Home Improvement Bathroom Remodel & Repair Toilets

How to Install a Toilet Flange Extender

Aaron Stickley

Updated on 07/11/22

Reviewed by

Richard Epstein

Fact checked by

Jessica Wrubel

White toilet in bathroom with white and gray tiles and flange extender — The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview

Working Time: 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hrs

Skill Level: Intermediate
Estimated Cost: $25 to $35

In a typical toilet installation, the floor flange that sits inside the drain opening below the toilet should be positioned so that its bottom surface rests flush against the finished floor or no more than 1/4 inch above or below the floor. This ensures that the flange makes a watertight seal against the wax ring that fits between the drain opening and drain outlet (horn) on the underside of the toilet.

But if you add new flooring up to the edge of the flange, or if the flange wasn't installed properly to begin with, the flange may sit too far below the flooring level. Left this way, the toilet may not seal tightly against the drain, creating the potential for leaks around the base of the toilet. This is not only messy but is technically a code violation, so it's important to remedy the problem by installing a flange extender.

How a Flange Extender Works

A toilet flange extender fits over the existing flange to raise the drain connection in relation to the surrounding flooring. (Plastic flanges typically can't be removed because they're glued to the drain pipe.) Some flange extenders are plastic rings that come in various thicknesses. Others are very similar to a standard floor flange but have a slightly smaller pipe stub that fits inside the opening of the existing flange. Some include a special flange and several plastic spacer rings of different thicknesses to accommodate different flange heights.

Most extenders are secured by fastening them to the subfloor with screws driven through the holes in the old flange. To create a watertight seal, extenders include a rubber gasket or require sealing with caulk when they are installed.

Equipment / Tools

Adjustable wrench
Putty knife
Screwdriver
Rags

Materials

Mineral spirits
Silicone caulk
Deep seal wax ring
Toilet flange extender

The first step to installing a flange extender is finding an extender that fits your situation. There are many different brands and types, and you want to be sure the product fits your toilet before you gather the rest of your supplies and learn how to install it. Installation steps vary depending on the type of extender you buy, but the process is similar for all types.

Remove the Toilet

To access the toilet flange, remove the toilet from the drain and set it aside. This is done by removing the nuts holding the toilet onto the tank's bolts, then carefully prying the toilet away from the flange. You may want to first remove the tank from the toilet bowl to make this easier.

Tip

Be careful when removing or moving a toilet; the porcelain is fragile and can crack.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Clean the Flange

Clean the top of the old flange to ensure that the flange extension can sit neatly in place. If there is old wax on the flange, scrape it off with a putty knife, then remove the residue with mineral spirits and a rag.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Test Fit the Flange Extender

Check the fit of the flange extender, using one or more spacers, if included with the extender. The bottom of the flange extender should be flush with the finished floor or no more than 1/4 inch below or above the floor surface.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Install the Flange Extender

Remove any screws securing the old flange to the subfloor. You will likely use some or all of these screw holes for securing the flange extender.

Apply a liberal amount of silicone caulk along the bottom lip of the flange extender. Alternatively, if the flange extender comes with a rubber gasket, apply the gasket as directed by the manufacturer. Set the flange extender into place over the old flange, including any spacers, as needed.

Align the screw holes in the extender with the open holes in the old flange. Fasten the extender to the subfloor with the provided screws.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Reinstall the Toilet

With the flange extender in place, you can now replace the toilet. It is generally best to use a new wax ring when reinstalling the toilet. When using an extender, set the toilet using a deep-seal wax ring fitted to the horn of the toilet.

When the toilet is in place, run a bead of silicone caulk along the seam between the base of the toilet and the floor.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.