Is There A Trap In A Toilet
Toilets have their own built-in traps, and so do floor drains. If you dont have anything draining to your floor drain on a regular basis, the water in the trap may evaporate. One fix is to pour some RV antifreeze into the drain.
What Is A Toilet Rough
The rough-in size of a toilet is the distance between the bare wall and the center of the toilet drainpipe, also known as the toilet flange. An accurate rough-in size ensures there will be enough space between the drainpipe and the wall for the backside of your toilet and the toilet tank of your toilet to fit when installed.
When purchasing a new toilet, measuring and knowing the correct toilet rough-in should be your number one priority.
Before And After A Bathroom Plumbing Rough
Here is the construction process before and after the rough-in:
- Before the rough-in, the wall, floor and ceiling systems are built and left open, with no drywall installed.
- The plumbing rough-in begins when all the water supply and drain lines have been run through bored holes in the studs and other framing members. All pipe connections have been made but no sinks, faucets or end elements have been installed.
- Between the rough-in and the installation of the fixtures, the water supply lines will be capped, and the drain lines covered.
- The rough-in plumbing must be pressure-tested before it is considered complete.
- After the rough-in is completed, the plumbing must be inspected, usually by a code enforcement officer.
- If the house will have a concrete slab foundation, the concrete is usually poured after the plumbing rough-in.
- The finished plumbing phase includes full installation and connection of plumbing fixtures and the caulking, sealing and testing of new connections.
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Choose A Toilet Vent Or Drain Configuration
Toilet Vent Option 1: Indirect Connection
If the toilet drain does not connect directly to a vent, you must find another way to vent it. If the drain line runs away from the wall where you want the vent, use a reducing Y and a 45-degree street elbow to point the vent line toward the wall. The horizontal vent pipe runs right next to the closet bend.
Toilet Vent Option 2: Parallel
If the vent wall is parallel to the drain pipe, install a 45-degree reducing Y and a street elbow to point toward the wall. You might need another elbow to position the vertical vent where you want it.
Toilet Vent Option 3: Opposite Side
If the vent wall is opposite the drain line, use a reducing Y and a street elbow. The fittings can be pointed straight at the wall or at an angle, as needed.
Rules For Toilet Drains And Vents

- *Always check with your local plumbing authority before attempting any project yourself.
- The toilet flange and all downstream piping must be at least 3 with no reduction in size.
- The trap arm of a toilet can only change direction by 225 degrees.
- A toilets drain must be run at 1/4 per foot minimum grade when horizontal.
- A toilet cannot be installed upstream of any wet vented fixture.
- The maximum vertical fall of the drain is 1 meter and the maximum horizontal run is 3 meters before it connects to a vent.
- All downstream drainage after the connection of a third toilet on the same horizontal pipe must be 4 diameter or larger.
- Toilets do not require a trap to be installed as they have an integral trap.
- If the toilet is going to be Wet Vented the portion of the pipe that is acting as both a drain and a vent must be at least 2 in size but also depends on the number of fixtures For a standard 4 piece bath a 2 wet vent will suffice.
- A vent serving a toilet must be at least 1-1/2
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Measuring Clearance Behind The Toilet
Tip: If the flange is in the corner of a room, you may be confused by which wall is technically behind it. Look for the supply line for the water. It is a small knob sticking out of the wall 210 inches about the ground. The wall with this knob on it will be the back wall.
How To Measure Rough
Sometimes, plumbers install toilets with the back facing a corner instead of flashing against a wall. If that is the case with your bathroom, it complicates the process of measuring the rough-in.
To get a precise measurement for a corner toilet, begin by placing the measuring tape against one wall, ignoring any baseboard.
Now pull the other side of the tape and take the measurement to the central bolts. Repeat the process for the opposite wall that the toilet unit sits against. Typically, the two measurements should generate the same measurement, which is the rough-in. Here is a list of corner toilets to explore.
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How To Measure A Toilet Rough In
Youve decided to get a new toilet. Maybe youre upgrading from the decades old crapper you have in your bathroom. Or maybe youre remodeling or building a new house.
