skip to main content

toilet flange above floor

17 years ago

The top of my toilet flange is at least 1 inch above my finished floor (I have linoleum in the bathroom). I'm pretty sure I need to either 1.)lower the flange (which will probably be $$$) or 2.) raise the toilet. Does anyone know of a way to raise a toilet?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

fqp25
17 years ago
If you have the option, you should try to lower the flange. Raising a toilet can be a little difficult, and could cause unnecessary stress to the porcelain, and could cause it to crack. Plus it just looks funny, because you will need to seal the bottom part where the bowl meets the floor.
pickledseeds
Original Author
17 years ago
fqp: How do I lower the flange? I consider myself a good diy-er but when it comes to plumbing I'm not that knowledgeable.
Related Discussions
What came first, the floor or the toilet flange?
Q
Comments (1)
The thickness of the flooring should be known prior to setting the flange, that way the flange can be set to be flush to or slightly above the finished flooring. Worst case is for the flange to end up lower than the finished floor. The tiler could just tile, leaving clearance around the waste pipe. The plumber can come back later and set the flange in place, and waste away or drill through the tile where he need to in order to properly set the flange. If the tiler is there, let him tile. The plumber is accepting responsibility to set the flange after the tile is set. Minor point, for future work the tiler may want to keep a spare flange in his van or truck. Dry fit the flange, tile, pull the flange, and move on to the next job. Mongo
...See More
Toilet flange
Q
Comments (1)
Sorry, I also forgot to ask the dumb question about how to open up the drain? The plumber I hired to rough in the drain lines used toilet flanges with the solid PVC top covering the drain so he did not have to use a plug for testing. Before I go at it, should this be cut out? hack saw? saber saw? one hit with a hammer? what is the trick to open it up?
...See More
toilet flange higher than floor
Q
Comments (5)
That's true, I didn't consider that it might be cast iron. If's its in a basement, and the floor is easily replaced, it may be worthwhile to take up the flooring, open the slab and dig a little. Messy, labor intensive operation though. I guess the solution will depend on the location of the affected appliance and the tools/skill level of the homeowner. I think lazypups idea of using the sheeted PVC to make a shim in the shape of the bottom of the bowl is probably the simplest solution. You could probably easily fashion one yourself (plywood?) if you can't find the material locally.
...See More
Toilet flange too high - solutions that look good?
Q
Comments (13)
catbuilder, What did I say? I said I don't want to drive him off the edge; he's already close to going out of his mind from the kitchen remodel that is also happening right now. But I also say I won't go for a hackjob. Decision time is 1-2 weeks away it looks like. oneandonlybobjones, We have a plumber we already use for stuff like this, and I'm thinking he'd probably quote $300 for this job, which DH thinks is money not worth spending (and of course, I disagree). My wifely instincts are telling me that if I wait a few weeks DH may be willing to revisit the issue, otherwise he and I are gonna be at a stuck point because unless there is a proper solution that doesn't look like a hackjob I'm not gonna go for it. Closest thing so far is the toilet riser but it's plastic, which is a no-go in my book. I'd go for it if it was same material as toilet and less than $300. I'm really shocked though that it appears that there aren't already toilets manufactured with high bases. I have contacted 2 toilet manufacturers so far and got no response! Wow!
...See More
User
17 years ago
Sound to me like a good excuse to put in a tile floor.
fqp25
17 years ago
What kind of material is your drain pipes? Cast Iron, PVC, Copper, Galvinizerd Iron, Lead?
pickledseeds
Original Author
17 years ago
sbs: Yes, I agree but we will be selling the house soon so I don't want to put too much money into it.

fqp: I'm not sure. I think PVC??? The house was built in the early 80s.
fqp25
17 years ago
If it is PVC, and the bottom of the flange is off the floor high enough you can slip a hacksaw under it; you can cut it flush with the floor. Then you have to buy an "Inside Fit" closet flange, which slips inside the pipe. (to get this flange you'll probably have to go to a plumbing supply house instead of a Big-Box store)
pinocchio
17 years ago
Great question: "Does anyone know of a way to raise a toilet?"

Better believe it, CukeDuke. I was a witness to the failed raising of a love-child. ItÂs a lot easier to raise a toilet, if only because they donÂt give you as much crap. OTOH, when the question becomes Nature vs. Nurture, Nature wins hands-down in this forum.

Raising a toilet is hard, because they need to have a good, solid-education if you want them to go anywhere. (IÂm sure youÂve heard of potty-training.)

I know we donÂt actually need to invite Albert Einstein into this discussion, but he did say something about relativity that we can employ. Einstein would agree that raising a toilet is equal to lowering the flange. But itÂs a little scary.

I had an uncle who used to threaten: "IÂm going to lower the flange!" That scared the livinÂ stuff out of everybody. So naturally, it never went anywhere from there. He died much too early. HeÂs been inturd ever since. Tomorrow, I want tell you about my dear aunt. But, first, letÂs see if I still have a log-in.

Pinoke
pickledseeds
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks everyone. I'll be running out to Home Depot or Lowes and see what I can find.
rodney123
17 years ago
If the pipe is PVC or ABS the job of lowering the flange is a piece of cake. Simply use a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel, and cut the pipe about 1/2( to 1( below floor level from the inside of the pipe, then get a (Twist-N-Set( closet flange. The website below gives specific instruction for installing one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Twist-n-Set Closet Flange

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Floor-to-Ceiling Tile Takes Bathrooms Above and Beyond

By Becky Harris

Generous tile in a bathroom can bounce light, give the illusion of more space and provide a cohesive look

BATHROOM DESIGN Bath Remodeling: So, Where to Put the Toilet?

By By Any Design Ltd.

There's a lot to consider: paneling, baseboards, shower door. Before you install the toilet, get situated with these tips

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Install a Toilet in an Hour

By Innovative Design Build

Putting a new commode in a bathroom or powder room yourself saves plumber fees, and it's less scary than you might expect

BATHROOM DESIGN Now Featuring ... the Toilet!

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

No sense trying to hide it. Instead, show off your toilet with styles and shapes that carry through your décor

HOME TECH Meet the New Super Toilets

With features you never knew you needed, these toilets may make it hard to go back to standard commodes

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose the Right Toilet

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Style, seat height, flushing options, color choice and more will help you shop for the right toilet for you

LIFE The Absolute Right Way to Hang Toilet Paper. Maybe

By Mitchell Parker

Find out whether over or under is ahead in our poll and see some unusual roll hangers, shelves and nooks

BATHROOM DESIGN White Toilet, Black Lid: Trending in a Bathroom Near You

By Becky Harris

Contrast is king with this look for the bath — and it works with any style you can think of

BATHROOM DESIGN Here's (Not) Looking at Loo, Kid: 12 Toilet Privacy Options

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Make sharing a bathroom easier with screens, walls and double-duty barriers that offer a little more privacy for you

VINTAGE STYLE Vintage Style: High-Tank Toilets

By Mary Jo Bowling

Homeowners are adding the feeling of yesteryear in today’s bathrooms

Sponsored

More Discussions

kitchen Faucet Opinions Please

2

Pfister Contempra Shower

0

Shower faucet system

3

Kitchen / Bath faucets on Ocean

3

Why We Choose Stainless Steel Bathroom Accessories As Top One?

0