The toilet needs to be placed properly and definitely, should not go wibbly. You would not want the toilet to make noises or become wibbly after installing it. Moreover, proper fixation is required. Otherwise, there can be smell problems or you may need to even change the toilet.
Following the below, tips and information regarding toilet flange and how high it should be would give you an idea on installing it.
Toilet flange height
Toilet flange height has to be ¼ inch from the top of the floor. Remember the flange has to be located right above the finished floor. If not, you might need to use a flange extender to fix the flange height. This would place the toilet in place while making the drainage system right.
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Toilets are always placed in a particular space and of course, are unmovable. What would it feel like, if the toilet becomes wobbly when you are using it? Probably it might feel like it’s an earthquake. To prevent such earthquakes, a flange is needed to be placed in the right way in the toilet.
Above tile:
The flange would certainly need to be placed just above the tile. Well, this is way more convenient. You need to finish the floor first, then proceed to place the flange. Though it would make a hole in the tile, still it has better security options.
Well, the flange needs to be placed just above the floor at a height of ¼ inch. As a result, it would be far from the drainage pipes and would be closer to the floor. Well, right above the floor. Placing the flange in such a way would benefit while putting the wax ring above the flange.
A Wax ring thus can be placed above the tile and would protect the flange from getting any bacteria or molds. As a result, the toilet would be in place due to the flange and other smelly problems would not occur due to the use of wax rings.
Above subfloor:
You can put the flange on top of the subfloor yet it is not recommended. Subfloors are not suitable for handling the flange. Well, the subfloor is no different from a top floor but the problem would be with the flange placing.
As the flange has to be above the floor at a height of ¼ inch, placing it on the subfloor would place the flange in the lower level. As a result, when you are putting the tile, the tile would no longer be with the flange. Instead, it would look as if the tile is on the top and the flange is on the pipe.
You would need to use a flange extension to increase the height of the flange and make it to the top. Otherwise, the lower flange would damage the floor and toilet and also could cause leakage of water. Even though tiles might get cracked due to the flange placing yet it is the best option.
Above finished floor:
Placing the flange right above the finished floor is also fine. If your last stoppage is to put tiles on the floor then the finished floor should be covered with tiles. Remember that, the finished floor has to be the last connection where the flange has to be put.
Once you put the flange above the finished floor, you would notice the flange is at the height of ¼ inch. You can proceed further by setting the flange with screws and positioning the wax ring. Lastly, setting up the toilet.
Should the toilet flange be level with the floor?
No, the toilet flange should not be on the same level as the floor. If by chance there is an error and the flange was settled on the same level as the floor, you need to correct it immediately. You can put flange extensions to increase the height of the flange.
As a result, the flange would still connect the toilet to the drainage pipe and there would be no gap. Well, the flange is mainly settled to create a connection between the flange and the toilet. So, the toilet sits in place and the drainage becomes perfect.
But putting the flange on the same level as the floor can create a leakage. Moreover, the toilet can become a bit wobbly. In severe cases, you might need to change the toilet or fix the flange again. Better to solve the problems at once.
2 factors that determine toilet flange height
The toilet flange is necessary to be placed in the right place with the right fixings. Otherwise, it would only cause trouble. Some may ignore some crucial points while installing the toilet flange. It later causes greater damage and suffering. Certain factors which determine the toilet flange height are given below.
Proper seal:
The ideal height for the flange is ¼ inch from the top of the floor. Well, it is determined for certain reasons. This height gives a better fixation of the toilet. The flange is mainly a place to provide a connection between the pipe and the toilet so that the wastes can move through the pipe easily.
The ideal height of the flange creates the connection between the toilet and the pipe and makes a proper seal. The seal is a solid one and would cause no damage to the toilet.
Preventing water leakage:
Toilet flange seals the top of the drainage pipe. As a result, no water or waste can leak through the flange space. Mainly you need to seal the space between the toilet and the pipe and that’s what the flange does. As a result, there is no space for air so that bo wastes leak.
If the flange is not placed at the proper height, there can be leakage and growth of bacteria and molds on the flange and wax ring. You would need to change the flange immediately then.
How to properly set your toilet flange height?
Setting the toilet flange at the right height would not only save your energy but also cost. You wouldn’t need to change the flange soon and as a result, there would be fewer expenses in comparison to when you need to replace the flange. You can set the toilet flange height by following below.
Set the flange:
Well, the flange comes with an ideal height which is ¼ inch. You just need to place it properly and fix it. The pipe should be fixed first and then the flange should be placed. The inner part would go inside the pipe and the outer portion would be held by the tile.
If the flange is placed too low, use an extension to increase the height. Use extension as long as the height from the top floor becomes ¼ inch. When it reaches the height, fix the flange and extension in place with screws. Lastly, put the wax ring on it.
The height should not be increased or lowered than the ideal height as it can lead to problems. Well, half of the problems caused in the toilet are indirectly or directly related to the flange. That’s why placing the flange in the correct way can prevent many problems.
How should a toilet flange sit?
The toilet flange should sit on the top of the floor. Well, it is more likely on the top of the finished floor where the height of the flange would be ¼ inch. If you are replacing the old flange, you should remove it and clean the part. The flange should not be sitting too low and neither high from the top floor.
When you place the flange above the tile, it would already have a height of ¼ inch from the floor. The standard flange size is 4×3 where the height when you put the flange would be ¼ inch from the floor. The lower portion would go inside the drainage pipe and the outer portion would sit on the top floor.
You should now fix the flange with screws in place and put wax rings on it. And finally, you can install the toilet without any further problems.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the toilet flange should not be located too high or too low from the finished floor. And should not be on the same level of the floor as well. The height should be ¼ inch from the top finished floor. As a result, the toiled would be in place and would cause fewer problems.