Toilet Flange Is Now Below Floor Level

It has to sit evenly on top of the finished floor.

Toilet flange is now below floor level.

The reason being is because the toilet recesses into the flange when fully installed but when the flange sits even or below the floor the toilet can t properly recess into the flange. This is very important. If the toilet flange is at the incorrect height it will cause problems with the toilet connecting onto the plumbing. Most extenders come with long bolts which may be necessary if the flange is below the floor level.

If your flange sits even or below the floor then it s wrong. The installation process is the same for a tile floor a hardwood or carpeted bathroom floor. That meant my toilet flange was now 1 25 below my new floor. When installing the toilet flange you need to check that it s the correct height and is also perfectly level.

Here you can see the results of a toilet having been installed on a toilet flange that is below the floor level. When the toilet was removed the toilet wax ring was still in its original shape. Large bolts thread up through. A toilet drain flange can sit above or below the finished floor level.

To get the necessary clearance from the floor you can add a toilet flange extender which is quick and easy to install. To make the long story short my thicker mortar bed mesh backer liner thinset and new floor tiles all added up to raising the overall height of the floor by approximately 1 25. A sign that the wax ring was not sealing the toilet from sewer gases or preventing water escaping from under the base of the toilet. Flange extenders are commonly sold in 1 4 inch and 1 2 inch sizes to raise the height of the existing flange 1 4 or 1 2 inch.

Even 1 4 inch thick tile over a layer of thin set adhesive can leave the toilet flange far enough below finished floor level to make it difficult to get a good seal.