My broken flange is glued to the ABS pipe. I was able to break off the top with a hammer. How do I remove the two inch or so deep part that is firmly attached to the waste pipe. Chisel and hammer, or a kind of sander??
I read somewhere that either acetone or methyl ethyl ketone would dissolve the yellow abs cement that was apparently used. If true how would I obtain a small amount of these chemicals? Appreciate any advice! Fred
You can get acetone or MEK at any big box home center. It's in the paint section. Acetone is also nail polish remover so if you can steal the bottle from your wife you can see if that will work on the cement. Personally, I've never had luck getting a joint apart after it has set for a few days. Generally I cut the pipe and use a coupling with a short section of pipe and a new toilet flange.
If just the flange part of the toilet flange is cracked or broken (and you had not broken the flange apart already) you can hold the toilet down with tabs/brackets that screw into the subfloor. You just use a good new wax ring and screw the toilet down so it does not wiggle.
Oh, I forgot to mention to be carefull with the solvents since it sounds like you've never used them. Before I scare you. MEK is my favorite solvent. It is great stuff!!! It will get all sorts of paint, glue tar off your hands. It will also remove stickers glue from anything. It's also good for removing oils from something before you paint.
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Solvents are flammable so no smoking.
The solvents may attack the pipes just as well as the glue (especially the MEK) so don't just pour solvent on the joint and let it sit.
MEK can be absorbed through the skin (in addition to breathing the fumes) so put on some gloves and get some fresh air if you get the shakes (it takes a lot of exposure so don't worry too much).
Be carefull where you lay rags soaked in acetone and especially MEK. MEK will take the sealer off concrete, will remove most paints, will melt or haze sheet vinyl floors, and will melt most plastic garbage cans. Rags soaked in paint thinners can spontaneously catch on fire. It does not happen often but it can happen.
Acetone can haze cultured marble countertops (like found in many bathrooms).
If you have rags soaked in solvent lay them across the edge of a metal garbage can outside or lay them outside on some stone to let the solvent evaporate. DO NOT wad up the rags and let them sit in a pile in your garage (
INstalling a repair flange would have been easier than busting up the remaining part of the flange, but that is water under the bridge. If you have clear sight of the pipe insert (since you broke off the flange) using the MEK is probably the best way to go. I have used a reciprocating saw with a fine blade vertically on the insert, being really careful not to cut the original drain pipe, and the pieces will come out after using the MEK. Once you break the surface tension by sawing it, the MEK will have a better chance of penetrating.
Thanks for the good advice. Luckily I was able to remove the part of the flange by cutting it with a jig saw and chisel away the rest. It took me awhile though. The concrete floor was not level which I believe was causing the trouble in the first place, so I will use plastic shims to avoid the rocking..
Thanks again,
Fred
Tags: remove, broken, toilet, flange, broken flange, part flange, rags soaked, toilet down, toilet flange, will melt
