Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Toilet flange too low, existing bolts too short

Hi,
I am in the process of redoing our bathroom, putting on tiles instead of the previously existing linoleum. It was obvious after removing the toilet that our existing flange would be too low after adding 1/2 inch plywood and the tiles. Now I had been sold flange extender, in plastic with caulk to seal them. So my first question is, will that do the job?

Second, well something is in the flange itself. I am told it is completely normal, but the problem is, it is preventing me from removing the current bolts, which are too short for the toilet. Without any mortar for the tiles, the bolts are barely peeking through the holes in the toilet. Now I do have longer bolts, but as I said I can't take out the old ones, nor put in new ones. Could I use some female/female couplers to extend my bolts?

Thanks,
Alexandre

Alexandre,
Sounds like yer on the right track. Are the existing bolts in the slotted holes of the flange, on the left and right of the drain? You should be able to slide them to the larger part of the hole and turn them 90 degrees, then they should come out with a wiggle.

I have seen supposedly pro installed flanges with the elongated holes not used, dont know why.

Also, I believe you should anchor the extender to the subfloor thru the old flange as well, using stainless screws or tapcons. If thats not possible (why not?) you would have to clean the old flange well, glue the extender on with 100% silicone, and let it cure. The extender could slip if you set the bowl on fresh silicone btwn the flanges.

I'm sure a real pro will weigh in...

Thanks Gunguy,
I'm glad to see that should do the trick. The bummer is that there is a piece set in the flange, apparently made of lead (so am I told). It is actually sitting on the top of the flange and extends inside. Pulling on it lifts the whole flange with it. Now this darn piece blocks the elongated holes, so that I cannot slide the screws out. I could not, similarly, screw the extenders in the subfloor through the flange, as that "thing" is in the way. I have pictures but don<t know how to post them!

The guys from the hardware store, with their supra-wise and knowledgeable advice (detect the irony here) advised calling in the plumber. Sounds logical, but potentially frightfully expensive just to basically install new bolts.

This is my first DIY project and so far it's not going well... :wall:

Ah well... one learns :o

Cheers,
Alex

If your existing flange lifts when you pull on the "mystery piece", then it's not anchored to the floor... This is very important! Your new flange must be anchored properly to keep your toilet from rocking.... Don't know if you can figure out how to remove the "mystery piece" - but that would be where I would concentrate my efforts for now...

If you simply cannot get it out - the old bolts can be cut off with a hacksaw - as the new flange extender should have slots for your new bolts...

Thanks for the reply again,

I have somewhat figured out what the mystery piece is: actually, it is the piping! I am told (by the hardware story guy arguably) that my piping is probably lead, but what I know is that it sits atop the flange. The pipe is about 1/2 inch larger right under the flange. I wanted to do a drawing but it doesn't seem like it is working

When I pull on the piping, the flange does not move, but the pipe lifts until it hits the protruding bit.

Anyway... I'll probably end up calling the plumber.

Alex

Try again to see if you can attach a picture so we can see what the problem is. Don't give up yet!