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.
Why Do I Need To Know If My Installation Is A Barrier
For threshold installs, we recommend the drain run exactly wall-to-wall to block any water from leaving the shower or wet area. We do not recommend linear drains less than 2 wide or Tile Insert Frame linear drains for threshold installations without a curb due to the lack of channel width needed to sufficiently catch the water.
Installing a shower drain without a curb, barrier, or threshold creates a seamless look with easy accessibility to the wet area. To achieve an ideal installation, floor heights should be equal between the shower area , outside the shower , and next room.
Please consult a licensed professional when determining which installation is possible.
How Do I Know What Size Of Shower I Need Installed
Consider all of your options before deciding on the optimal shower size for your bathroom and lifestyle. The following are some of the questions you should ask yourself:
- Who will be the most frequent users of this shower?
- What, if any, modifications are required?
Careful preparation can help you be more satisfied with the ultimate result, allowing you to relax instead of worrying about your new shower.
After youve answered these questions, consider the following guidelines for selecting the appropriate shower size.
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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.
Why Do I Need To Know The Waterproofing
The type of waterproofing can help determine which linear drain series to specify. If using a traditional type of waterproofing, the professional will typically build a shower pan with PVC, Vinyl, Lead, Hot Mop, Copper or Fiberglass material. If using a modern type of waterproofing such as liquid or a fabric install, the professional can waterproof over a greater floor area to build a barrier free or zero threshold installation.
Most often, plumbers will install a linear with a clamping floor drain to be used with traditional waterproofing.
Most often, tile setters will install a linear with modern type of waterproofing.
Note: Some areas in the US require specific types of waterproofing. Be sure to check with your installation professional about the waterproofing method being used before selecting a drain.
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Complete The Drain Hookup
Family Handyman
The new shower stall base will have directions to guide you through the final drain hookup your drain system may vary from ours. But our shower stall bases directions were to anchor the base to the studs with screws and washers and then push the rubber gasket into place and seat it with a nut driver. Basic directions for how to complete the drain hookup for the new shower stall base are to cut the tailpiece and cement it at the right height. If your drain has a thick rubber gasket, wet it with soapy water and then work it around the tailpiece pipe. Finish seating it by driving it down with a blunt tool.
Attach the drain cover to the drain opening.
A Closer Look At A Two
When it comes to designing the perfect two-person shower, its all about what makes the couple the most comfortable. Some of the most common sizes for a two-person shower are 3 x 5 feet and 4 x 6 feet. However, some are even larger if space allows.
You also need two showerheads or a large overhead rainfall-style showerhead in a two-person shower. If you use two separate showerheads, you usually place them on opposite walls of the shower.
However, if you opt to place the showerheads on the same wall, position them at least three feet apart. Each person must have enough space to move around freely.
Another consideration for a two-person shower is the drain. A standard shower requires a minimum 2-inch drain pipe. However, since two people are using the shower, you might want to go with a 4-inch pipe to account for extra drainage.
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Mount The Mixing Valve And Redo The Supply Lines
Family Handyman
Unless youre planning to reuse all of the existing supply lines and valves, simply cut out and remove everything and start fresh. Use a hacksaw or a reciprocating saw.
If youve chosen a shower base thats wider than the tub, center the new mixing valve and showerhead over the base. Choose a valve height thats comfortable to reach and clears any obstacles, and make sure the showerhead lands either above or below the top edge of the shower enclosure or tile. Mount the mixing valve first, following the manufacturers instructions, and run new CPVC or copper tubing from the ball valve to the mixing valve and showerhead. Cap the tub spout outlet on the underside of the mixing valve. Youll need to add blocking to support it.
There may be a threaded nipple or hole in the bottom of the mixing valve for a tub spout. Be sure to cap that. After everything is together, shut off the mixing valve, turn on the water and check for leaks.
Where Should A Rain Shower Head Be Placed
Everyone loves a relaxing and cozy shower after a long day, but not all head showers can offer that calming sensation yet, only rain head showers can give a comfy experience when showering.
