The Closet Flange Spacer Installation

If you recently installed a new floor in your bathroom and have discovered that your toilet leaks, you may need a closet flange spacer. A closet flange is the metal or plastic ring that your toilet is secured to. To prevent leaks your flange must be the same height as your floor or your toilet will not seal properly. Installing a closet flange spacer will require the removal and reinstallation of your toilet.

Shut off the water to your toilet by using the shutoff valve. The shutoff valve is usually located on the wall behind your toilet. Flush your toilet after you have turned off the water to drain out as much water as possible. Use a wet vacuum or old towels to soak up any remaining water in the tank and the bowl of your toilet.

Disconnect your water line from the shutoff valve and remove the nuts on the closet bolts. Remove the closet bolt caps with a flat tip screwdriver. Place the tip of your screwdriver at the base of the cap and pry upwards. You will need a set of wrenches to loosen the connection on the water line and to remove the nuts on the closet bolts. Turn the waterline connection and the nuts counterclockwise to remove them. Slide the two closet bolts out of the existing flange. When you install your spacer you will use longer bolts.

Lift your toilet straight up and set it on old towels in your bathtub if it is nearby or set it on old towels on the floor. Remove the wax ring from the center of the flange and clean any remaining wax off of the flange with a putty knife. You cannot reuse the wax ring once you remove your toilet.

Wipe down your existing flange with mineral spirits and a rag. Your flange must be clean and free of wax before your install your flange spacer. Place the rubber gasket onto the center of your existing flange and then place the plastic spacer onto the gasket. Slide the new closet bolts into the same holes from where you removed the old closet bolts. There is a notch and groove on both sides of your flange. The notches allow the wide end of the bolts to fit into the flange. The grooves allow you to slide the bolts forward to where they will not come out. Your bolts should be evenly aligned directly across from each other. Slide the plastic spacer down over the bolts so that it lies flat on top of the rubber gasket.

Place a new wax ring in the center of your flange with the rounded edge of the wax ring facing up. Lift your toilet and align the holes in the base with the closet bolts in the flange. Set your toilet straight down over the closet bolts and lower it to the floor. Press down on your toilet. Do not rock or lift it. This will destroy the seal created by the wax ring. Place the nuts onto the closet bolts and tighten them with a wrench. Be careful not to overtighten the nuts or you will crack the base of your toilet. Reconnect your waterline and turn the water back on. The new flange spacer should completely resolve your leaking toilet problem.