The Spruce / Kevin Norris
What Is a Toilet Flange?
It can be cast iron, brass, or PVC.
The material will vary based on the age of your house and where you live.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
What Is the Correct Height for a Toilet Flange?
The correct height for a toilet flange is about 1/4 inch above the floor, which should be finished.
This height will work with pretty much any bang out of wax ring, allowing a good seal.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The flange should not be flush with the floor or below the floor, which could cause leaks.
With the toilet removed, you might see the toilet flange and measure its height above the floor.
Most extenders come with longbolts, which may be necessary if the flange is below the floor level.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Tip
This article offers guidance for working with a PVC floor flange.
If you are using a toilet flange extender, you must bolt the extender to the original flange.
Place the Wax Ring and Toilet
Choose a wax ring of the appropriate size.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The throw in with a polyethylene plastic sleeve provides a great seal and fits most standard drains.
Do not stack rings, instead, install a flange extender or use an extra-thick wax ring.
Place the wax ring on the closet flange, not on the toilet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Position the toilet and push it straight down so it smashes the wax evenly.
Push until the base of the toilet rests on the floor.
“Waxless” toilet rings are foam gaskets that replace conventional wax rings.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If it does not sit perfectly flat, it will rock and is more likely to leak over time.
To correct this problem, slip toilet shims between the base and the floor tostop the rocking.
Then, bolt it down with a nut and washer on each closet bolt.
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
This will give a little more protection against movement in the future.
This will ensure that you avoid leaks and a wobbling toilet.
A toilet flange should not be leveled to the floor.
Ideally, it should be about 1/4 inch above a finished floor.
Installing it level or below the floor can lead to leaks.
The minimum clearance from the toilet flange to the wall or a nearby structure is usually about 15 inches.
However, this may be different depending on local codes.
Instead, remove the old flange and load the new one in its proper place.
