A common issue after installing a new bathroom floor is failing to account for the change in floor height when reinstalling the toilet. The seal between the toilet flange and the base is critical to preventing leaks. If the flange is too high or too low under the finished floor, additional steps are required to ensure the toilet seals properly and remains leak-free.
Toilet Flanges, Explained
The toilet flange’s job is to hold the toilet in place. It is the flared fitting that connects the waste pipe, the toilet, and the building together. Ideally, it sits above the finished floor, up to ¼”. It attaches to the end of the waste pipe, screws to the floor, and bolts to the toilet, creating that stable connection. The seal is completed with a wax ring, which creates the watertight seal between the toilet and the flange. Filling in any gaps where water could leak out.
How to Address a Wrong Height Flange
There are a few options for adjusting to a flange that is too low below the floor or too high above the floor:
Jumbo Wax Ring
For flanges that sit flush with the floor or just slightly below, a jumbo (extra-thick) wax ring instead of a traditional wax ring is usually sufficient.
Stack Toilet Flange Spacers
When a jumbo wax ring isn’t enough height, stacking wax rings is not recommended to make up for a low flange since the gaps between are more likely to fail overtime.
Instead, when a flange sits beneath the finished floor, use PVC toilet flange spacers and stack them until the desired height is reached, using silicon sealant between layers. A wax ring is still added on top of the flange extenders. Using more than three spacers is generally not recommended. If the flange is lower than that, the flange should be reinstalled.
Rubber Toilet Seals
Instead of using messy wax rings, stacking flange extenders, and shimming to get a stabilized toilet, you can use a universal rubber toilet seal. A DIY-friendly product that removes a lot of the hassle from installing a toilet. These rubber seals can adjust to a range of flange heights, accommodate uneven surfaces, make it easy to readjust the toilet if placed in the wrong position, and come in universal designs to fit a variety of issues.
Reinstall the Flange
There is a point where no products can adjust for a flange that is significantly the wrong height. Do not use a product to adjust flange heights past the manufacturers’ recommended uses. Call a plumber to raise or lower the flange if needed.
Resources
Perfect Seal toilet wax ring with bolts
Compact hack saw—to cut down toilet bolts
