Place the end of the drill bit onto one of the areas to drill on the tile and twist the drill back and forth … Did you notice any leaking or sweating of your toilet? This video seemed very helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP-31BrkN1w. Lastly, insert your wax ring, set your toilet back on the flange, and bolt your toilet to the floor. We only recommend using laminate in a half bathroom. If you’re in luck the closet flange extender will be level, but if it’s not…you’ll have to shim your toilet when you install it. Posted on December 14, 2020 by December 14, 2020 by Put a 3/4-inch drill bit into a power drill and place the tip of the bit about 1/4 inch inside the line. Hi Kevin, unfortunately not. Bestlaminate’s blog is dedicated to you by making the home improvement process easier and more affordable. Can you install the toilet without a flange? That might still work with a standard wax ring, or it might require something designed to fill the bigger gap. Never install a toilet on a flange that is level, or below the finished floor. Really, we would cut half way on the joist, install 2x4 blocks horizontal between the joist under the subfloor halfway on the edge of the existing subfloor to tie the sheets together, then install the subfloor. Bathroom Flooring Ideas to Make Your Room Sparkle. Secure them with washers and nuts. Once you have the toilet separated from the old flange, installing the new one is rather easy. when running the flooring do you run flooring then set vanity. I cut the hole and install the flange through the new sub floor, then tile to the flange so that the toilet will be sitting on the new flooring and not try to cut tile to fit around the toilet. Your email address will not be published. The more accurate the measurements, the better off you will be. Re: Toilet Flange/Subfloor issues; Author: steve (CA) Unless I could get a flange that would glue inside the vertical "pipe", I would cut out the 90* and glue in another one with a straight pipe sticking up above the floor level. Installing a Toilet Flange. What about a vanity that has feet? Drill … Uncategorized installing toilet flange on tile floor. Hi, I just purchased Lifeproof from Home Depot for my master bathroom. These types of rings install on the flange, rather than the toilet outlet. Take the old flange with you when buying a new one at a hardware store. Apply a generous bead of 100% silicone caulk on top of the old closet flange. The wax ring will not be enough, as it compresses over time. You will run the flooring up to the flange and set the toilet on top. His published work includes material for major companies in the home improvement, plumbing, HVAC and power tool industry. You may have to shim up the toilet or use a toilet base slab to prevent rocking. galvanized drywall screws to supply a solid, flat nailing surface. Insert two new closet bolts into the slots in the closet flange. If you were to install the toilet and sink first, the caulking could crack due to the expansion and contraction, making the installation look sloppy. If you are lucky, the toilet flange may be in good shape and all it needs are a few screws to hold it securely to the subfloor before reinstalling your toilet. When you install a toilet on a wood floor, you won't encounter any more difficult problems than you would installing one on any other floor covering. Determine the size of the section of plywood you want to install. You want to know about [and correct] any leaks as early as possible. Align a framing square with the pencil mark, and extend the line so it travels the length or width of … It is important to note the height of the toilet flange after installing the plywood to maintain the proper height for the wax ring seal. Fasten the new subfloor patch in place, screwing … It uses either a metal or plastic ring that can render your toilet unusable if broken. Step 6: Reconnect the water supply hose. 10. By installing the flooring first, you will also be able to more easily switch up cabinetry or fixtures, without having gaps in the flooring. A toilet flange is a component that holds your toilet to the floor. If your toilet flange is below the grade of your plywood subfloor, you may need to use a flange extender to adjust it to its proper level. If you’re installing a pedestal sink, while it’s heavy, the floor should still be able to expand and contract properly. There’s no need to use an adhesive when installing a gasket-sealed PVC flange. Most plywood subfloors measure 3/4 inch thick to provide a sound and stable surface for finished flooring. If the floor is rotting away, then it will not last for long! If you have additional questions on how to properly install laminate flooring in a bathroom, feel free to ask them in the comment section below! If you’ve already laid your flooring, and the toilet flange is too high or unlevel, there are a few things you can do. Not a big deal, just a good thing to know. It is always in your best interest to measure the area more than once. (Thin flooring) I replaced a toilet the other day, and we noticed that there was a bit of leaking around the base of the toilet today. If a proper seal is not achieved it will result in leaking. Does the toilet flange go inside or outside the pipe? I'm installing a new toilet flange, sub floor and about a 12" section of 3" drain for the toilet. Rotted Subfloor and Tough Flange [ 2 Answers ] Hi, Recently I bought a new townhome built in late 60's. 9. Ferguson is a self-employed, licensed building contractor in Florida with more than 30 years of hands on experience experience focusing primarily on residential remodeling, repair, renovation and construction. 