Here is the story and then some questions. Thanks in advance for any help!
My main floor bathroom was periodically clogging and in once case, it overflowed. This is a 20 year old toilet and I think it is the 6+ (maybe 8 or 10) gallon type. The flush is very weak although there is a lot of water in the tank.
Following the overflow, I used a plunger and a closet auger. I don't know that I fixed anything since I had the overflow following my auger work. I also used drain cleaner during this debacle.
I got fed up and felt that this may be due to the older toilet and the weak flushing. I then ripped out the toilet along with the hardwood flooring in preparation for a total overhaul.
Now the questions:
1) The toilet flange is rusted and is a female type flange that is glued around a 3" PVC pipe. What are my best options for replacing this? I see that they make a "male" insert flange that gets inserted inside the 3" pipe which would seem to be an easy option. Considering my clogging problem, is reducing the diameter to under 3" a bad idea? What other options are there other than cutting off the old flange and doing a whole pipe rework? Lastly, is it best that I call a plumber to replace a glued, rusted flange? I do have access to the pipe since I can easily cut out the underlayment since it is exposed.
2) If I do install the flange, they used spacers under the screws that hold the flange to the underlayment since the flange needed to be raised to fit over the hardwood. I will need the same height since I am putting tile in place of hardwood. Are spacers the right approach (metal sleeves that go around the screws) or should I be doing something different?
3) How can I test to see whether I have a real problem with the main drain before I just put a new toilet in place. Originally my thinking was that the problem was more with the toilet but this may be a big oversight. The toilet is out at this point. Should I bring in a plumber to "investigate" and will they really be able to diagnose anything at this point?
Thank you
My main floor bathroom was periodically clogging and in once case, it overflowed. This is a 20 year old toilet and I think it is the 6+ (maybe 8 or 10) gallon type. The flush is very weak although there is a lot of water in the tank.
Following the overflow, I used a plunger and a closet auger. I don't know that I fixed anything since I had the overflow following my auger work. I also used drain cleaner during this debacle.
I got fed up and felt that this may be due to the older toilet and the weak flushing. I then ripped out the toilet along with the hardwood flooring in preparation for a total overhaul.
Now the questions:
1) The toilet flange is rusted and is a female type flange that is glued around a 3" PVC pipe. What are my best options for replacing this? I see that they make a "male" insert flange that gets inserted inside the 3" pipe which would seem to be an easy option. Considering my clogging problem, is reducing the diameter to under 3" a bad idea? What other options are there other than cutting off the old flange and doing a whole pipe rework? Lastly, is it best that I call a plumber to replace a glued, rusted flange? I do have access to the pipe since I can easily cut out the underlayment since it is exposed.
2) If I do install the flange, they used spacers under the screws that hold the flange to the underlayment since the flange needed to be raised to fit over the hardwood. I will need the same height since I am putting tile in place of hardwood. Are spacers the right approach (metal sleeves that go around the screws) or should I be doing something different?
3) How can I test to see whether I have a real problem with the main drain before I just put a new toilet in place. Originally my thinking was that the problem was more with the toilet but this may be a big oversight. The toilet is out at this point. Should I bring in a plumber to "investigate" and will they really be able to diagnose anything at this point?
Thank you