Toilet Flange a repair on acoustical concrete floor
georgep
| Posted in General Discussion on
I need to replace a rusted metal toilet flange in a condo that has an acoustical concrete floor. I’ve been told that I can’t just screw the replacement flange to the concrete because the concrete won’t hold the screws. How can I fasten the new flange to the floor?
Thanks
Replies
tapcons. Home Depot sells them and I think the package sometimes includes the correct size masonry bit
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tapcon-3-16-in-x-1-1-4-in-Hex-Washer-Head-Concrete-Anchors-75-Pack-24300/100209254
I don't know what acoustical concrete is so maybe I'm wrong.
There are cheap steel flanges, which is what you have and good bronze flanges for just a couple bucks more. Make sure to get a bronze flange that won't rust in the future. I've been through the cheap steel flange problem like you.
I'm not sure what you mean by acoustical concrete. Is there a topping slab over the structural slab that is lightweight concrete? If so just get longer fasteners to go through the topping slab into the structural one.
Some slabs really are garbage (old NY city buildings sometimes have ash slabs) you could chip out the area and grout in some fasteners but we really need more information to give you decent advice.
Not sure what the old flange was or how it was fastened. I hope I can replace the flange and not just use a ring. I don’t like them. I was notified that the flange was no good by a flooring contractor that is installing some vinyl flooring for me. He said the surface was acoustical concrete. I talked to the condo manager, who said that the surface is Zipcrete with 5/8 plywood underneath. I assume there has to be a concrete slab under that. Not much of an assumption since the condo is on the first floor and the underground garage ceiling is concrete. I’m heading over there now to see exactly what the situation is. When I posted the question here I didn’t realize that the top concrete is only a surface layer.
Unless anyone can point out possible issues, I will probably fasten the flange to the underlying plywood.
So, the flange was a PVC flange with the attached metal ring. The ring was completely rotted. The ring was nailed to some blocking. I’m going to get a new ring and screw it to the existing blocking. The big box store just had crap so I’m going to the plumbing supply store tomorrow to see if I can get a brass adjustable ring or at least stainless.
The. PVC is flush with the vinyl. Should I use an extension ring to raise it a little?
I presume you are in the U.S. Here some choices of what you need at Lowes.
https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=toilet+flange
...Not saying that you shouldn't support the independent retailers....
Not replacing the whole flange unless I have to so I need a ring that I can open and slip under the flange lip. Lowe’s doesn’t have anything that isn’t just steel, no stainless, no brass. Don’t want the same issue down the road. I’m just a DIY’er but I have a supply house that I’ve built up a good relationship with for pro plumbing supplies. Worth its weight in gold.