Plumbing in the Home/Installing a toilet

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Expert: Carolyn - 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
Well, Jennifer,
This is not something I have ever run into but it is just be a cap to close off the line until installation can be completed.  I think this site will guide you in using a hammer to smacking it, then removing the pieces with a set of pliers.  It is designed as a knock out.

http://www.contractortalk.com/f9/closet-flange-knockout-cap-9612/

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7350243.html

http://www.selfhelpforums.com/archive/index.php/t-4687.html

I think this answers your question and good luck!
~Carolyn~

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Carolyn

Expertise

I have worked in Electrical Engineering for 30 years in power distribution and am now a Senior Electrical & Instrumentation Designer, but I am a handy homeowner more than anything else and have a lot of skills when it comes to home repairs. Bathroom remodeling, flooring, painting, reconditioning old wood items, plumbing, car repairs and troubleshooting most problems. I think of myself more of a teacher than someone that is going to tell you exactly what you have to do, but I will share as much info as I have to help get your problem fixed, so if you are not interested in learning then don't ask me a question or rate me if you don't like my answers. To me, it is all about the journey so lets share the trail for a short ride and see where it takes us! I also want to give thanks to both my Mom, who has passed and my Dad, who raised us with the "Can Do" attitude and instowed such confidence in not only my life but everyone that ever came in contact with them. You can do anything that you set our minds too if only you can break it down into pieces and just tackle one piece at a time, for the rest will fall into place.

Experience

My greatest accomplishment was finishing my first bathroom upgrades in my first home which helped me to sell my home is less than 3 days by myself with a For Sale By Owner sign and no more. Plus I got $10,000 more for it in just 4 years of owning it, now that is great equity.

Education/Credentials
Nursing School, 1 1/2 years of a 2 year RN program, 1976 US Army, Intelligence School, Image Interpreter, 1977 Thomas Nelson Community College, Mechanical Drafting, 1980 Newport News Shipbuilding, Designer Training Program, 1981 School Of Hard Knocks

Awards and Honors
Certificate of Achievement, Graduated with Honor's from Military Intelligence School, Award from Planning Research Corporation for a Job Well Done, Hand Selected to be an Internal Auditor for an ISO 9000 Certification Program for one of my longest employers, Mutable Letters of Appreciation

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