How to Install a Toilet Flange Extender – An Ultimate Guide

How to Install a Toilet Flange Extender – An Ultimate Guide

The drainage system plays a very important part in any house construction. If these connections are not installed properly you will definitely face some critical issues. Actually, this drainage system installation is one of the primary things in any house construction. So, there are chances that there may occur some changes while the construction process, and you will get some unexpected finished product.

Remodeling or adding floor layers can make the toilet installation more complicated and if the seat didn’t fit perfectly with the flange extender there are chances of its leakage. So this process should be done with great care and perfection to avoid any mess.

Don’t worry! I have brought an ultimate guide on how to install a toilet flange extender perfectly. Follow these simple and easy steps!

Toilet Flange Extender – Overview

A toilet Flange is made up of either plastic or metal that has bolts on it. While remodeling or adding different floor layers toilet flange may damage or go below the new floor surface. Here you need a flange extender to fit the normal toilet height.

This flange extender is useful in filling up the space created during renovation between the old floor and the new floor. It will eliminate the danger of leakage.

Toilet Flange Extender

Why do you need the Toilet Flange Extender?

There must be a perfect seal between the floor and extender to avoid any mess. There are many conditions that make you realize that now you need a toilet flange extender. Let’s discuss them:

  • The flange that you have installed is not perfectly fit
  • The flange may get damaged while the construction work or poor material
  • The remodeled floor is above the flange

If any of the conditions is observed it means that you need the one.

Read More: Quiet Flush Toilet For 2021

Types of Flange Extenders

There are different types of flange extenders available in the market depending on the condition you are facing. There may be  different types of scenarios

  • The existing flange is damaged
  • Space is created between the floor and the seat

Types of Flange Extenders

Rubber Flange Extender

These are waxless rubber seals that add an inch to the height of the flange. There is a gasket attached to it and its wax ring seals the space and eliminates the leakage risk.

 Plastic Flange Extender

There is a gasket attached to the plastic flange extender. This is helpful for a maximum of 2 inches of space. These plastic flanges are suitable for plastic pipes and if you have cast-iron pipes then these plastic flanges will not work for you.

So, make sure to purchase the flange that is suitable for your already installed drainage system.

Hybrid or Repair Extenders

More costly hybrid extenders consolidate the wax-less elastic seals with powerful plastic or metal flanges.

These mixture extenders normally have feet that jut down to the old surface rather than spacers. That can be advantageous when the old flange is disfigured or not, at this point ready to hold bolts.

Also Read: Best Low Flow Toilets in 2024

Working on the Flange Extender

A toilet flange extender fits over the current flange to bring the channel association up according to the encompassing ground surface. Some flange extenders are plastic rings that come in different thicknesses. Others are basically the same as a standard floor flange yet have a marginally more modest line stub that fits inside the kickoff of the current flange. Some incorporate an exceptional flange and a few plastic spacer rings of various thicknesses to oblige distinctive flange heights.

Most extenders are attached by securing them to the subfloor with tightens passed through the openings of the old flange. To make a watertight seal, extenders either incorporate an elastic gasket or will require fixing with caulk when they are introduced.

Working on the Flange Extender

What You’ll Need

  • Hardware/Tools
  • Movable wrench
  • Clay blade
  • Flange extender
  • Screwdriver
  • Materials
  • Mineral spirits
  • Cloth
  • Silicone caulk
  • Profound seal wax ring
  • Directions

The initial step to introducing a Flange extender is finding an extender that accommodates your circumstance. There are various brands and types, and you need to be certain the item accommodates your circumstance before you assemble the remainder of your provisions and figure out how to introduce it. Establishment steps shift contingent upon the kind of extender you purchase, however, the cycle is comparable for numerous types.

Remove the Toilet

To get to the toilet flange, remove the toilet from the channel and put it away. This is finished by eliminating the nuts holding the toilet onto the tank’s screws, at that point cautiously prying the toilet away from the flange. You may need to initially remove the tank from the toilet bowl to make this simpler. Be cautious while removing or moving a toilet; the porcelain is delicate and can break.

Read More: Best Power Flush Toilet

Clean the Flange

Clean the highest point of the old flange to guarantee that the flange extender can sit flawlessly set up. In the event that there is old wax on the flange, scratch it off with a clay blade, at that point eliminate the buildup with mineral spirits and a cloth.

Test Fit the Flange Extender

Test the flange extender, utilizing at least one spacer, whenever included with the extender. The lower part of the flange extender ought to be flush with the completed floor or close to 1/4 inch underneath or over the floor surface.

Introduce the Flange Extender

Remove any screws tying down the old flange to the subfloor. You will probably utilize a few of these screw openings for getting the flange extender.

Apply a liberal measure of silicone caulk along the base lip of the flange extender. On the other hand, if the flange extender accompanies an elastic gasket, apply the gasket as coordinated by the company. Set the flange extender into place over the old flange, including any spacers, depending on the situation.

Adjust the screw openings in the extender with the open openings in the old flange. Affix the extender to the subfloor with the gave screws.

Reinstall the Toilet

With a flange extender set up, you would now be able to supplant the toilet. It is by and large best to utilize another wax ring while reinstalling the latrine. When utilizing an extender, set the latrine utilizing a profound seal wax ring fitted to the horn of the toilet.

At the point when the latrine is set up, run a dot of silicone caulk along the crease between the foundation of the toilet and the floor.

See Also: Best American Standard Flushing Toilet

FAQ’s

When should you use a toilet flange extender?
Usually, when you renovate your toilet or add a different floor the gap between the seat and the flange causes the leakage this is the point when you need a toilet flange extender.
Do flange extenders work?
Yes, flange extenders eliminate the space between the old floor and the new one and eliminate the risk of leaking. These flange extenders are very helpful.
Can a toilet flange be too low?
When you renovate your toilet or add a different floor the flange goes below the new floor and creates a space between the seat and the flange causing leakage.

 

Final Thoughts

Flange Extenders are very helpful and can solve your toilet leakage problem that is really frustrating. These flanges are very easy to install but still take care while installing these new flanges.

If the toilet height is not proper there might be a wobbly toilet issue occur and the nuts and bolts will not fit well causing serious damage to your toilet.

So be careful while installing these flanges. Hopefully, this guide has helped you a lot in solving your query.

 

 

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