Fix-It Chick: Repair a toilet flange

A toilet flange ring is a metal or plastic ring attached to the drain pipe used to secure a toilet to the floor. If the flange is compromised, the toilet can become loose and water can seep out. A spanner flange is a semi-circular piece of metal designed to fill the gap between the broken portions of a toilet flange. A repair ring is a full metal circle that installs over the existing flange. Use a spanner flange or repair ring to repair a broken toilet flange.

Step 1: Turn off the water supply and flush the toilet. Hold the handle down to drain as much water as possible. Use a plunger to remove the excess water held in the trap. Once the water is drained, disconnect the supply line from the toilet tank.

Step 2: Remove the bolt caps on either side of the toilet base. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the nuts holding the stool in place. If the nuts are too corroded to remove, use a hacksaw to cut the bolts off below the nuts.

Step 3: Remove the tank lid and place it in a safe area. Lift the toilet up off the flange bolts and carefully set the stool to the side.

Step 4: Use a putty knife to scrape away the wax ring remnants.

Step 5: Slide the flange bolts out from the broken flange ring, and remove the screws holding it in place.

Step 6: If you’re using a spanner flange, begin by placing a toilet bolt through the bolt hole in the spanner flange.

Step 7: Align the screw holes in the spanner flange with the screw holes on the broken ring. Slide the spanner flange under the broken flange ring, between the floor and the ring. If necessary, pry the existing flange up slightly to allow the spanner flange to slide under the flange ring. For tight fits, use a hammer and a chisel to tap the spanner flange into place.

Step 8: Secure the spanner flange to the floor by installing screws through both the existing ring and the spanner flange.

Step 9: If you’re using a repair ring instead of a spanner flange, place the repair ring over the existing flange, align the holes and screw the ring securely to the floor.

Step 10: Reinstall the toilet and turn the water supply back on.

— Have a home improvement question for the Fix-It Chick? Email it to Linda Cottin at features@ljworld.com.