81,717 Views. Active 5 days ago. Just get a water closet with a 10″ rough-in. Once you have your measurements, you will need to remember them so that you can take them to the store and get the right amount of plywood for the job. Hi Lynne, thanks for your question. As for the toilet, you will want to get the flange to floor level. This may cause the toilet to rock in place as the subfloor bends under weight. Connecting a new toilet flange starts with removing the toilet to expose the flange underneath. If you’re simply replacing your toilet, and notice the center of your flange is only 10 inches from the wall, there’s no need to go through the hassle of moving the flange. Hi Todd, thanks for the question. If you discover minor rot around the toilet flange, install a closet flange support under the flange to transfer the weight of the toilet to solid wood. You will have issues if the flooring is above the where the toilet sits. As for the toilet, you will want to get the flange to floor level. Install the cabinets and then use a finishing molding around the edges to cover the expansion gap. Hi Jim, thanks for the question! My question is about the mounting flange that was on the floor, specifically regarding the height relative to the toilet. The old subfloor (both layers) was bad and I have the subfloor cut completely out but now I am stuck in that I cannot remove the flange from the pipe, I know the pipe is copper and I believe it is 3". Caulk will conceal evidence of leaking at the flange. Installing the flange lower, either flush with the finish floor or even lower on the subfloor will make for a bigger gap between toilet horn and flange. Am installing some allure vinyl floating floor in bathroom, I am also installing a new toilet flange and toilet since I replaced the subfloor there. It consists of a short length of 3- or 4-inch waste pipe connected to a metal or plastic ring. Or will the wax ring take care of the gap? You should always remove the porcelain fasteners and lay laminate flooring around them, but you may need to lay the laminate flooring over them. Save Share. Install the four screws into the holes provided to attach the flange to the drain. Attach the plywood section using exterior grade wood screws and a screw gun. Caulk around the base of the flange. Because laminate flooring floats above the sub-floor on top of underlayment, it will expand and contract slightly with the temperature and humidity of the room. Yes, it is possible to do the installation without a flange. Level the Toilet. If you’re installing cabinets or a vanity that is fixed to the flooring, you will install these first. If only the area directly below the flange is rotted, you can install a two-piece steel closet flange support. You’ve decided on the laminate flooring, the perfect pedestal sink, and a brand new toilet. A toilet flange is a fitting that allows a plumber to connect a toilet to the waste line. Set the toilet on top of the flange, making sure the two closet bolts pass through the holes in the toilet… Viewed 47 times 0. For proper installation, a toilet flange must always be installed and secured on top of the finished floor. In this case, we’d recommend going with a vinyl or tile floor. Installing the Bowl. Will the washer and dryer cause issues with the floating floor? So, what I am thinking is I basically cut a round or square I guess now that I think about it piece to go under the flange. Since a laminate is made from wood, it will absorb moisture, water and humidity causing it to buckle. Flange extenders are available at most home improvement centers and plumbing supply houses. Once the toilet bowl is full, flush it … Hi Carola, great question! The most important thing is not to push the baseboard too tight to the floor, and to leave the proper expansion gap, when you install the flooring and molding. For example, the overall size of your bathroom, locations of existing plywood, vanity cabinets and bathtubs can all dictate the size of the piece you need. It’s easier to get your flange flush with the floor if you first lay your flooring before you install the flange. Or can/should I mount the toilet flange to the tile, and use a standard wax seal? Then underlayment, if any, then toilet flange last. Robert Ferguson has been a writer since 2000. A minor, somewhat surprising, but consequential detail in toilet installation - do NOT caulk between the floor and toilet. It goes under the flange and transfers the load of the flange and toilet (and you) out onto more solid surrounding wood. March 15, 2016 Securing the Toilet in Place Set the toilet straight down on top of the flange. This flange is what holds the toilet down and from moving. Measure over from the adjacent wall nearest the toilet flange to its center, transfer the measurements to the plywood and extend the mark using the framing square in the same fashion as you did in Step 3. Cut the applicable size out of the sheet of plywood using a circular saw. They are easier to install than a typical wax ring, and there is less potential for damage during installation. then tile the floor and finally install the flange? vanity rest on the floor or do you set vanity then trim flooring to fit vanity. Precision cutting is key in this type of installation. Solve the problem with a metal flange support instead. Closet (toilet) flanges must be 1/4" above a finished floor. Minor wood rot around a toilet flange doesn't always mean you have to replace the subfloor. If the vanity is like a cabinet and will not have space between it and the floor, you will install the vanity and