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Author:
dcraig1357 (VA)
I am remodeling our bathroom and found leaks under the toilet due to a broken toilet flange. My problem is hard to explain, so please forgive my clumsiness....
Instead of a flange thats in on piece as I'm used to seeing, it looks like the previous owner inserted a a bell-shaped piece into the drain pipe (it inserts into the drain pipe flares out like the end of a trumpet). He then put a few inches of concrete around the bell shaped piece and stuck metal flange replacement hardware into it. I'm not a plumber, so maybe this is a method? Anyway, I removed the concrete with the metal flange pieces, but I'm now stuck with this bell-shaped piece inserted into the drain pipe.
The drain pipe is even with the subfloor and the top of the bell is about 2" over that. I thought about cutting it off at the top of the drain pipe or maybe chiseling away the pvc bell piece. I'm not really sure what to do but I need to figure this out before I can repair the floor and continue.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
-Dan
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
Is there any way you could show a picture of what you have there ?
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
I am going to assume that this is going into a slab foundation and you don't have any access underneath? If you do have access, then this will be a completely different repair, but the first move I would recommend is to put a towel or large trash bag into the drain to prevent debris from falling inside, and next I would remove the contraption that someone installed. 2 pieces of information are vital at this point. 1. What is the inside diameter of the pipe in the floor? 2. what is the difference in height between the pipe and the finished floor?
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Author:
packy (MA)
sorry to disagree with my friend from MO but i never recommend anyone put a towel or plastic in their drain as a temporary plug. always stuff it with newspaper. if it ever falls in it will disolve.
maybe i'm a pessimist but better safe than sorry..
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Author:
KCRoto (MO)
Plastic bags and towels are easier to remove with a snake if anyone forgets as they don't fall apart.
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Author:
dcraig1357 (VA)
Gentlemen,
Thank you very much for your offer of help. I ended up using a hack saw to cut the drain pipe even with the sub-floor. There was still some glued pieces of the flange (the bell shaped piece) inside the drain that I had to chisel away. With that clear, it looks like I can insert a new 3" flange into the drain and have enough room for the floor build up. I think I'm all clear.
Thanks again. This site is great.
-Dan
Edited 1 times.
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