Toilet Flange Is Now Below Floor Level

In a typical toilet installation the floor flange that sits inside the drain opening below the toilet should be positioned so that its bottom surface rests flush against the finished floor or no more than 1 4 inch above or below the floor this ensures that the flange makes a watertight seal against the wax ring that fits between the drain opening and drain outlet horn on the underside of.

Toilet flange is now below floor level.

If your flange sits even or below the floor then it s wrong. If the toilet flange is at the incorrect height it will cause problems with the toilet connecting onto the plumbing. When the toilet was removed the toilet wax ring was still in its original shape. This is very important.

The reason being is because the toilet recesses into the flange when fully installed but when the flange sits even or below the floor the toilet can t properly recess into the flange. The perfect height for the toilet flange is to be the same level as the finished floor. It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor. When installing the toilet flange you need to check that it s the correct height and is also perfectly level.

That meant my toilet flange was now 1 25 below my new floor. To get the necessary clearance from the floor you can add a toilet flange extender which is quick and easy to install. Large bolts thread up through. Even 1 4 inch thick tile over a layer of thin set adhesive can leave the toilet flange far enough below finished floor level to make it difficult to get a good seal.

Ideal height of toilet flange. Most extenders come with long bolts which may be necessary if the flange is below the floor level. A sign that the wax ring was not sealing the toilet from sewer gases or preventing water escaping from under the base of the toilet. To make the long story short my thicker mortar bed mesh backer liner thinset and new floor tiles all added up to raising the overall height of the floor by approximately 1 25.

Here you can see the results of a toilet having been installed on a toilet flange that is below the floor level.