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.