Expert: Sharon McCarthy - 7/2/2009

Question
We added an addition on to our house which included a bathroom. I am getting ready to install the new toilet, but the flange has a covering where the opening should be. I have installed a toilet before, we remodeled our other bathroom, but the hole was already there. My question to you is how do I get the hole there? It looks like I should be able to just turn it and it opens, but its not and I was scared that maybe that was not how it opened and I didn't want to break it. I have looked up installation on the internet, but no one addresses this issue. Any suggestions you have a would greatly appreciate. Thank you ahead of time.

Answer
Dear Jennifer,

  Who installed the flange? It sounds like it is some kind of flange that has a pop-out cover, which is probably there to block the sewer gas from coming up into the house before the toilet is set.

  You could either call the person who did the work and ask him, or check at an Ace Hardware. I have never seen a flange like this, but it makes a lot of sense that they make some with caps on them to block sewer gases. I imagine this cap just pops off or pries off with a screw driver.

  I've removed toilets, and when I couldn't put the new one on right away I'd stuff a rag in the hole. This is what plumbers have been doing for years. So I have a hunch there is now a product with a built-in cap, functioning as the rag in the hole.

  If you want to find something on the internet, look up toilet flanges and see if you can find this type. There should be some information about how to remove that cap. That's so funny to me, you know how to set a toilet, which most people wouldn't even try to do, but you have this odd cap on the hole. I'd be puzzled myself!

  I'm sure you will be able to remove it easily. The flange is tough enough to hold a toilet down for years, I doubt you'd damage it by trying to pry that cover out. Good luck! sharon