A closet flange seals a toilet to the floor using a wax ring. It consists of a plastic hub and steel mounting ring, but can also be made of brass, copper, or stainless steel. The steel ring secures the flange to the floor and doubles as a mounting bracket for the toilet. A flange extension can be used if the new flooring is too high. Different heights and offsets are available for toilet remodels.
A closet flange is a device used to seal a toilet to the floor. A cabinet flange typically consists of a plastic hub and a steel mounting ring. Other materials sometimes used to make a closet flange are brass, copper, and stainless steel. The cabinet flange commonly fits over the drain pipe and is mounted to the floor with screws or nails through the steel mounting ring. A wax ring is used to seal the fit between the toilet and the cabinet flange, and the toilet is bolted to the steel ring and not to the bathroom floor.
In what is commonly the highest volume waste system in a home, the closet flange maintains a leak-free path with no actual contact between the toilet and the waste pipe except a soft, pliable wax ring. Derived from the term water closet, the closet flange is the engineering marvel that made home toilets a reality. Often times, this flange will last a lifetime with no leaks or accidents; however, sometimes it becomes necessary to replace the flange, the toilet or the entire fixture in the case of a bathroom renovation.
In the typical configuration, the steel or plastic waste pipe is placed under the bathroom floor and sanitary ware. The cabinet flange is placed over the drain pipe and glued in place with the same glue used to complete the rest of the plastic plumbing. To prevent the pipe from developing a crack or leak caused by movement, the steel mounting ring is secured to the bathroom floor with screws or nails. This steel ring doubles as a mounting bracket for the toilet as the bolts positioned through the ring project up and through the mounting holes cast into the base of the toilet. This ensures that the toilet does not move separately from the waste pipe and flange.
In cases where you are applying new flooring directly over an existing floor or placing ceramic-type tiles on the floor, the flange may become too shallow to provide an adequate base for the toilet. In this situation, a flange extension can be used to raise the height of the flange to the level of the new floor. By following the installation instructions, the new flange can be installed without incident and the toilet will function as intended. You can also purchase a cabinet flange in different heights and offsets to accommodate a toilet remodel and relocation.
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