A walk down the bathroom aisle at your local home improvement store will highlight the latest and greatest toilets, as well an Internet search that tells you about water efficiency and superior flushing power.
But before you decide on a toilet, youll need to understand a little more about your plumbing. If youre prepared youll know the rough in measurement of your plumbing and it will help ensure you choose a toilet that fits!
What exactly is a rough in and how do you measure a toilet rough in? In this article, well get to the bottom of it.
Ill share 4 different methods of measuring your rough in, including 1) Measuring with an existing toilet installed, 2) Measuring on a remodel, 3) Measuring on the foundation of your home , and 4) Measuring for a corner toilet.
Ill also share the standard size for a toilet rough in . Once you know the rough in for your home, making a toilet purchase will be a breeze.
Bigger Toilet Models Equal More Space
You know that toilets come in different shapes, weights, and sizes. You can opt for an elongated or round toilet seat and bowl, but that doesnt influence the rough-in position most toilets have a standard waste outlet mechanism.
The same goes for toilets of different weights and sizes. Larger toilet bowls dont necessarily mean youll need a longer rough-in. Remember that the final setup depends on the size of your bathroom and the position of the toilet flange.
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How To Measure A Toilet Rough
The toilet rough-in is very straightforward when the toilet isnt there and the floor is bare. Heres how to measure a toilet-rough in if you dont already have a toilet installed:
Whats The Right Toilet Distance From The Wall And Other Obstructions
Posted on Last updated: February 7, 2022
If youre planning to replace or readjusting your toilet, youll want to ensure that you calculate the toilet rough-in distances. For those who are unfamiliar with what this is, a toilets rough-in distance consists of four different dimensions. They include:
- The proper distance from the back wall to the toilet flange.
- The correct amount of space on both the right and left side of the toilet.
- The right amount of space in front of the toilet bowl.
- The best spot to put the cold-water supply line in.
As youre calculating this information, its best to write this data down for reference. Youll also want to doublecheck yourself to ensure all the measurements are correct. Miscalculations can result in unnecessary problems, like leaking or uncomfortable seating. Take your time and get it right. You wont be sorry.
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How Can I Cap An Old Shower Drain
You can buy a pipe cap with a rubber seal to permanently seal your old shower drain. Install this by fitting it over the old drain, level with the floor.
Some caps include a wingnut tightening system. Others feature an expanding rubber ring. Therefore, you should follow the directions on the package.
Where Should The Cold

The first thing youll want to do is measure 6 to the left of your toilet flange. From there, measure 7 up the wall from the finished floor. Make sure you have your calculations correct. If the water line is too low, youll have to notch the trim. This is a hassle and a pain in the neck. To be safe, you can go higher if you want.
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What Does A Bathroom Rough
Follow these steps during a bathroom plumbing rough-in:
1. Determine the location of the plumbing centerlines for the toilet, sink and shower or bath.
2. Measure and mark the height and horizontal placement of each fixtures supply lines.
3. Measure and mark the distance of each fixtures drain from the back wall.
4. Measure and mark the minimum clearance from the front and sides of the fixtures.
A bathroom plumbing rough-in includes running the water supply and drain lines through bored holes in the wall studs and other framing members. A key part of the rough-in is making measurements and diagrams for the bathroom layout and the locations of the supply and drain lines for each fixture. The rough-in ensures the plumbing lines are properly placed and the fixtures will have ample clearance before installation.
Measuring Rough In With Existing Toilet
Most people will need to know their rough in while theyve still got a toilet attached to the ground. If you cant see the plumbing in the floor then how can you measure?
Toilet companies have made it easy for us because the bolts that attach the toilet to the flood are set in on the center of our plumbing.
On either side of your toilet, youll see two bolts . Measure from the center of those caps or bolts to the wall and that measurement is your rough in.
Do not measure from the baseboard, instead, measure from the wall .
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Try Offset Commode Flange
The other viable option you should try out in resolving old 8-inch rough-in size issues of your toilet is using the commode flange drainpipe. Replace the pipeline with a 1- or 2-inch offset flange. This option is one of the most inexpensive ways of resolving the 8-inch rough-in toilet problem in your bathroom. This solution works best for toilets with rough-in sizes that are too close to the basement walls.
