i recently had hardwood floors installed through the first floor of my house, including the bathroom. This is a two story house. the floors were about 3/8 inch plank and were laid on top of 3/4 inch plywood. No work was done to raise the toiled flange which is roughly flush with the concrete slab subfloor. extended height wax ring or two were used to reseat the toilet. the 1st floor bathroom is getting a bit stinky and there are signs of water damage in the wood around the toilet base. i suspect the toilet ring has failed and is leaking. i think that in order to permantly correct the problem the height of the toilet flange will have to be raised so that the dimension between the top of the flange and the bottom of the toilet is within correct range. note - am aware that there could be other problems, like cracked toilet, ect. this toilet has clogged on occasion and has been subject to vigourous plunging.

questions:
1. how do you go about raising the height of the old toilet flange so that i have the correct gap between flange and toilet?

2. What is the correct distance between top of flange and bottom of toilet. Does the top of flange need to be flush with the floor, or what?

3. Are there any do-it-yourself type parts or kits avaliable for this job. Am fairly skilled. pulling toilet, reseating toilet ect. no big deal to me.

4. where can i get these parts, if avaliable.

your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you much.

 

1. how do you go about raising the height of the old toilet flange so that i have the correct gap between flange and toilet?

It can be done, but I don't think you want to. Two wax rings work fine for most people. But the wax rings with plastic sleeves. Perhaps it was just poorly done the first time.

If you want, you can buy an extension ring for the flange.

2. What is the correct distance between top of flange and bottom of toilet. Does the top of flange need to be flush with the floor, or what?

Normally the "bottom" of the flange is flush with (i.e., sitting on) the finished flooring. Thus the top of the flange is slightly above the finished flooring. There is quite a bit of flexibility to these measurements, however. A flange too low is better than a flange too high (nothing worse than a toilet that rocks). One wax ring is okay whenever the top of the flange is not lower then the finished floor.

3. Are there any do-it-yourself type parts or kits avaliable for this job. Am fairly skilled. pulling toilet, reseating toilet ect. no big deal to me.

Home Depot has everything you need.

4. where can i get these parts, if avaliable.

Home Depot has everything you need.