toilet flange too high?

[Tish]

I was putting down new vinyl flooring in one of the bathrooms, and discovered the toilet had been leaking around the base. After removing it and replacing the damaged subfloor, I'm baffled by the original configuration. The floor flange sits about 1/4" above the sub floor (there was a LOT of wax between it and the old floor)and is a bit more than 1/4" thick. The bottom of the horn on the toilet is flush with the base and there is only about 5/8" clearance around it. It seems to me that when I put the toiet back, the whole weight of it will be on the flange and I'll need to shim the base up a half inch at least. This doesn't seem right. I'm thinking I should saw off the old flange

- it's glued to the pipe - and replace it with a thinner one and install it so it will sit on the floor. Is that the right way to do this and how do I make sure the new flange makes a tight seal with the pipe? I'd appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks. Elizabeth

[Tom Baker]

There are plastic shims made for this problem. I have two toilets sitting on plywood shaped to the toilet foot print to deal with this problem. They have worked well for several years. I checked both floors to see if they had settled for some reason. I believe the plumber set the heights assuming tile floor finish that was not installed.

TB

[Tish]

Thanks Tom. That seems a safer way to go than sawing off the flange. I appreciate your help.

[calhoun]