Did you know that around 65% of homes have at least two bathrooms? It’s crucial to know how to fix your toilet when it breaks. But what’s the cost to repair or replace toilet components entirely?
Toilet flange repairs can cost anywhere between $50-$200. The cost variations come from what type of flange you purchase to replace a broken one and whether or not you perform the repairs yourself or hire a professional for help.
If you’re curious about what it will cost to replace toilet flanges, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about the toilet flange and what you’ll pay to fix it.
What Is a Toilet Flange?
The toilet flange is sometimes called the “closet flange.” This component is a pipe fitting that helps to connect your toilet to the drainage system.
Additionally, a toilet flange helps to securely attach a toilet to the floor. With a toilet flange, the toilet moves around less during use, which can also help to keep other components safe and secure and keep your toilet from leaking or breaking in other areas.
The toilet flange isn’t a piece you’ll notice in everyday use. However, if the flange breaks, you can often tell by your toilet becoming less stable. You may also notice leaks or foul smells from air and water not draining properly.
How Often Do Flanges Break?
Toilet flanges are a sturdy component, and they have quite a range of how long they’ll last. A high-quality flange will last up to two decades, whereas inferior components can last for much shorter periods.
When a flange starts to wear down, it will no longer cause a tight seal. As a result, you may notice a leak at the base, particularly when you flush. You can prevent this mess by having your toilet inspected and repaired every few years.
However, leaks may not necessarily indicate that you need to replace your flange. If the wax seal underneath the flange deteriorates, it can also cause leaks but is much easier to fix.
Signs Your Flange Needs Replacing
The most likely way you’ll notice your flange is breaking is a small leak. As the flange breaks, its seal for the toilet will also fade. The broken seal will result in water leaking out around the base of your toilet where it connects to the ground.
There may also be a smell accompanying the water. However, many things can cause a smell to emit from your toilet. If the only issue is a smell, your flange may be fine, but it’s worth having plumbers come to inspect your toilet.
Finally, you may also notice that your toilet seems loosely anchored. It may move back and forth when you sit on it or if you exert force. However, some toilets have anchoring bolts that also keep them in place (if these bolts start spinning, read our guide). Because of this, you may not notice your flange being broken from any movement if there’s something else keeping your toilet in place.
Consequences Of a Broken Flange
Your toilet flange is a vital component and you’ll want it fixed as soon as possible. If your toilet is unstable, it becomes a safety hazard and can lead to falls, especially for the elderly or people with disabilities. Movement can also cause further damage to your toilet in the water pipes or the basin. If these parts break, you may have to replace the toilet.
There are also hygienic issues that come with a constant leak. Excess water can encourage mold to grow and water from your toilet isn’t exactly clean, so you should try to fix any broken parts as soon as possible.
Cost To Replace a Toilet Flange
Once your toilet flange needs replacing, how much will it cost you? The true cost to replace toilet flanges depends on whether you’re replacing it yourself or hiring someone to do it for you.
Here are some of the costs you can expect when replacing your toilet flange.
Hiring Professionals
When it comes to complex maintenance tasks at home, most will always suggest hiring a professional. Hiring a professional plumber can help to ensure that the job is done correctly and done well.
Your plumber can help you spot whether the issue is your flange. Misdiagnosing the problem can cause you to replace a component that didn’t need replacing. Doing so will cost you the money of purchasing parts, as well as the time and effort of replacing everything.
The plumber will charge for labor, but flanges aren’t very expensive. Because of this, most of the cost will be the labor, making the price vary wildly depending on your plumber’s rates.
A good estimate for having someone come and replace your flange is about $50, though you may find some companies charging as much as $200. The range depends on the complexity of the task, the plumbing company, and many more factors. Discuss the cost with your plumber before you agree to anything.
Do It Yourself
Many homeowners prefer to do things themselves to save on costs, especially if they own the home. DIY opportunities are great chances to learn. However, some tasks are complex enough that you’ll want to leave the learning for another time.
Thankfully, replacing a toilet flange isn’t too difficult. There are several types of flanges you can purchase. One of the most common types is PVC toilet flanges. These flanges are popular due to costing less than others, resisting rust, and their high durability.
For a PVC toilet flange, you’ll spend around $5-$20, depending on the store and size of the flange. From there, you’ll also need to acquire any tools you may need, which can become expensive, so see if you can borrow tools from a friend.
Make sure you know what you’re doing before you take your toilet apart. Replacing the flange isn’t complicated, but there are many moving parts. Don’t hesitate to call in a professional if you begin the task and find yourself in over your head.
How To Stop a Flange From Breaking
Once you’ve replaced your flange, how can you stop it from breaking again? There are a few stresses that can cause your flange to break prematurely.
For example, try not to sit or stand on your toilet with too much force. Doing so can nudge the toilet out of place, which strains the flange. Given that the flange anchors the toilet in place, any movement can be detrimental.
Additionally, you’ll want to use high-quality components in your toilet. A strong PVC flange can last for a decade or more, but there are lower-quality substitutes that some may use to save a dollar or two. Doing so will force you to replace the flange more often, costing more money in the long run.
Unfortunately, you can’t stop your flange from breaking eventually. Even the best toilet flange will need replacing eventually. Do your best to treat your toilet gently and watch for any signs that the flange is failing.
Staying Clean
The cost to replace toilet flange components isn’t high, especially if you fix the process yourself. You should expect to spend between $20-$200, regardless of whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring someone.
Working by yourself is riskier and will require you to purchase tools that you may not have lying around your home, which can up costs, but plumbers will charge for labor. However, don’t shy away from the cost, as failing to repair broken toilet components can cause lots of issues in the long run.
Leave a comment