Just found out my toilet flange was installed upside down for 8 years

Was pulling my toilet to fix a slow leak last weekend and noticed the flange was literally flipped the wrong way. Looked it up online and sure enough the raised lip should face up not down. No wonder I had to use three wax rings to get it to seal. Has anyone else had some dumb install mistake that worked for years before you caught it?

2 comments

2 Comments

nathan_bailey1mo ago

My buddy found out his kitchen sink drain was piped with a 3/4 inch trap when code called for 1.5 inches, and it'd been that way for six years before he remodeled. The weird part was it actually drained fine as long as he didn't run the disposal, so nobody ever questioned it. Makes you wonder what other hidden shortcuts are lurking behind drywall just waiting to ruin your day.

craig.parker1mo ago

Wait, three wax rings? I've heard of doubling up but that is wild. @nathan_bailey that sink trap story is crazy too, a 3/4 inch trap on a kitchen sink sounds like a clog waiting to happen every time you wash a pot. I can't believe the toilet flange thing worked for eight years without a major leak, you must have been cranking those closet bolts down like crazy.