A commode flange is the electrical drain outlet connection device for fixing the commode. Your existing toilet may have an older flange shaft that protrudes under the floors surface to attach the toilet to the sewer line. The capacity for balancing out a new Offset Commode Flange ought to be 1 or 2 inches. That means youll have to move the toilets center by a distance of 1 or 2 inches from the wall surface.
At a clearance of 8 or 9 inches, you need to enhance the size to a 10-inch rough-in size. Furthermore, there are better rough-in size commodes on the market, such as the 10-inch Toto Drake bathroom that you can invest in, and youre good to go.
This is the most affordable and quickest way of resolving the current 8-inch rough-in toilet installation problem youre facing. However, you may need to chisel out part of your bathroom to resolve the problem with a countered flange.
Below are some great 10-inch rough-in toilets you could op for:
Mistakes To Avoid When Measuring A Rough
As mentioned, do not measure from the wall’s baseboard because it could throw off the measurement. Also, do not measure from bolt caps if they are not centered on your discharge hole. That rough-in must be right in the middle of your pipe. Be sure to check your measurements at least twice to ensure accuracy.
If you need to replace the seat of your toilet, these are also easy to measure. Yours will be round or elongated, and both usually come in standard sizes. Measure from the center of the seat’s mounting holes. Usually, it is 5 1/2 inches with a midpoint around 2 3/4 inches. Now, measure from that midpoint to the outside edge of the toilet bowl rim. Round toilet bowls are usually about 16 1/2 inches, while elongated bowls are 18 1/2 inches. Most manufactured toilet seats should fit these measurements.
Things You Will Need
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A ruler, straight-edge, or tape measure
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Do And Donts In Toilet
When using the restroom, its important to practice proper hygiene and follow certain etiquette. Here are some dos and donts for using the toilet:
Dos:
1. Close the toilet lid before flushing. This helps keep germs from spreading.
2. Wash your hands after using the toilet before heading out.
3. Disinfect the surface of the toilet seat and flush handle with a disinfecting wipe or spray before using the restroom.
4. Let other people in the house or business know when you are done using the restroom so they can use it.
Donts:
How To Measure For A Toilet Seat
There are a variety of types of toilet seats and styles. Options include:
- Round This is the standard seat type, found in many homes and businesses. This shape is the most space-effective if youre dealing with a tight or awkward space.
- Elongated Elongated seats are slightly longer than a round seat. They are most frequent in homes or commercial applications. Many consider elongated seats to be the most comfortable.
- Open front Open-front seats are common in public restrooms. Shaped like a U, open-front seats are the most sanitary option for public areas, since genitals wont touch the seat and urine is less likely to hit the front of the seat.
- Childrens seats Childrens seats are securely attached to the toilet, so they wont shift or slide around. This setup makes them perfect for children learning to sit on the toilet. Childrens seats are also safe for adults, and theyre easy to remove when theyre no longer necessary.
- Raised/chair height Raised seats are set higher than standard seats, making it easier to stand up after sitting. They are the best option for people with mobility challenges.
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The Clearance From The Middle Of The Toilet To Adjacent Fixtures Or Sidewalls
You need a minimum of 15 inches from the center of your toilet unit to any adjacent bathroom fixture or sidewalls. However, its acceptable to have even more room if you have a spacious bathroom.
So, if you have a bath vanity, sidewalls, bathtubs, showerheads, and other bathroom fixtures next to your toilet, the clearance has to be at least 15 inches from the center of the toilet. Keep in mind that if youre measuring from a stud wall, you still need to add in the thickness of the wall.
The Ultimate Guide To Toilet Rough

Installing a new toilet feels like solving an equation with multiple variables. You need to learn unknown terms and processes, with toilet rough-in dimensions being one of the strangest.
But its not as hard as it seems because you can measure the rough-in very quickly. All you need is a measuring tape and some ground-level knowledge of your toilets position.
Lets show you how!
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