Covering toilet flange/drain hole during remodel?

[Gator95]

About to start a downstairs bathroom remodel that will include removal of wallpaper, removing toilet and vanity, removal of old tile, followed by possibly reskimming walls, painting, new tile, wall trim, toilet, and vanity.

Will have the toilet drain hole open for about a week after toilet removal for the wall painting, tile laying, trimming, etc... before I install new toilet. Seems like a long time to just leave a rag stuffed in the opening. Is there some kind of 'cap' I can put on this that will allow me to still tile around it?

Just want to make sure no nastiness gets out and no tools/mortar/whatever falls in.

[pelligrini]

Test plugs aren't all that expensive.
Example from ace

[tfischer]

I think the rag would be fine, as long as nobody's going to be messing with it... Basically you just want to keep sewer gasses out of the room, and stuff from falling in the hole.

[Mr__Bill]

I have used a plastic bag with some joint compound in it to fill it out and keep in it. Just don't let it go all the way down.

[dbhost]

I second the vote for Test Plugs... Cheap, easy to use, seal very well...

[eezlock]

covering toilet flange

My vote for test plugs also....best way to keep unwanted sewer gases out of the house!

[Hellrazor]

If you want to pay for something get the plugs..

If you want to go on the cheap and have enough clearance, get a few small plastic bags and rubberbands.

[master53yoda]

I bolt a piece of scrap plywood over it with the old toilet bolts good seal, nothing will go through it, and you can't forget to remove it.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Handyman's secret weapon! Perfect for this job and has a host of other uses!

[maxparot]

I shoved a tight fitting plastic container in the flange while I was working on the bathroom.

[cabinetman]

Rags can get smelly, and our pets pull them out, drag them all over the house. Test plugs are great if you want to buy something. I've got a plastic top from Tupperware or Rubbermaid, or one of those wondrous plastics everything companies that fits perfectly. If they only knew.
.

[Gator95]

Rags can get smelly, and our pets pull them out, drag them all over the house.

This is why I was asking for a solution other than a rag. Given that my dog loves to go to my clothes hamper and pull out my underwear and run around the house with it, I figured a drainrag might wind up in places unknown.

[jhart]

I've used the plastic bag and rubberbands before and it works fine. Most dogs won't go after plastic.

The scrap plywood is also a good idea that I hadn't thought of.

[tfischer]

This is why I was asking for a solution other than a rag. Given that my dog loves to go to my clothes hamper and pull out my underwear and run around the house with it, I figured a drainrag might wind up in places unknown.

But then I'm thinking a dog in a construction area isn't such a great idea anyway!

-Tim