How to Install a Toilet Flange (Updated March ’20)

If you’ve tried everything to fix your leaky toilet and just can’t seem to make the leaks stop for any substantial amount of time, you may find yourself in need of a new toilet flange. The vast majority of people who get a new flange will find themselves enlisting in the aid of a professional to come in and undertake the installation. As you’re about to see; however, installing a new toilet flange yourself is actually a rather easy ordeal once you know what you’re doing. By following the below steps, you’ll find yourself saving a whole lot of money that would otherwise be spent on installation costs.

STEPS

1. Turn off the toilet’s water supply. Look for a lever or turning handle of some sort on the pipe leading up to your toilet. This step is essential, as it will prevent water from spraying everywhere.
2. Take off the water hose completely. Leaving your hose on is a big no-no. At its base, you should see a little fastening device. Simply unscrew this device to remove the hose.
3. Empty your toilet. Simply hold the plunger down until all of the water has drained.
4. Take the toilet off of the floor. Remove the screws which hold it to the ground and put your toilet off to the side.
5. Remove the flange. Use a knife to clear out any sealing agents which may be covering it, then simply unscrew it from the ground and toss it to the side. Beware – this might get a little messy.
6. Screw your new flange into the same spot in which your old flange sat.
7. Underneath your toilet, you should see a bit of residue left behind for the old flange’s sealing agent. This is where you’ll apply your new flange’s sealing agent.
8. All done! Simply place your toilet back in its original spot, screw it in, reconnect its water hose, flip the lever or turn the handle until the water comes back on and fill your toilet up with water. The toilet is now ready for regular use.

TIPS

There are a few measures which should be taken during the above steps for the sake of safety and cleanliness.

1. Get your new flange on as fast as possible. The second you take your old one off, whatever gasses may be in the sewer directly under your home now have free roam of your bathroom. As such, the leak needs to be closed as quick as possible.
2. Wear a mask or work in a well-ventilated area. It’s bad enough that these gasses are being released into your bathroom, the last thing you need is to breath them in.
3. Don’t smoke. Methane may come up from the sewer while undergoing this process. Methane and open flames don’t mix.
4. Wear gloves. Everything that goes down your toilet passes through the flange. This is the last thing you want on your hands. Without gloves, you can be sure you’ll be spending a long amount of time cleaning yourself after everything is all said and done.
5. If your new flange doesn’t come with a wax ring (sealing agent), be sure to pick one up at the store. These rings are mandatory.