Thus, rain showers are an amazing stress relief method. A hot rain shower increases the circulation over the body and even helps with respiratory illness. All this, in combination, relaxes the body muscles making them relieve stress.
And for those who love cold showers, a chilly rain shower can activate the body and help to calm irritated skin. Hot or cold, a shower rain will offer a relief sensation over the body.
A rain shower can be used for therapeutic purposes since it brings many benefits. To achieve a therapeutic shower, these have to cover the body extension in a consistent waterfall.
Not too hot, not too cold, a refreshing rain shower will leave a refreshing effect on the body. But it is not about simply placing the rain shower head it actually has a specific distance where this is placed to enhance the showering experience and make the shower look good.
The person is taking a shower needs space to move freely all over the shower cabin. This includes when the person moves its arms up and down and doesnt hit the showerhead. Thus, to offer that therapeutic effect the showerhead should have a specific measure. To accomplish all this, the showerhead has to:
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Ways To Make Room For A Walk
You dont need a big bathroom for a walk-in shower. In fact, walk-in showers are actually an excellent way to save space in a smaller bathroom.
A few ways to make room for a walk-in shower is to forego a bathtub and mount a floating sink. However, if its your homes only bathtub, you might want to rethink your plans. For resale purposes, its typically good to have at least one tub in your house.
Summary: How Much Space Do You Need Around A Toilet
If your remodeling a bathroom or designing one for a new home then positioning your toilet is one of the most important decisions youll make. Everyone always wants to jump ahead and start picking tile, fixtures, colors, trim and cabinetry. But the first step in designing a bathroom is the layout. And we always start with the toilet. So how much space do you need around a toilet?
The area around the toilet is very important to get right because its a code issue. There are codes that dictate how much room you need to either side and in front of the toilet. If you want the bathroom design to be legal then the layout is very important. Especially if the bathroom is small. The toilet position is one of the main factors that determines where everything else in the bathroom goes. You can eliminate things like a shower or tub from the bathroom and its still a bathroom. But the one thing you absolutely have to have is the toilet. And its location effects other very important things like drains, vents and water lines. Then there are other concerns like the type of toilet youll be using because they come in different sizes. Its a lot to consider.
If you have any questions or comments e-mail us any time. Wed love to hear from you.
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The Dimensions Of A Walk
The ideal dimensions for your walk-in shower depend on a couple of things. First, you need to consider the overall size of your bathroom. You dont want your shower to overtake the space .
On the flip side, you dont want to make your shower too small for the people who will use it. There needs to be enough space for an adequate range of motion while showering.
According to the International Residential Code, the interior of a shower must be at least 30 by 30 inches square. However, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a minimum interior shower space of 36 by 36 inches. Therefore, if your bathroom is on the smaller side, this might be the right size for you.
However, if you have more space to spare, 42 by 60 inches is a good size for one standing adult. This shower size provides more comfort with extra room to spread out a bit. Its also a more ideal minimum size for a walk-in shower.
Of course, if you can eke out a bit more space, even better. If you dont plan to use a barrier for overspray, your shower area should be 72 by 72 inches minimum.
Keeping Things Dry With A Walk
Since theres no curb to help contain the water, make sure your floor slopes toward the shower drain. The larger the shower, the gentler slope you can use.
Since you want the floor surface to have a seamless transition, you need to drop the subfloor in the shower. This way you can get a sufficiently deep mortar bed for your tile, at least 1 ½ to 2 inches. The top of the drain should set below the subfloor.
You might even want to consider adding an extra drain. Use a barrier for overspray where applicable, and consider a rainfall shower nozzle. Also, since its likely items in your bathroom will get wet, use waterproof lights and fixtures and non-slippery flooring. If possible, leave 6 feet of open space outside of your shower if you dont plan to use any barriers.
With no door to help keep steam in the shower, your bathroom is more susceptible to excess humidity. This can lead to mold growth, so its critical to install a good ventilation fan in your bathroom.
