toilet rough in

[jvtran04]

I am confused as to what the correct answer to this question is.

My basement had a toilet rough in alreadly in place. right behind that is a 2" vent pipe running horizontally so i am forced to place the wall in this spot. in doing so, this leaves me exactly 12" from the stud wall to the center of the toilet pipe.

Now my dilemna is that all the reserch i've done on the internet and information i received from hardware stores employees is telling me that if i use a 12" rough in toilet, the 12" is from the center of the pipe to a finished wall, not the stud.

My plumber is telling me that from his experience, it is 12" from the center of the pipe to the stud wall NOT the finished(drywall) wall.

who is correct? do i listen to the plumber OR to my other sources? the wall behind the toilet is already in place,

please help...

[LazyPup]

The toilet flange backset is not specified by code but is determined by the physical requirements of the toilet. For most toilets the correct spacing is 12" from the finished wall, however, in instance where you cannot get the 12" backset they make toilets with a 10" setback.

Offset flanges are prohibited.

The toilet flange should be set with the underside of the flange flush with the finished floor, which leaves the top 1/4 to 3/8" above the finished floor. The code prohibits the flange top from being flush with or recessed below the finished floor.

There are a couple other dimensions you should be aware of. The codes require a minimum of 15" from the center of the closet flange to each side.

Depending upon what codes are in force in your locality there is a frontal clearance that is measured from the front edge of the bowl to the finished wall.

The International Residential Code frontal clearance is 21"
The Uniform Plumbing Cocde frontal clearance is 24"

Before you close the wall, there may also be a problem with that 2" vent. Can you give more details on what it is connected to and how it runs and height above the floor.

[kactuskid]

quote:Originally posted by LazyPup


Offset flanges are prohibited.

They are? Didn't know that. Why are they sold then, I would think they are allowed on a 4" drain. Thanks

[LazyPup]

Hardware stores are full of things that are code prohibited,,its a buyer beware market...

"No offset or reducing floor flanges" International Residential Code (IRC 3002.3.1) Uniform Plumbind Code (UPC 408.5)

"No Female threaded PVC fittings" (IRC 2904.16.2) (UPC 606.2.2)

"No S-Traps, Bell traps, Crown vented traps, drum traps, or traps with moving parts" (IRC 320.5)( UPC 1004.0)

[kactuskid]

Well, I guess it really goes by what the local codes are rather than the IRC or the UPC. There are a few locals that I know of, one being the city of Elmhurst Il, that require a drum trap be installed on a tub. Take a look at step 27.27 d) on page 10 of this link:

http://www.elmhurst.org/elmhurst/clerk/municipalguide/pdf/ILElmhurstT27.pdf

I agree, it's a buyer beware market out there, but the the local authority may not have a problem with it. Just depends I guess. Anyhow, thanks for the info, appreciate the references.

What type of trap is one to use under a sink that drains through the floor if not an S trap. Or is the rule for no new installations of an S trap.

[LazyPup]

Kactus,,if the code in that link is the current code for your jurisdiction they are grossly out of date. The opening part of that code states it is based upon the 1993 BOCA code.

When I purchase a Code book I always make a point of paying the extra money to get the looseleaf binder edition and subscribe to the changes, as the codes are commonly changed quarterly.

I would certainly contact your local code authority to see if it has been updated, as there are many provisions in that code that will not meet any of the state of the art codes.

If you will look in the illustration forum,on the top of page 2, I previously posted an illustration detailing how to convert an S-trap to a P-trap.

[kactuskid]

That's not my local, but sounds like that city definatly has a problem then. That link is listed on their cities website. Wonder how many other cities in the country are in the same boat with outdated codes they go by.

Thanks for all the info, it's appreciated

[Hube]

There appears to be no problem what-so-ever in using an offset flange for a toilet in Canada,.

[Dean]

Although the distance is supposed to be 12" from the finished wall for a "12 rough" in water closet, most of them I've seen will be fine with 11 1/2" rough in (12" from studs)

Having said that, I will say that I have seen a few that the tank lid wouldn't fit properly do to the tank being to close to the wall too but then maybe they were roughed in at 11" [?]

[jvtran04]

ok, so as i understand it now, some toilet will work with a 11 1/2" distance and some will need a 12" distance. correct.

as for the 2" pipe, i mistated, it is going from the concrete floor vertically and not horizontally. it goes from floor to ceiling, acroos floor joists, then vents into the other main vent pipe.

If i do decide to install a offset flange, how much wil that offset?

thanks!

[LazyPup]

Even if it were code compliant, i would be very hesitant to install an offset flange in this application. You are only looking at potentially a 1/2" difference between the stud wall and the finished sheet rock, whereas an off set flange would off set either 1.5 or 2". In this instance I would first double check the actual measurement of the toilet. In all probability the toilet will allow the 1/2 difference and in practice offset flanges tend to be problamatic as they tend to clog more than a straight flange.

[jvtran]

ok thanks

[andrewcanada]

So even though offset flanges are not code compliant, my 29 unit apt building has a few roughed in floor flanges set at 8 or 9" from the finished wall. I'm not sure how the original toilets were ever installed, but I've got to deal with it. I could cut the ceiling open and extend the pipe, but what a pain![V] I've looked and Googled high and low and have not found a low profile offst (3") floor flange. Any ideas???[?][?][?] I realize I would have space the toilet with a shim of plywood. That's life. [xx(]

[andrewcanada]

So even though offset flanges are not code compliant, my 29 unit apt building has a few roughed in floor flanges set at 8 or 9" from the finished wall. I'm not sure how the original toilets were ever installed, but I've got to deal with it. I could cut the ceiling open and extend the pipe, but what a pain![V] I've looked and Googled high and low and have not found a low profile offst (3") floor flange. Any ideas???[?][?][?] I realize I would have space the toilet with a shim of plywood. That's life. [xx(]

[zipper]

I have discovered after removing my old toilet to replace it that I on have 9" rough in and the 10" toilet will not fit both the wall and the bolts. Is there a solution to a less tahtn 10" rough in or does someone make one shorter than 10". Please help... I'm stuck.