the internet, I...

How do I attach closet flange spacer over old flange [ 1 Answers ]

I recently installed a new tile floor in my bathroom, and in doing so, raised the level of the floor. I went out and purchased a closet flange spacer kit and it came with the spacer and two rubber gaskets. I need to know how to attaché these. So I put the first gasket on, then the spacer, then do I...

Broken PVC closet flange [ 9 Answers ]

Hi, Can any one help me?. My basement had a minor flood and as I was tearing out the sub floor I accidentally broke off the toilet flange. The flange was cleanly broken off with the remaining tail piece still glued in the drain pipe. The ID of the broken off piece is 3 3/8". I cannot find a...


View more questions Search