How to Replace the Toilet Flange (with Pictures)

2025 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2025-01-24 13:28

The flange connects the bottom of the toilet with the drainage duct in the bathroom floor. When the toilet leaks from the base you will probably need to replace the flange.

Steps

Step 1. Place newspaper or towel on the bathroom floor

You will use them to put the toilet on it after disconnecting it from the flange.

Step 2. Close the water valve

Step 3. Disconnect the water hose

Step 4. Pull the water to empty the cassette

Step 5. Loosen the nuts securing the toilet to the ground using your hands or a wrench

Keep them safe because you will need them later.

Step 6. Remove the toilet and place it on the newspaper or towel you placed on the ground earlier

Step 7. Remove the wax from the flange gasket using a putty knife

Step 8. Remove the screws holding the flange in place with a screwdriver

Step 9. Remove the flange and clean it in the sink or with disinfectant wipes

Step 10. Block the duct with a cloth to avoid bad odors from the sewer

Step 11. Measure the diameter of the sewer pipe using a tape measure to know which flange size to buy

Step 12. Take the flange to a hardware store and buy one of the same size and model

Step 13. Buy a new gasket (wax ring) in the same shop

Step 14. Remove the cloth from the duct

Step 15. Secure the flange using the new bolts

They will serve to fix the flange in the bottom of the toilet.

Step 16. Use a screwdriver and new screws to secure the flange to the floor

Step 17. Raise the toilet and put the wax ring at the bottom in place

Step 18. Put the toilet on the flange, aligning it with the new bolts

Press down to seal the disc ring.

Step 19. Replace the nuts to secure the toilet

Use your hands to squeeze them and then the key to secure them well.

Step 20. Reconnect the water hose

Step 21. Open the water valve

Step 22. Tug on the water to make sure everything is working fine and there are no leaks

Advice

If there is a leak at the bottom of the toilet and you remove it, sometimes the flange may not be damaged. If this is the case, replace the wax ring and see if the leak is still there.
Instead of putting the toilet on the newspaper or towel, place it inside the bathtub or shower tray to better contain water leaks.

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