Toilet Plumbing Problem?

[cstlt166]

In preparation to tile a floor this morning, I removed the toilet. One of the bolts holding the bowl to the toilet receptor was rusty and the receptor was cracked at the small end of the slot where the bold head is placed. Even though the bowl (14-year old unit) appeared to be well seated on the wax ring, does the rusty bolt indicate a leak? Should the toilet receptor be replaced before I put tile the floor? [Note: our house has a concrete slab.]

Chuck St

[tomh]

The toilet flange should be replaced at this point. Its an easy repair, and you can simply unbolt the old one and apply a new metal ring or complete flange horn. It will make installing the new floor easier, and you will still need the wax ring.

Search toilet flange replacment if you want to learn more about flange parts. They are available at all plumbing supply stores and most home improvement centers. They are usually connected to the floor around the closet bend with wood screws. Pictures of some alternatives at this link:
http://www.quickfixplumbingproducts.com/closet%20flange%20extenders.htm

[Anonymous]

The flange should sit on the finished floor using screws or anchors of brass or stainless steel. It is not easy to replace the flange on a slab floor. If plastic you usually need an interior cutting wheel and if cast iron you will need an internal or exterior compression flange after you remove the lead and oakum.
If you keep your flange low you can install a spanner flange (shaped like the letter C) to regain your bolt hole. You will then need flange extenders.

[Author]

Posts