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    ALarkin's Avatar
    ALarkin Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #1

    Oct 11, 2006, 07:55 AM
    PVC flange too high, concrete slab
    I discovered the toilet flange in our downstairs bath is about 3/16-1/4” above the concrete slab. Maybe this clearance was left for subfloor/tile that never got installed. Anyway, the toilet rests on the flange unless a lot of shims are used. Also, it looks like the previous owner must have over-tightened the bolts (flange is slightly warped), probably an attempt to stop the toilet from rocking. The flange and pipe are PVC, and I think the flange is glued in. Can the flange be removed easily, and what would I need to do to install a new one at the proper height?

    Thanks
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Oct 11, 2006, 08:03 AM
    You don't remove PVC fittings that have been glued. The glue mets and welds the two together. They must be cut out. You have two options open to you. (1) You can purchase plastic shims and shim and grout the bowl. **or** (2) you can cut the old flange out and replace with a inside replacement flange. What's your pleasure? Tom
    ALarkin's Avatar
    ALarkin Posts: 20, Reputation: 2
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    #3

    Oct 11, 2006, 02:35 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1
    You don't remove PVC fittings that have been glued. The glue mets and welds the two together. They must be cut out. You have two options open to you. (1) You can purchase plastic shims and shim and grout the bowl. **or** (2) you can cut the old flange out and replace with a inside replacement flange. What's your pleasure?? Tom
    Thanks, Tom. I think the flange is an "inside" type already - is there an easy way to tell for sure? If it is, can it be easily cut out and replaced, or would that be a really big job? Right now I've re-set the toilet, and there's 1/4-1/2" gap between the base and the flooring due to all the shims used. I don't want to make work for myself by replacing the flange unnecessarily, but on the other hand I don't want to make work for myself down the road by doing this wrong either. If the gap isn't too much, I'll just fill it in and call it a day - what would be the best stuff to use for that?

    Thanks!
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Oct 12, 2006, 01:47 PM
    As I said, you don't cut out a PVC fitting that has been glued in. Having a inside flange limits you. You can jackhammer up the cement and take a set of inside cutters and cut the stub-up back to couple a piece of PVC to bring it op to grade and install a new flange and patch the cement. Or you can shim up the bowl with sheet lead or plastic shims and grout the base with Dap White Tub and Tile Grout. I have shimmed toilets up to 1/2i nch off the floor and made them look good. It's your choice but I'd go with door number two. Good luck, Tom
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