Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Installing a toilet flange
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Installing a toilet flange
DB_AG
02-21-07, 11:38 AM
Just had some repair work done on my bathroom. Main floorboard was replaced under toilet due to water damage.
Question: Should I install the toilet flange through the backerboard, or should I install it straight into the plywood?
Question: Should I install the toilet flange through the backerboard, or should I install it straight into the plywood?
Wirepuller38
02-21-07, 02:10 PM
The top of the flange should be flush with the top of the finished floor.
DB_AG
02-21-07, 02:30 PM
Understood. What gives me the best odds of accomplishing this - screwing the flange straight into the hardwood, or through the backerboard, which sits on top of the hardwood?
I have received 1 opinion for each argument, that's why I'm seeking feedback.
I have received 1 opinion for each argument, that's why I'm seeking feedback.
DaVeBoy
02-21-07, 06:26 PM
You have something ontop the hardwood, that you call backerboard? Explain this more.
HotinOKC
02-21-07, 08:13 PM
Future hopes of tile??!
Wayne Mitchell
02-21-07, 08:55 PM
DB AG - I think we're having difficulty understanding your terms. What are you calling "hardwood" and "backerboard:"? Do you intend to tile the floor?
A typical tiled floor could have a subfloor (1/2" plywood or possibly 1X boards) covered with an underlayment (3/4" plywood). Over that would be a cement based backerboard usually 1/4" thick. Tile is laid on the backerboard.
The toilet flange should sit on top of the finished surface. The back of the flange touching the tile or whatever the surface is. Screw through the finished floor into the subfloor.
A typical tiled floor could have a subfloor (1/2" plywood or possibly 1X boards) covered with an underlayment (3/4" plywood). Over that would be a cement based backerboard usually 1/4" thick. Tile is laid on the backerboard.
The toilet flange should sit on top of the finished surface. The back of the flange touching the tile or whatever the surface is. Screw through the finished floor into the subfloor.
DB_AG
02-22-07, 10:10 AM
Sorry if I confused the terms (used the term hardwood instead of plywood, duh!). I do plan to lay ceramic tile. I had a contractor replace the base floor (plywood) due to water damage.
The backerboard is what gets placed onto the plywood and then the tile gets laid on top of the backerboard. I guess the backerboard is used to seal the tile?
What I am trying to determine is at which point to screw in the flange. My plumber says to screw the flange right into the plywood, then have the tile guys come in and put the backerboard and tile around it.
My contactor (who put in the plywood) said to put the backerboard down first, screw in the flange through the backerboard and through the plywood, then lay the tile around it.
So I'm trying to see what you all would recommend?
The backerboard is what gets placed onto the plywood and then the tile gets laid on top of the backerboard. I guess the backerboard is used to seal the tile?
What I am trying to determine is at which point to screw in the flange. My plumber says to screw the flange right into the plywood, then have the tile guys come in and put the backerboard and tile around it.
My contactor (who put in the plywood) said to put the backerboard down first, screw in the flange through the backerboard and through the plywood, then lay the tile around it.
So I'm trying to see what you all would recommend?
HeresJohnny
02-22-07, 10:47 AM
As Wayne mentioned, the flange should sit on top of the finished floor. When you put down your cement board and set your tile, note where the holes will need to be for the flange and notch the cement board and tile accordingly. Notching the cement board and tile before you install them will allow you to easily screw the flange into the subfloor below. It will be a pia to drill the holes afterwards.