Your RV's toilet flange shouldn't have to be replaced too often. However, if you find yourself installing new flooring in your RV, you might also have to replace to flange to make sure it's sitting at the correct height relative to the floor.
Unfortunately, replacing a toilet flange can easily turn into a complicated, all-day task. But if you're up for the challenge, here's how to do it.
Gather Your Tools
You'll need the following:
- Wrench
- Putty knife
- Screwdriver
- Angle grinder
- Flashlight
- Chisel
- Marine adhesive
- Rubber flange seal.
Remove the Toilet
You'll first have to remove your RV's toilet, which is a relatively simple task. Start by turning off the water supply and flushing the toilet to empty it of water. Then disconnect the water line.
Remove the bolts holding down your toilet, and then pull the toilet straight up to take it out. Next, take out the flange seal. If the seal is rubber, it should be simple to remove. If it's wax, use a putty knife to scrape it up.
Find the Flange
Start by removing the screws that hold the flange to the floor – a task that's tougher than it sounds. If the screws are stuck, you might have to use an angle grinder to cut off the bolts.
Next, inspect the tube leading into the black-water tank. Shine a flashlight down the pipe to see how the flange is attached – it should be about 1 to 3 inches down the tube. Check to see if it's screwed into the tank (which is the most common) or glued or cemented.
Uninstall the Current Flange
If the flange is screwed into the tank, you should be able to twist it counterclockwise to detach it. Prepare to put some strength into it in case it's corroded and difficult to turn.
If it's glued or cemented, use your chisel to hit it until the seal breaks, at which point you should be able to twist and pull off the flange.
Install the New Flange
Screw the new flange clockwise into the black-water tank, or glue it in place using a waterproof marine adhesive if your flange is supposed to be glued or cemented in.
Replace the screws holding the flange to the floor – if you had to cut them earlier, install new ones. Put a new flange seal – preferably a rubber one, regardless of what your previous flange seal was made of – on top of the flange. Then reinstall the toilet.
References
Writer Bio
Brenna Swanston is a freelance writer, editor and journalist. She covers topics including environment, agriculture and travel. She previously reported for the Sun newspaper in Santa Maria, Calif., and holds a bachelor's in journalism from California Polytechnic State University. Swanston is an avid traveler and loves jazz, yoga and craft beer.