then install flooring around it. Closet bolts--typically one on each side--are inserted into the closet flange. If the flange is lower than or flush with the floor they make foam rings that cover the distance for a proper seal. For those planning to install a new floor, toilet or sink, you should remember to install laminate flooring under the sink or the bathroom. ? Drill a 3/8-inch hole in the outline of the circle through the plywood. This will help create a more water-tight seal between planks, which is where the floor will be the most prone to water damage. But you know that laminate flooring isn’t waterproof… so, do you install the flooring under the bathroom toilet and sink, or do you cut around it? Position the piece of plywood around the toilet flange. The ring has holes so you can screw the flange to the floor, and it also has two slots for the toilet bolts. It is basically just a matter of cleaning out the old parts and properly fastening the new ones. The floor helps you to fix the sink and toilet without leaving any gaps on the floor. Wear protective eye gear when operating power tools. Ask Bob and Betsy: Can I Use Laminate Flooring in a Bathroom? Secure the new flange to the subfloor with the provided hardware. Ask Question Asked 1 year, 1 month ago. That is because you have to install it in a wood screw or to the subfloor. Measure the radius of the toilet flange, and add 1/2 inch. The New Flange When ready to install the new flange, the process is the reverse of how the older one uninstalled. Now let’s discuss Toilet flange extender – A toilet flange extender fits over the existing flange to raise the drain connection to the surrounding flooring. A laminate will not be able to float under a cabinet. Next comes a wax ring, which can be pressed onto the bottom of the toilet or on top of the flange, and then the toilet bowl itself. We would love to help you! In lower level bathroom I removed the toilet which was mounted to the concrete floor. Caulking will trap the leak, directing it into the sub floor. Measure from the nearest wall to the center of the toilet flange, and transfer the measurement to the plywood using a pencil or carpenter's crayon. #3 - After your wax ring is set, remove the rag from the drain. If so, we’d recommend installing the vanity first and then doing the flooring so it does not go under the vanity. 8. Place the pointed end of the compass at the intersection of the two lines made in previous steps, and draw a circle. How to Cut Cement Board Around a Toilet Flange, How to Cut Out Rotted Wood by a Toilet Flange, How to Make the Floor Sturdier Underneath a Toilet, Ask the Handyman: Dry Rot in Sub-Floor Around Toilet, The Family Handyman: Replacing a Rotted Floor Under the Toilet, How to Replace a Rotten Floor Under a Shower. Next, take the extender, push it down through the center of the flange, and make sure it’s lined up properly. Continuing reading for important advice on setting a toilet flange to the correct height. 101 Laminate Flooring, 101 Questions Series Space the flange up off the subfloor so that the bottom of the flange will be on the finished floor. When remodeling a bathroom, homeowners often discover rotten flooring after they have removed the toilet. If the flange is set on the subfloor, you may need a flange extender. Concerned that the flange will not be set low enough in current state - don't want gap between toilet … PS I do not want to move or refasten the plastic flange that holds the bolts to mount through the toilet base because we have in floor heating and I do not know exactly where the tubes in the floor are located. The right height is important Several circumstances will dictate how large or small this piece needs to be. Use a ratchet wrench to tighten the four stainless-steel screws that secure the flange to the floor. Scrape Off the Old Wax Ring. Your email address will not be published. where should the mounting flange be located relative to the mounting surface for the toilet? I am installing a skirted toilet which means the trap and mounting nuts will be hidden. Since the new toilet will be mounted on top of the flooring, it will be about 1/4″ higher than the one I removed. There are two ways to begin installing a toilet flange: You can attach the new wax ring to the base of your toilet. I'm putting tile down, over Ditra, over the subfloor. You have to use a waxless toilet ring on a floating floor! The installation process is the same for a tile floor, a hardwood or carpeted bathroom floor. I am about to remodel our basement bathroom (concrete subfloor). Which is likely what cause your leak in the first place. Screw it to the subfloor with screws that are heavy and long enough to be loosened when installing the finish floor and then be tightened down. I understand you do not want to move the flange, so this could be something you will want to use a plumber for. The previous owner had the bathroom carpeted, which went around the toilet but not under it. To make it a cleaner install, could I use an inside pipe cutter to cut the cast flange off, then finish the floor (subfloor, tile, etc) then install the Oatey expander-flange thing Ive seen? First seat the flange where it should go and confirm that the toilet flange height will not be more than a ¼ inch above the finished floor. Then measure from the side wall back to the middle of the fla… toilet, flange is set from previous flooring do I need to get a spacer to raise it to flooring level. If it will simply sit on top of the flooring with legs, then the flooring will go throughout the whole space. 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