Ever installed a toilet only to find it wobbles like a loose chair at the hawker centre? Or maybe there’s a tiny leak you just can’t seem to trace? One sneaky culprit could be a toilet flange that’s sitting too high. Yeah, that little piece under your toilet can cause more trouble than you’d think.
But don’t panic. You’ve got options—and we’re going to walk through them step by step.
First off… what exactly is a toilet flange?
The flange is the round fitting that connects your toilet to the drainpipe below. It also helps anchor the toilet to the floor. Most flanges are made of PVC or cast iron, and they’re usually bolted into the subfloor around a circular hole.
Ideally, the flange should sit just slightly above the finished floor—around ¼ inch is perfect. But when it sticks up too high, all sorts of problems can pop up.
What happens when it’s too high?
A high flange might not seem like a big deal at first glance. But it throws off the whole balance of the toilet. Here’s what you might notice:
- Rocking toilet: It doesn’t sit flush (pun intended) with the floor, so it tilts when you sit down. Annoying and unsafe.
- Leaking base: If the wax ring can’t compress properly, water might seep out from underneath. Not good.
- Cracked toilet base: Uneven support puts stress on the ceramic, which can eventually crack. That’s an expensive fix.
- Uneven tile gaps: Aesthetically, it just looks off. Especially in new bathrooms where everything else is flush and seamless.
Why does it happen?
In most cases, a flange ends up too high because of:
- New flooring: You installed tile or laminate, but didn’t lower the flange to match the new height.
- Old flange + remodel: You replaced the floor and reused the original flange, which now sits too high.
- Incorrect install: Maybe the installer didn’t check height against finished flooring. Happens more often than you’d think.
Sometimes, the flange gets glued or screwed in before the floor goes down. Other times, contractors just eyeball it and hope for the best. Not ideal, but it’s reality.
So… how do you fix it?
Good news: you’ve got a few options depending on how much too high we’re talking. Let’s break it down.
1. Use a thicker wax ring (quick fix, not always ideal)
If the flange is only about ¼ inch too high, a jumbo wax ring or a wax ring with a rubber extender might do the trick. It helps bridge the gap so the toilet seals properly. But beware—this is more of a band-aid solution. The toilet may still rock if the base isn’t supported evenly.
2. Use flange spacers (adds height around the base)
Flange spacer rings (also called toilet flange extenders) stack on top of your existing flange to raise the surrounding height. This helps “meet” the toilet base where it needs to be. It works well if your flange is only slightly too tall and you want a clean, level look.
3. Recess or lower the flange (most reliable fix)
This is a bigger job, but it’s the most correct fix. It usually involves removing the flange, cutting the pipe shorter, and reinstalling the flange at the correct height. If your flange is more than ½ inch above floor level, this is your best long-term solution.
4. Add support shims around the toilet base
If your toilet rocks due to the height mismatch, you can use plastic shims to stabilize it before tightening the bolts. This won’t fix the height issue itself, but it prevents movement and helps protect the toilet from cracking. Don’t forget to caulk around the base afterward to seal it up.
What NOT to do
- Don’t force it down: Trying to tighten bolts until the toilet “crushes” into place will only crack the base or break the seal.
- Don’t stack two wax rings: It sounds logical, but they can shift over time and cause leaks. Always use a single, reliable seal.
- Don’t ignore a wobbly toilet: Even if it doesn’t leak now, movement will eventually wear down the wax ring and lead to problems.
Tools you might need
Depending on your fix, here’s a quick list of tools and materials you might want on hand:
- New wax ring or rubber seal
- Toilet flange spacer kits
- Plastic toilet shims
- Silicone caulk (for sealing the base)
- Drill or oscillating tool (if you’re removing tile or flange)
- Adjustable wrench
- Gloves (trust me—you’ll want them)
Should you call a plumber?
If you’re comfortable pulling and reinstalling a toilet, you might be fine handling minor fixes on your own. But if the flange needs to be lowered or the subfloor cut, it’s worth hiring a professional. One wrong move and you could be dealing with water damage, a broken flange, or worse—a cracked pipe beneath the floor.
Wrap-up: don’t settle for wobbly
A too-high flange isn’t just an annoyance—it can wreck your toilet over time. Whether you go the quick route with a spacer or tackle the root of the problem, the goal is simple: a tight, level, leak-free toilet that doesn’t rock or hiss.
And honestly? You’ll appreciate it most when you’re half-asleep at 2 a.m., sitting in peace without wondering if the whole thing’s about to tip over.
Need help choosing the right spacer or figuring out how far off your flange is? Check out our free troubleshooting chart for exact measurements and product picks that match.