QA

How To Measure Your Toilet Rough In

To measure the rough-in for your toilet, measure from the wall behind to the toilet to the middle of the closet bolt caps on your current toilet. The closet bolts are the bolts holding your toilet to the floor. If you have baseboards or tiling on the wall behind the toilet, do not include those in your measurement.

How do I know if my toilet is a 10 or 12 rough?

If the old toilet is still there, measure from the center of the capped bolts (on the bottom) to the wall (not the baseboard). There should be 24 inches of clearance from the wall facing the bowl and 15 inches on each side as a guideline. If your measurements are between 11.5 and 12.5 inches, it is a 12-inch rough-in.

Can you replace a 14 inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch rough-in toilet?

You can, but the back of the toilet tank will be two inches further away from the wall. The “rough-in” dimension refers to the distance from the wall framing (½-⅝″ behind the finished wall surface) to the center of the sewer pipe on the floor. Standard rough-in is 12 inches.

What is the difference between a 12 and 14 rough-in toilet?

The main difference between 12-inch rough-ins and 14-inch rough-ins is in their size (proportions). Depending on the type of bathroom, 12-inch rough-ins are generally more used than 14-inch rough-ins, but they both have merits, which means that you sometimes need to reduce the space from behind the tank.

What does 14 inch rough-in mean for toilet?

The toilet rough-in refers to the distance from the finished wall to the center of the toilet’s floor drain or waste outlet. Most toilets have a rough-in of 12 inches, although it’s not uncommon for older homes to have an unusual size such as 10″ or 14″. Rear-outlet toilets are configured a bit differently.

Can you replace a 12-inch rough-in toilet with a 10-inch rough-in toilet?

A toilet with a 12-inch rough-in will definitely not fit into a space with a 10-inch rough-in, but a toilet with a 10-inch rough-in actually has extra space in a 12-inch rough-in space.

How do I know what size toilet to buy?

To measure the bowl shape, you can start by putting your measuring tape at the back of the toilet, and extend the tape forward to the end of the bowl, measuring parallel to the floor. The most important measurement you can take for a replacement toilet is the rough-in dimension.

How far from the wall should a toilet rough-in Be?

The Distance To Set The Toilet Flange From The Back Wall. You’ll want to set the center of the water closet flange 12 inches from the finished back wall.

How far should toilet tank be from wall?

The standard distance from the back wall is 12 inches, or 12-1/2 inches from the center of the flange to the wall framing. Minimum distance in front of the toilet to the facing wall or fixture is 21 inches.

How many inches does an offset toilet flange move?

The typical offset is 12-inches for most residential toilets. As a result, the toilet had 4-inches behind the tank. It looked like it was trying to participate in the activities of the bathroom rather than sit quietly until needed.

Can you replace a 13 inch rough-in toilet with a 12 inch rough-in toilet?

That’ll be your rough-in. If your distance if 13″ and you have a 1″ gap between the tank and the wall, then yes, your existing toilet is probably a 12″ toilet. You can indeed have two 12′ toilets that differ in size from one another.

Does toilet rough-in size matter?

For a standard toilet, the rough-in measurement should be between 11 inches and 13 inches. If the rough-in measurement is not between 11 inches and 13 inches, a standard toilet will not fit the space, and you will need to look for a toilet designed for that specific rough-in distance.

How much space do you need behind a toilet?

Most codes require at least 15 inches (measured from the center of the toilet) from any side wall or obstruction and not closer than 30 inches center to center to any other sanitary fixture. (The NKBA actually recommends 32 inches.).

Are you supposed to caulk around a toilet?

Caulk keeps your toilet secure the floor, and avoids any chance of injury or toilet malfunctioning. It’s actually required by the International Plumbing Code to caulk a toilet to the floor, and now knowing the reasoning behind it, why would you not want to?Dec 13, 2021.

Are 1 piece toilets better?

One piece toilets are typically heavier and easier to clean, and there’s less space for bacteria to grow. Because two piece toilets feature a detachable tank, they’re more customizable for preferred styles and heights. Both styles can include bells and whistles like bidet attachments or low-flow energy saving.

Why would I want an elongated toilet bowl?

Elongated bowls are also considered more ‘hygienic’ in that the larger surface area of the bowl makes is easier for men and children to use with less mess. The longer bowl size is also a requirement for ADA use, and the longer/wider bowl is generally easier to use for those with mobility issues.

How often should you replace your toilets?

Typically, toilets need replacement after 25 years of use so this can be considered the average toilet lifespan. Some would argue that the porcelain toilet itself has a much longer, and even unlimited, lifespan and that it’s only the components inside that need repairs and replacements.

Which is better round or elongated toilet?

Most people find elongated toilet bowls to be more comfortable, but in a small bathroom, a round bowl can save space. Elongated toilet bowls measure up to 31″ from the wall, while round fixtures max out at 28″. Because round bowls are less expensive than elongated bowls, they save a few dollars, too.