What Is A Toilet Flange?
Do you know what the purpose of a toilet flange is? Understanding your plumbing system is crucial to maintaining it. Learn about how your toilet works in our guide!
A toilet flange is a pipe fitting that helps to keep the toilet secured to the floor while connecting it to the drain pipes.
In short, a toilet flange serves two essential functions. Firstly, it secures the toilet bowl to the bathroom floor, which prevents it from wobbling and leaking whenever you use it. Secondly, it connects to the drain pipe so the waste can be carried away from the bathroom.
However, toilet flanges are made from various materials. For instance, PVC flanges are one of the cheapest options on the market. They are also resistant to rust, which makes them last longer.
Hence, it’s essential to learn about the materials, and we have compiled this guide to help you understand all its critical aspects.
As we’ve mentioned above, a toilet flange or a closet flange is made from different materials, each having its strengths and weaknesses. In this section, we have listed some of the most commonly used ones:
Stainless Steel toilet flanges are well known for being resistant to rust and corrosion, making them suitable for sealing your drain pipes. However, only the piece that fits the wax ring is stainless steel. The rest of the body is made from plastic, copper, cast iron pipes or cast iron toilet flanges. Stainless steel flanges are a good option for most cases, as they are durable and can withstand various environmental factors without developing rust or other problems.
Aluminium toilet flanges are incredibly lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable. They have a similar construction design to a stainless steel toilet flange since the ring is made from aluminium. If you are installing a toilet flange for the first time, aluminium flanges can be a good choice due to their ease of installation and long-lasting properties.
Copper flanges are available in two variants- soft and rigid. One of the critical benefits of copper is that it lasts long without getting rusted. Besides this, the material is biostatic; hence, you don’t have to worry about bacterial formation. Copper flanges are a good option if you want a reliable and hygienic solution for connecting your toilet to the drain pipe at the bottom of the toilet.
If you are on a tight budget, PVC toilet flanges are the best option. They are highly durable, lightweight and rust-resistant, which makes them a convenient choice for budget plumbing fittings. PVC flanges are also easy to install, making them popular for DIY enthusiasts and professionals.
Like copper, brass is corrosion-resistant and doesn’t act as a breeding ground for microorganisms such as bacteria. Apart from this, brass flanges are heat-resistant, which makes them ideal for the Australian summers. Brass flanges are a good option if you are looking for a long-lasting and hygienic solution, and they can be a great choice when replacing an old flange with a new one.
However, the brass flange can oxidise if it comes in contact with air. So, it would be best to be careful while installing a brass toilet flange.
Apart from understanding the different toilet flange materials, knowing how to install them is important since the most common problems occur during installation. In this regard, some of the common issues that you may face include:
If you notice that the toilet is backed up, you must use an auger to unclog the flange. Additionally, it would be best to regularly inspect it to detect any signs of corrosion or rust. If you spot rust on the flange, we recommend replacing it. This will prevent the drainage pipe from getting damaged and water leaking.
At times, you might notice the water pooling around your toilet, the source of which is a loose wax ring around the flange. You can fix this problem by installing a new wax ring or tightening the old one.
Installing toilet flanges is challenging but can be resolved if you take extra precautions. On that note, following our steps can prevent those problems from appearing.
Firstly, ensure that water closet flanges are made from durable materials such as PVC closet flange or brass. This will ensure that the new toilet remains in place for longer. It would be best to be careful when installing the flange in your drainage system.
If the drain pipes are short, you must install a flange extender to the drain pipe. On the other hand, you will need to cut the pipe if it is too long. And we highly recommend contacting a plumber if the flange still has a problem. Please speak with us today for professional and friendly plumbing service in Melbourne. The team at WP Plumbing can have your old toilet flange removed and have a new flange installed, repaired or replaced in no time!
With that, it’s a wrap. See you next time!
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