What details should I consider when replacing my toilet whilst adding 1" of height to the bathroom floor?

Question

I am replacing the toilet in my bathroom.

After I take it out, I plan on laying down a 3/4" piece of plywood to strengthen the floor. Then I'm going to tile it with 1/4" inch thick self-adhesive tile. Giving me a grand total of one inch of added heighth.

Don't I have to extend the flange, that the toilet bolts to, one inch to compensate? How do I do that? Do they make extensions? What do I need to know before I go and ask for the extension (if they make one)?

Answer 1

One inch is a long way to raise the flange. If you could put in a new one that would be idea. If not they do sell flange extensions at any major hardware store. They are usually 1/4". You would want to get as many as you could to bring it close to your new finished floor with out going over. You would want to use silicone to attatch them together and to the flange. Allow them to dry long before you put the toilet on. If they end up below the floor height you can buy a extra thick wax ring. Many of the wax rings come with new bolts to hold the toilet down. When you get the toilet on caulk around the base of the toilet and your done.

Answer 2

The best way to do this is to replace the flange. If you have access to the crawlspace it is really simple. All you have to do is cut the old pipe. Install the flooring you want. Then reconnect the old pipe and flange with a coupling. If your plumbing is the old cast-iron and not PVC the process is the same with two differences. 1) Cutting the pipe will be harder. 2) You'll use a rubber fernco coupling instead of the PVC coupling. They do make extensions for toilet flanges but I never liked them because they have a tendency to loosen over time and leak.

Answer 3

Yes there are extensions for this very thing. A big hardware store will have it. Just know beforehand the I.D. = inside diameter of the flange, cast iron or PVC, and don't forget to buy another wax ring if your toilet style is an old model installed years ago. (common in the US)
You'll have to consider the two bolts that are on either side of the toilet base. Are they rusty? Change to stainless steel, or do you call that INOX in Europe? (whilst...)
Making the toilet height HIGHER than it used to be on the old floor is uncomfortable. But lowering it one inch will not. (in my experience of doing it the wrong way, long ago.)

Answer 4

Yes, they do make flange extensions....
home depot (i think) has them, I picked one up about
6 years ago.

The one I got bolted on to the old flange... if your existing
flange is in poor condition it may not work.

You may be able to remove the old flange. and put a new one
on -- depends on what your existing floor is (if it is wood,
it would be easier for you).

If you have a problem, a plumber can take care of it for
you - less than an hour.

Answer 5

You might also consider how the raised floor will effect your shower/bathtub. and any wall mountings. As for the bolts you need to reset them when you change out the floor, you can just raise the floor around them.

Answer 6

try homedepot, they seem pretty good at answering this kind of stuff, sorry i cant help ya.