Is it safe to leave toilet flange hole unplugged?

Question

I put some epoxy on the flange to cover a small crack, and it's still drying, so I didn't want to stuff a rag in the hole and mess up the epoxy. I read that sewer gas can potentially cause an explosion (although this house is on septic and it was pumped out a month ago). Are there any concerns leaving the hole unplugged for one night while the epoxy dries? Thanks.

Randy F. · Answer

Yeah... Id replace it. I cant imagine any place on a flange that hasnt been exposed to wax so epoxy wont likely hold anyway. The crack is likely at a bolt slot as thats where all the stress is, making it even less likely it would hold. Not worth messing with. Heavy people or kids flopping down on the toilet, causing it to move in the least, will likely cause loss of complete seal at wax ring.

It has always bothered me how little attention is paid in the setting of toilets. From the war zones to high end properties, well over fifty percent of the toilets Ive pulled over the past thirty years were leakers at some point in their history. Setting a toilet is a shot in the dark proposition even under the best of circumstances... Like new construction... So on a reset its best to leave as little to chance as possible.

Theres nothing like a nasty rotted subfloor to brighten up a rehabbers day!! :c)

Jon Holdman · Answer

Below other fixtures, yes.  But the toilet, not.  The toilet itself contains the trap.  Thats the water you see in the toilet after you flush.

Rob K. · Answer

If your former tenants were over 300 pounds and/or ate lots of chili, you might want to turn off all pilot lights.

I'm just kidding. You should be fine. If it will help you sleep better, crack a window and turn off the water heater.

Dan Amato · Answer

That was my thinking, Rob. Messing with cast iron (which my other house has here in FL - and yes it's on a slab) scared me :P Something I'd hire out for because I'm not that confident with that stuff.

Rob K. · Answer

If it's a PVC flange, it's not a five minute job. That's what this sounds like it he's using epoxy. You would need a special drill fitting to get that old flange and glue off. Costs about $20-25.

If this is a cast iron drain and flange, then the flange is probably sweated on. You can chip it off with a hammer and buy a bolt on type flange at HD for about $14. It will have 3-4 bolts that compress the gasket around the pipe as you torque them down.

I'm willing to bet we're talking about a PVC flange. Also, since he's in Fla, the house is probably on a slab which would create a nightmare if he were to damage the pipe trying to get that old flange off.

Lance H. · Answer

As others have said, just replace the peice and be done.  Other than moving and resetting the toilet (which you're already doing anyway) it's about a 5 minute job.

James H. · Answer

I think I paid about 10 bucks on the one I bought for my rental. It was easy to replace. Just unbolt (pull up in my case with a rotted subfloor), push the new one in, bolt it and you're done.

Dan Amato · Answer

Hey Brian, exactly how expensive/hard are they to repair? I just assumed they were a monster and would be prohibitive just looking at them.

James H. · Answer

So, what keeps the gas from coming up if not the pea trap built into the toilet? Why would you worry about KIDS dropping stuff in a vacant rental? I suppose it could happen...Any thing can happen..

It is totally easy to put a rag or something like that in the hole. I would do that so I didn't kick a screw driver in or something. But a rag is not a gas stopper. Anyways, I think the consensus is that it's not a big deal. I have left a toilet drain uncovered for days and had no  problems - even with odor.

Toilet flanges are so cheap, I'm surprised Bienes didn't just replace it.

Dan Amato · Answer

The original poster was saying he epoxied the flange, that is why he didn't want to put anything in it such as a rag as it would stick and maybe pull the epoxy off when removed. I see what he's saying, but they definitely should cover it.

Is it safe to leave toilet flange hole unplugged?

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