Good thinking checking for water damage, but honestly, flange extenders can be a bit hit-or-miss in my experience. Couple quick points from my end:
- Flange extenders can sometimes mask bigger issues like uneven floors or compromised subfloors.
- If there's any flex or softness around the toilet base, I'd seriously consider pulling it again and inspecting underneath.
- Had one job where the extender seemed fine at first, but moisture crept back in after a few months—ended up replacing part of the subfloor anyway. Not fun...
Hopefully yours holds up better than mine did!
Agree with most of what's been said here, flange extenders can definitely be sketchy sometimes. I've seen them work fine for years, but also had a few cases where they caused more headaches down the road. Honestly, if you're already suspecting water issues, I'd bite the bullet and take a closer look at the subfloor now rather than later. A quick inspection can save you from a bigger disaster.
Curious though, did you notice any discoloration or moldy smell when you first pulled the toilet? Sometimes the signs of moisture damage are subtle at first...
Good points overall, but I wouldn't necessarily jump straight into tearing up the subfloor just yet. A few things to consider first:
- Flange extenders can indeed be hit or miss, but I've found that most issues come from improper installation rather than the extenders themselves. If they're sealed correctly and secured tightly, they usually hold up pretty well. Had one in my guest bath for almost 5 years now without a single leak.
- Before you start pulling up flooring, maybe try a moisture meter around the flange area? They're pretty cheap at hardware stores and can give you a quick read on whether there's hidden moisture damage without having to rip everything apart right away.
- Also, discoloration or moldy smells aren't always obvious at first glance. Had a situation once where everything looked fine initially, but after a couple weeks of use, the smell started creeping in. Turned out there was a tiny leak that only showed itself under pressure when someone sat on the toilet. Sneaky stuff...
- If you're really worried about water damage but hesitant to tear things apart immediately, you could always cut a small inspection hole from underneath (if accessible) or from an adjacent room/closet. Easier to patch drywall than replace flooring.
Not saying you shouldn't inspect thoroughly—just suggesting there might be simpler ways to confirm the issue before diving into major repairs.
Definitely agree with checking moisture first—saved myself a ton of headache once by catching a sneaky leak early. Flange extenders can be solid if done right, but I've also seen some pretty sketchy DIY attempts (guilty as charged...). Cutting a small inspection hole is smart advice too; drywall patching beats flooring replacement any day. Just don't ask how I learned that lesson the hard way...
"Flange extenders can be solid if done right, but I've also seen some pretty sketchy DIY attempts (guilty as charged...)."
Had a similar experience myself—thought I could shortcut with a quick DIY flange extender fix. Ended up redoing it properly after a slow leak revealed itself weeks later. Lesson learned: shortcuts rarely pay off in plumbing...
