Remove old broken iron flange?

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mikel68

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My toilet was a "rockin" so after removing to reseat, discovered a bit of a mess. There was a newer universal flange that I removed. Then cleaned up any residue, and found an old iron flange underneath that looks broken. I was not able to pry it up, and there are not any screws holding it down. I am wondering if it is attached to the lead pipe, as one piece or soldered.

I thought about just putting a new flange over it as I had found, but the available screw holes in the old flange are useless as the holes into the subfloor are stripped or rotted, and won't hold a screw any longer.

So, I am thinking about trying to remove the old flange, before mounting a new one.
 

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Gary Swart

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Most likely the old flange is attached to the drain with a lead/oakum joint. These are not impossible to remove, but are very difficult for a DIY. The lead has to be drill out with as many holes as possible then the remainder pried out. A plumber could do this in less time than it will take you to figure out how to get to it. If you have access from under the floor, you could cut the cast iron pipe before it gets to the bend, then use a no hub connector to transition to PVC and go from there with PVC and a new flange. IMHO, this is one job you should pay the professional to do.
 

mikel68

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Thanks Gary! That was pretty helpful. Since my wife and I are saving to do a full remodel of this bathroom later this year, I'm going with a temporary fix for now, and when the bathroom remodel comes around will have a professional handle a nice permanent correction for the drain. Luckily it looks like there is access from below for a pro to get at it.

Basically, I cleaned up the area, chiseled out a little of the tile, and am going attaching a new universal flange over the old iron one. I drilled a couple of new holes through the old flange for attaching the new one. As long as I get everything level and the toilet sitting flush with the floor, it should be good to go, without any rocking.
 

Gary Swart

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It sounds like it will work OK from your description. We have so many people write in to this forum with problems with toilet flanges after they have finished their remodeling jobs, so it is refreshing to have someone seek advise before they bull ahead and do it wrong. It's my position that a toilet is one job that should only be undertaken once in 50 years or so. I want to set it and forget it.:)
 
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