Troubleshooting: Broken Toilet Flange or Improper Installation

A broken toilet flange can result in your toilet not functioning correctly, but the same problem can be caused by improper installation. Being able to tell the difference between a toilet which has a broken flange, and one that has been installed incorrectly will be very helpful, as it should make it much easier to fix the problem.

The flange is the piece of pipe that connects your toilet to the waste pipe. On older toilets it consists of cast iron, but on more modern toilets it is made from PVC, which is much easier to work with.

Whether the problem is caused by a broken toilet flange or poor installation, the result is likely to be the same, as there's a good chance that you will need to replace the flange anyway. Improper installation will normally damage the toilet flange. A leaking toilet isn't the most pleasant thing in the world, which is why it's important to get it fixed as quickly as possible.

1. Flange too Low or High

The problem can sometimes be caused because the flange is too low or high in the floor. This problem is a result of poor installation and is normally caused by removing or adding a floor. If the toilet flange is below floor level then screw-in extenders can be used to make it higher. If the flange is below floor level it's possible to use a toilet plate, which will lift the entire toilet up slightly. You could also talk to a local plumber to help with this problem.

2. Checking the Toilet

The toilet flange should not normally become damaged because it doesn't need to move or do anything. This is unless your toilet is rocking. If your toilet is wobbly there's a very good chance that this has caused significant damage to the toilet flange. If you're toilet rocks then you can probably assume that it's caused harm to your toilet flange, which will then need to be replaced.

3. Checking Condition

Actually visibly inspecting the toilet flange should give you an idea of what is happening with your toilet. The flange is pretty simple, and if it is broken or damaged it should be fairly noticeable. If anything has snapped off or cracked it suggests that the toilet flange is broken and needs fixing.

4. Replacing the Flange

Based on your own flange problems you can decide whether to replace the whole flange or simply use a reinforcer. Reinforcers are clipped over part of the flange to give it extra integrity. If you are working with a PVC flange this will be very simple, although working with cast iron flanges can be much more complicated.

It's not possible to connect cast iron directly to PVC, which is why any DIYer should buy an adapter to connect the two parts of the flange together. Once the flange is repaired make sure that your toilet is securely bolted down and that it won't move or rock. A rocking toilet will cause a lot of damage.