Securing the toilet flange is one of the most important steps in making sure it does not move when the toilet is set up on top.
A loose toilet flange will lead to a wobbly and/or leaky toilet.
This is why you have to be careful and make sure this part of the plumbing is resolute. If not, you are going to be dealing with serious water damage or a toilet that refuses to sit still.
A question people ask is, does a toilet flange need to be screwed to the floor?
Yes, the toilet flange does need to be screwed to the floor. It should be bolted into place once the inside of the pipe has been glued. This offers a two-pronged solution to ensure the toilet flange does not move.
The reason it needs to be screwed to the floor is to avoid shifting.
The toilet flange might shift once the toilet is installed on top. This is why having the screw in place goes a long way.
This article will take a look at what to consider when a toilet flange is screwed to the floor and why it’s important.
Table of Contents
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How To Screw Toilet Flange To The Floor
1. Set New Flange Into The Pipe
It’s important to start by widening the pipe.
This is common when a new toilet flange has to be set into place. To do this, you are going to take a PVC pipe cutter drill pit and use it to widen the pipe.
You will want to take the toilet flange and press it into the pipe.
See if one of the sides is sticking out or not. If it is, this is the right time to remove the flange, hammer that part of the floor down, and then reset the flange.
You have to make sure it is sitting flush with the floor before using closet bolts to secure it.

2. Place Rubber Gasket And Brass Ring In
You will now want to place the rubber gasket into the toilet flange.
Once it is set, you are going to take the brass ring and place it facing up. This will ensure you have enough space to secure the toilet flange once it’s time to use the closet bolts on either side.
Be patient while pressing the brass ring in.
This is key as it will ensure the flange doesn’t move around once it’s screwed into place.
You will also want to consider using glue along the sides of the pipe before setting the toilet flange. This is common when you want an added layer of stability for the toilet flange.
3. Screw Closet Bolts On Either Side Of The Flange
Now, it’s time to screw the toilet flange into the pipe.
If you have nothing to screw the toilet flange to, this is when you will want to press the brass ring down.
This is how you are going to use the bolts.
Take the bolts and begin screwing them into either side of the toilet flange. This will make sure the closet bolts go through and lock the toilet flange into place.

4. Push Wax Ring Into The Middle
The last step is to ensure the toilet flange doesn’t leak when water is coming through.
To ensure this is the case, you are going to take a wax ring and place it on top of the toilet flange. This will go right in the middle.
The goal is to ensure the wax ring acts as a security net making sure water doesn’t pour through when the toilet is installed on top.
The wax ring is important and will ensure the plumbing is water-tight.
When you are certain the toilet flange has been screwed into place properly, it’s time to fit the toilet on top to complete the installation.
Final Thoughts
Does a toilet flange need to be screwed to the floor?
A toilet flange does need to be screwed to the floor. To do this, you will have to use two closet bolts on either side of the flange. This will help secure the toilet flange and make sure it does not budge when the toilet is installed.
It’s important to take your time setting everything into place.
This includes the rubber gasket, brass ring, two closet bolts, and then the wax ring to complete the job.
If you do this right, the toilet flange is going to be water-tight and last for years to come without a fuss.
This should be your ultimate goal when it is time to secure a toilet flange in your bathroom.
Read More On Bathrooms:
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- How To Fix A Toilet Flange That’s Close To The Wall
- Should Toilet Flange Sit Inside The Pipe?
- Steps For Pouring Concrete Around Toilet Flange
- How To Correct A High Toilet Flange
- How To Choose Between An Upflush Toilet And A Sewage Ejector System
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