Another Flange Question

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elgato

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I just removed an original toilet in a 30 year old house with a slab floor and 3" ABS. The flange is plastic and appears OK and at the correct height. There is about an inch of clearance between the concrete and the ABS which allows the flange to move a bit to either side. Should this gap be filled in or screws installed through the flange to make it more secure?

Thank You
 

Jadnashua

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The toilet bolts to the flange, and therefore, if the flange can move, so can the toilet. This can lead to a broken pipe, a broken wax seal, and a big surprise if someone doesn't sit gracefully on that throne.

If there's enough material there to screw into the floor to anchor the flange, do that. If not, you should fill the hole to anchor it. You could embed bolts in the cement in the process so you don't have to drill it out later.
 

Gary Swart

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You say the flange is at the correct height and then say it has an inch clearance above the concrete floor. A flange is supposed to set on top of the finished floor, so unless you install a 1" floor that fits under the flange, your statements are incorrect. As Jim points out, the flanges needs to be anchored to the concrete floor as well. The flange is not a support for the toilet. It holds it down, prevents it from moving about, and is what the wax ring set on to make the seal between the toilet and the drain.
 

elgato

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No, the 1" clearance is between the pipe and the slab which allows some slack that lets the pipe move. Also because of this gap there is nothing for screws to go into. It will be difficult to pour thin set in because the gap is blocked by the flange.
70's tract house quality. I dont really like the idea of a plastic flange but at least it has not rusted away.
So, the best option would be to fill the gap with a concrete product and install screws thru the flange into it?
Thanks again.
Tom
 

Redwood

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You could always view this as a great time to get the all plastic flange off and replace it with one that has a stainless steel ring. Doing this will allow you access to pour cement in the gap and you'll have a bullet proof flange installed. You will have to leave room for the flange to go on the outside of the pipe.
 
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Gary Swart

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OK, now I have the picture. Redwood has the best idea. To leave that space for the flange to slip over the pipe, you can use a special wrap that is made for that purpose or improvise with a piece of cardboard or ??? Whatever you use, it needs to be easy to remove.
 
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