Most homeowners have a fundamental comprehension of how a toilet operates and how to address concerns of a more modest nature. However, there is a characteristic of the common toilet that many people don’t realize causes the dreaded leaks, and this feature is concealed and underestimated. This component is typically referred to as the toilet flange, but it is also sometimes called the closet flange.
If the flange on your toilet is damaged, loose, or poorly constructed, water can leak in from the base, which can cause flooding, water damage, and even the emission of toxic fumes in your bathroom. Your toilet flange needs to be inspected as part of your regular routine for maintaining your property. Not doing so increases the likelihood of small and major problems arising in the future.
Toilet flange is a type of pipe fitting that is used in the process of affixing a toilet to the drain pipe that is situated on the ground within a bathroom. This connection is essential for a toilet to have so that it can perform its functions correctly. It is also known as a closet flanged, which is another frequent name for it. The word “water closet” was previously and more commonly used to refer to a toilet; hence, closet flanges are inspired by this term. PVC, rubber, copper, brass, stainless steel, or metal are the most common materials used to construct closet flanges. Screws or bolts are utilized to secure the flanges to the wall.
Between the flange and the toilet’s base, a watertight seal can be achieved by using a rubber gasket in conjunction with a wax ring. Because of this, the flange will remain linked to the toilet rather than the floor in the future. Read our how-to tutorial on fixing a toilet flange before attempting the repair on your own if you are interested in doing it.
A closet flange is required to ensure that a toilet is built correctly and at the same level as the drain pipe. Theoretically, a toilet could be mounted directly to a floor or subfloor; however, this would only be a temporary solution before you had to repair or replace the floor or subfloor due to leaks and rotting wood. In other words, mounting a toilet directly to a floor or subfloor would be possible, but only as a theoretical possibility. In addition, you need to examine the flange connection to ensure that it is in a safe and secure position. That’s right, the flange that’s attached to the bottom of your toilet bowl is an essential component.
The word flange was originally derived from the old french verb “franchisor,” which meant to bend. To join two cylindrical objects, such as pipes and flanges, have been in use for a very long time. Flanges have many applications outside plumbing, including in train wheels and camera lenses. These seemingly inconspicuous items are crucial for securing one thing in place and linking it to another.