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Pro tip: Don't trust a $15 toilet flange from the hardware store
Last Saturday I was replacing a toilet in my own house, something I've done like a hundred times for clients. I grabbed a cheap plastic flange from the big box store, figured it was fine for a quick swap. After I got the toilet set and tightened the bolts, I heard this tiny CRACK sound. The flange split right where the bolt slot meets the pipe, and water started seeping up from underneath. I had to yank the whole toilet back off, cut out the flange, and drive 20 minutes to a plumbing supply house for a cast iron one that cost $38. The whole job turned into a 4 hour ordeal instead of an easy hour. Has anyone else had those cheap parts blow up on them out of nowhere?
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the_julia6d ago
You know what, I used to be the guy who would grab the cheapest flange and laugh at people spending more. Thought it was all the same plastic crap. Then I had one crack on a Sunday afternoon with a family coming over the next day. Had to beg a neighbor to watch my kids while I ran around town trying to find a metal one. Now I tell everyone to just spend the extra 20 bucks up front. The plastic ones might look the same on the shelf but they're NOT the same quality where the bolts actually bite into the material. That little crack sound is just the worst feeling ever.
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dakota_murphy906d ago
Did I write this post? That's literally my Saturday afternoon story except I was the one panicking with a wet towel shoved under the toilet while my wife gave me the death stare lol. Learned that lesson the hard way too.
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