How To Install A Toilet Flange Extender?

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Last Updated on October 20, 2022 by acechapman

There’s a chance of a toilet leaking if it doesn’t fit properly on the flange. To ensure a perfect fitting, install a toilet flange extender.

Remodeling can add another layer to a toilet installation, which can make it more complicated. Old fixtures can sometimes break because of corrosion or inferior materials.

What is a Toilet Flange Extender?

The metal or plastic disc that the toilet bolts onto are called the toilet flange. An extender for the toilet flange helps reduce the difference between the standard toilet mounting height as well as that of the recessed one.

Such excess space occurs during bathroom renovation projects. The space between the toilet flanges and the new floor can be filled with a toilet flange extension. Thus, eliminating the possibility of leakage or incorrect fitting.

When do you need to get one?

The toilet flange’s bottom should meet the floor’s top. This will ensure the toilet’s bottom seals well.

In some cases, that might not be true. You will need to use a spacer or an extender.

These are just a few examples:

The flange that was already in place was not properly installed
When the damaged flange has been removed.
The new floor was installed, and the existing flange is now below the floor.

Types of Toilet Flange Extenders

These are the most popular extenders. Three things will help you choose the best one for you:

The current condition of the flange
How tall do you need to be
This is the material used to make the old flange.

Rubber Flange Extender

If the existing flanges are in good condition and the space between them is less than one inch, rubber “waxless” seals may be a great option.

These gaskets work in the same way as a wax ring, sealing the toilet at the bend. The large gasket gives the flange a slight lift.

Installing a rubber seal

As normal, slide the T-bolts into your existing flange. Then, place the rubber gasket over the bolts by aligning the holes.

Place the toilet as normal on top of the rubber seal without using a wax ring.

Plastic

A plastic flange extender has a new flange attached to a short length of pipe. The gasket seals the pipe to the existing flange. In order to level the new flange and the new floor height, spacers are used.

The plastic extender allows for the raising of the flange by more than 2 inches, as the spacers can be stacked endlessly.

Plastic flange extenders are limited to plastic pipes (3″ and 4″) only. So, if you have cast iron plumbing, you might need to order the gasket.

How to install a plastic toilet flange extender

Measure the distance between the floor and the top edge of the old flange with a tape measure. This will help you determine the size of spacers that you need to buy and use.
Once you have the spacers in place, slide the flange extender through them. Twist slightly to ensure a snug fit.
The T-bolt slots should be parallel to the wall. The included screws can be used to attach the extender to either the old flange or to the floor.
Then, install the wax ring or rubber seal to level the toilet.

Hybrid Or Repair Extensions

Hybrid extenders are more expensive and combine wax-less rubber seals, metal flanges, or both.

The feet of these hybrid extenders are usually shorter than spacers and protrude below the old surface. This can be very useful if the old flange is damaged or unable to hold the bolts.

Installation of a hybrid extension

These are the most recent devices so there is not yet a standard design. Mounting plates with screws are usually required to attach to the floor.

The gasket and flange will be locked into the mounting plate and sealed against existing pipes without the need for the old flange.

Additional bolts or screws may be used to attach the new flange to the plate. The rubber flange has been integrated into the design. The toilet can be installed using the T-bolts provided and without the use of a wax ring.

When to Use Wax and an Extender

Sometimes, you may not be able to use the extender in a practical manner. You may not be able to mount your extender properly if the old flange has broken or is in disrepair.

You may also not be able to purchase the right size extension for your pipe system if it is very old.

If that is the case, you may install a plastic toilet flange extender that does not have a gasket on a wax ring. Different manufacturers will have different mounting instructions.

It is crucial to read all labels as well as ensure that you get the right kit for you.

Flange extenders that are meant to be used in conjunction with wax rings most commonly have grooves at the bottom.

These grooves seal against wax and ensure a tight fit. The wax will fill any cracks or damage to the old flange, and provide a tight seal.

Once the extender has been installed, you can use a waxless seal to fix the toilet in its normal position.

You should not use two wax rings that are pressed together

Two wax rings can be used by people who want to do things quickly and cheaply.

Two issues result from this:

It may not be possible to install the toilet at this height using T-bolts.
Leakage can result if the two rings don’t seal well together.

If you require more material, there are larger wax rings that can be purchased. If you already have a properly installed Flange Extender, however, you don’t need one.