A toilet flange is a ring that attaches the toilet to the floor, and keeps the toilet usable and stable on the ground. If the flange becomes damaged or warped, the toilet can sit unevenly on the ground, and this can cause water to leak out from the base of the toilet, which can be a significant problem. Thankfully, if your flange does break or become damaged, you can easily replace it yourself with the proper tools and knowledge.

What You'll Need

You'll need an adjustable wrench, a putty knife, a replacement flange and wax ring, a crosshead screwdriver, and rags. All of these items can be found at most hardware stores if you don't already have them in your home.

Replacing a Toilet Flange

Lay the rags out on the ground away from the toilet. Once you've disconnected the toilet, you'll place it on these rags to prevent it from damaging the floor of your bathroom.

Turn off the water supply to your toilet. You can do this by turning the valve located behind the toilet, attached to the pipe that snakes into your toilet tank.

Disconnect the water supply hose from the toilet tank. This is either done by hand or with the adjustable wrench, depending on the model of toilet. Once the hose has been removed, keep flushing the toilet until it is empty.

Use the adjustable wrench to remove the nuts that attach the toilet to the floor. Then, lift the toilet and place it on the rags you've already laid out. The toilet flange and old wax ring should now be visible.

According to Lowe's, use the putty knife to clear away all the wax on top of the flange. Then, use the screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the flange in place. If you don't yet have a replacement flange and wax ring, wipe down the flange and take it to a home improvement store to find a suitable replacement.

Install the bolts onto the flange. They should be sticking upward to fit into the base of the toilet. Then, screw the new flange into the floor using the same holes as the old flange.

Turn the toilet upside down and press the wax ring into place on the bottom – there should be a ceramic hole that the wax ring surrounds.

Lower the toilet onto the flange, ensuring that the bolts on the flange go through the respective holes in the base of the toilet.

Tighten the bolts so that the toilet sits evenly on the newly installed flange. Reattach the water supply hose to your toilet tank, and turn on the water supply. You've successfully replaced a toilet flange and ensured that your toilet won't leak anytime in the future.

For more information, contact Qualtire Plumbing & Construction or a similar company.