Toilet flanges seem simple.
It’s just a little ring that holds your toilet to the floor, right?

But here’s the truth I see every week as a plumber in Sacramento:

When a flange is installed wrong, the entire toilet becomes a problem.

Wobbling. Leaking. Bad smells.
And yeah — sometimes, full-on sewage under the floor.

Let me walk you through what can go wrong during a DIY install, what I look for on a service call, and how we actually fix flange issues for good.

The Most Common Flange Mistakes I See

1. The Flange Is Too Low (or Way Too High)

The flange should sit on top of the finished floor, not below it.

If it’s too low (common with vinyl flooring or after tile jobs), the wax ring can’t seal — and waste leaks out under the toilet.

Too high? The toilet rocks, leaks, or won’t bolt down properly.

2. The Flange Is Cracked or Rusted

I’ve pulled toilets and found flanges:

• With one bolt ear broken off
• Made of cheap plastic cracked in half
• Rusted to dust from moisture over the years

These can’t hold your toilet — no matter how tight the bolts are.

3. The Wrong Type of Flange for the Pipe

Some people try to fit a 4″ flange into a 3″ drain. Others use push-in flanges where they need a glued or solvent-welded one.

I’ve even seen people “seal” them with silicone and hope for the best. It doesn’t work.

4. Bolting Directly to the Subfloor — Not the Concrete or Finished Floor

If the flange isn’t anchored properly, the toilet will shift over time — breaking seals and causing leaks.

5. Wax Ring Used as a Bandaid

Some folks try to stack two wax rings to compensate for a bad flange height.
That almost never works long-term.

What Happens When a Flange Is Installed Wrong

• The toilet wobbles
• Water leaks around the base
• Sewer gas smells escape
• Subfloor and flooring get saturated
• You get mold, rot, and expensive repairs

And you might not notice until it’s been going on for months.

How We Fix It at Golden Valley Plumbing

When you call us for a flange issue, here’s what we actually do:

1. Pull the Toilet and Inspect Everything

We check:

• Flange height
• Condition (cracks, rust, fit)
• Drain pipe connection
• Floor stability

2. Choose the Right Flange Solution

Depending on what we find, we may:

• Replace the flange entirely
• Use a repair ring or extender
• Anchor into concrete if needed
• Rebuild damaged subflooring or seal holes

We never just “stack wax” and walk away.

3. Re-Install the Toilet — Properly

• New wax ring (or neoprene if needed)
• Even, tight bolts
• Shims if the floor’s uneven
• Clean test flushes to confirm everything’s sealed

Should You Try It Yourself?

If you’re handy and the floor is solid, maybe.

But I’ve been called out too many times after DIY installs where:

• The flange was upside down
• The bolts weren’t secured
• The ring cracked during tightening
• The whole thing leaked and ruined the new bathroom floor

My advice?
If you’re unsure — call us before it becomes expensive.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

We handle toilet flange repairs and installs across Sacramento — fast, clean, and done right the first time.

• Licensed, insured, experienced techs
• Clear pricing
• No mess left behind
• Done in a single visit in most cases

Need your flange fixed or inspected? Contact Golden Valley Plumbing — and avoid the hidden damage that happens when things aren’t sealed right.

Final Word

A $15 part shouldn’t cause $5,000 in floor damage.
But when a toilet flange goes wrong — it often does.

Let’s get it right the first time. You’ll never have to think about it again.