Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Toilet re-installation problem with wax ring

Hi all,

I am in the final stages of the tile project....re-installation of the toilet.

When I removed the toilet, I found that the flange was glued to the sewer pipe but was NOT screwed to the floor. To boot, it was broken on the right side and was mounted higher on the right side than the left.

Because the top of the tile came up tight underneath the flange, I had to mount the flange repair kit on top of the flange instead of underneath it.

I put the new wax ring on the flange, re-mounted the toilet, and found that it was not level. I wiggled and sat on it and couldn't get it leveled so I removed the toilet to see what I could do. I used a scraper to replace the wax around the flange and re-mounted the toilet.

When I flushed it, I had some water run out from underneath the toilet. Not a flood but enough.

I am trying to find out:

1) Was the leak because I removed the toilet once squashing the wax ring?

2) How do I know if I need an extra large wax ring?

3) Should I just have the flange replaced?

Thanks,
New

The flange is on top of the tile, and you added a repair flange to the top of that?? No wonder you can't get the toilet to sit flat on the floor! The flange is too high and won't let it.

Since the flange is broken anyway, pull the toilet and replace it.

I was afraid you would say that......none of this is optimal but is what I had to work with.

I have never replaced one....anyone know of a good internet guide to doing it (preferrably with pictures)? Or would I just be better off letting a plumber do it?

I have visions of somehow damaging the sewer pipe while trying to replace it.

Thanks,
New

A member "Dunbar Plumber" recently published an answer to a similar problem including a picture of his process which I think is one of the best. Use this link to get to it here:
Plumbing and Piping - DoItYourself.com Community Forums (http://forum.doityourself.com/plumbing-piping-31/)

Thank you!

I like his way of doing things and my flange is very similar (including the tile). My problem is that I have a metal spanner flange on the right side of my flange because the flange is so tight to the tile I can't get the spanner flange underneath it. So more or less, I have an uneven surface that I am trying to mate the underside of the toilet to. I think water is escaping near this as I now have a very small leak.

Not questioning Dunbar as I understand what he is showing. However, buttering the openings of the flange, what does that accomplish? If water and waste doesn't make it down the main chute and flows over the now buttered openings, will it not then just flow out from under the toilet?

Thanks,
New

If I am picturing your problem correctly you might try a flange extender under the flange to bring it up to level and the extender would seal off the possibility a leak under the old flange then use Dunbar's 2 wax ring system.