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Tunk2009 · Jul 8, 2009, 06:51 PM

The top of my toilet flange is completely gone. All that is left is the piece that is glued into the drain pipe. It is glued completely around and I cannot chisel it out. What do I do to repair the flange so I can fasten my toilet to the drain.
John

ballengerb1 · Jul 8, 2009, 06:57 PM

So you had a PVC flange inside a 4" pipe, right? Alot depends on if the flange was inside the pipe or outside. You can use a Oatey twist-n-set for PVc if it was outside on a 3" or 4" pipe but if your flange was glued welded inside we have a problem Houston.

Tunk2009 · Jul 8, 2009, 07:19 PM

ballengerb1 The piece of flange that is left is glued inside the four inch pipe.
John

ballengerb1 · Jul 8, 2009, 07:44 PM

John, you can just type in the blank box below my answer, what you are accidentially doing right now is starting a whole new post each time we talk. The pther readers can't follow along. Cuta and paste this into the blank box belwo my previous post.

afaroo · Jul 8, 2009, 07:45 PM

John,

Can you post a picture of it, Thanks.

John

Tunk2009 · Jul 9, 2009, 02:02 AM

Ballenger1 I don't have a picture. It is actually my neighbors. I was helping replace his toilet. When I saw that the phlange was broken. I started chiseling it out before I REALIZED IT WAS GLUED ALL THE WAY AROUND.
JOHN

massplumber2008 · Jul 9, 2009, 03:40 AM

Hi John...

If I understand correctly here, you have a PVC closet flange with a rotted metal ring... right?

If so, your best bet will be to go to as local plumbing supply house and purchase a BIVALVE TYPE REPAIR FLANGE... such as the CLAMSHELL... see image. Here, you remove the screws from the old flange and then use a pair of aviation snips to cut the old metal ring off. Then simply insert the bivalved/hinged repair flange into the slotted groove around the PVC flange, close the repair flange tight and secure using appropriate screws.

Set the toilet as normal and you should be all set!

Otherwise, I'm thinking a 4" twist and set closet flange (last image) as suggested by Ballengerb1 might work here... available at home depot or Lowe's. Simply grease (plumber's grease) the neoprene sleeve and insert into the old flange and secure with screws. The old flange must fit OVER the pipe for this to work.

Let us know if we misunderstood your issue or if you have questions...

MARK

Tunk2009 · Jul 9, 2009, 04:35 AM

It is not a metal flange. It is pvc or hard plastic. All that is left is the portion that was glued into the drain pipe. How do I put in a new flange so I can secure the new toilet?
John

massplumber2008 · Jul 9, 2009, 04:41 AM

If the pipe is accessible in the basement then the best thing to do will be to go downstairs, cut the pipe a foot or so behind the old elbow, install new coupling and elbow and new closet flange.

You would need:

PVC primer, PVC cement, small piece of PVC pipe, coupling, elbow, closet flange, wax gasket and closet bolts, etc.

That is probably best here... ;)

You could also purchase the twist and set flange we keep mentioning... see if it slides into the pipe. If it does, you would just secure it to the floor after that. The seal between the flange and the pipe is made by that neoprene sleeve.

.

Tunk2009 · Jul 9, 2009, 04:47 AM

House is on a concrete slab and not accessible from beneath
John

massplumber2008 · Jul 9, 2009, 05:04 AM

Best bet then, if the twist and set will not work is to purchase a repair closet ring... see image. These are usually available at most home improvement stores.

Simply clean the remaining flange off the closet flange and secure the repair ring into place using concrete anchors and screws. Install closet bolts and wax ring and set the toilet.

Here, the seal between toilet and pipe is made by the WAX RING... flange only holds toilet in place.

MARK

speedball1 · Jul 9, 2009, 05:27 AM

Hey Tunk,
What most people don't realize is that the only function a flange does is secure the bowl to the floor. They don't hold water and they won't stop leaks. In fact, when I started plumbing there were older homes that got along just fine without a toilet flange or a wax ring.
We screwed the bowl directly to the floor and used a rope of plumbers putty as a seal. What I'm trying to say is that if there's a problem you can "dry fit" the bowl and mark the holes. Drill in 1/4" plastic inserts, install wood screw closet bolts, Place a wax ring on the bowl and simply set the bowl down over the bolts, give it a little twist to set the seal, tighten the close bolts and "who needs a stinkin flange anyhow?"
Regards, Tom

hkstroud · Jul 9, 2009, 05:42 AM

Since you have already started removing the old flange, a suggestion.

Cut flange longitudinally with a minni hacksaw. Cut through flange only, do not cut into pipe. Warm the entire inside of the flange with your torch (low flame). Then concentrate flame on the cut area. And insert screwdriver or small chisel between flange and pipe and pry apart. Keep flame ahead of chisel. Don't over heat. Image not very good but gray area represents broken flange. Red line represents cut. Sand inside of pipe. Test fit new flange. Use lots of glue to set new flange. Can be done with heat gun or 1500 watt hair dryer but torch works best because flame concentrates heat where you need it.

massplumber2008 · Jul 9, 2009, 05:49 AM

Hi all..

If he has an inside flange that will certainly work if he is patient and doesn't end up breaking the pipe/fitting... ;) Only other thing I wanted to point out was if he uses the torch to be sure to have adequate ventilation... The smoke from burned PVC is highly toxic!!

I agree with Tom though... use the repair ring or use no flange at all... :)

Thanks...