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Measure Your Available Space
Shower size dimensions only account for interior shower space thus, a shower installation should take into account the complete amount of space available in the bathroom.
Because some shower alternatives have a minimum or maximum recommended height, measure the height of the area first. Then calculate the square footage by first determining the depth of the space, then the breadth.
The Dimensions Of A Standard Shower
The ideal size for a standard shower is 48 x36, but it can be as small as 30 x30. The latter size is the absolute minimum size for a shower. One of the most affordable shower choices is a prefab shower kit.
A standard shower is traditionally set up using enclosed panels and some type of shower door. These showers commonly feature a shower pan and either a framed or frameless glass panel enclosure. You can place various tile styles or other surfaces on the floor and walls to create unique designs.
You can purchase shower kits in various sizes, ranging from 36 to 42 inches square. Smaller kits, measuring 32 by 32 inches, can cost as low as $400. You can also find larger units, like 30 by 60 inches, for closer to $1,800.
These prices are for the shower and dont include any installation costs. With installation, a shower can run between $3,000 to $4,000. Of course, the bigger and fancier the shower, the higher the price.
Shower enclosures are a good option for small bathrooms since the panels help with overspray.
Standard enclosure shower sizes:
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Shower Drain Tip #2 Dont Assume A Center Drain Is Best
In many tile installation forums, youll be advised to locate the drain in the center because its simplest to slope a tile shower drain in the middle to make the pitch consistent. However, in your common 48 x 36 size a center drain will also force you to stand smack dab in the middle of the drain. This not only isnt comfortable, its also downright nasty when your partner or family members hair causes the drain to CONSTANTLY be clogged!
First, I want you to know it doesnt have to be a pain to slope any drain. It CAN be easy whether its for a tile shower pan or a cultured stone shower base. You see for a tile pan you can buy a premade waterproof ready for tile base where the slope is already built for you . And with a cultured granite shower pan the slope is built into the pan with no tiles. AND the bonus is you can blow up cleaning grout joints FOREVER!
At the end of the day its best to locate the drain hole where itll work best for you. I recommend the drain be 12 from the shower head wall in front of you when showering . This keeps you from standing in the drain and pools of water when it gets clogged.
Linear Shower Drain Placement
Homeowners like linear drains because they look very cool, and the shower floors don’t need to be sloped in more than one direction unless you install the drain in the middle. The writers at Easy Drain explain that you should place these kinds of drains against the wall in a three-sided installation, sloping towards it from all angles. These drains normally sit about 3 to 5 inches away from a shower’s wall. Before beginning any installation, it’s best to take measurements to ensure that you center the drain in its space.
A corner shower drain placement must also be at the lowest spot in the shower otherwise, the water will not drain properly, and you could wind up with some minor flooding every time you shower. It’s best to keep it a few inches from both corners so water doesn’t sit in the corner.
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Does A Shower Drain Need A Trap
A trap is necessary to protect the shower drain from harmful substances in the sewer. Most shower drains come equipped with a P-trap which acts as a shield between microorganisms, toxins, and sewer gases to prevent them from entering your home. They also redirect the flow of wastewater away from your living place.
Why Choose A Linear Drain
Also called a trough or trench drain, a linear drain is a rectangular-shaped drain that allows for the use of larger format floor tile and the ability to pitch the floor in one direction. This offers an advantage from the traditional center drain installation, where the floor must slope in four directions in order to drain the water properly.
Benefits of a linear drain installation include:
- No limitation on tile size or slab material
- Can be placed as a threshold or curb
- Meets ADA requirements for handicap shower entry
- No boundaries on design because of the drain location
- Drains water more efficiently
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How Do I Choose A Linear Drain Size
The first is the width of the drain. The second is the length of the drain. The third is the size of the drain hole. The fourth is the spacing of the drain holes.
The width of the drain should be at least the width of the shower stall. The length of the drain should be at least the length of the shower stall. The size of the drain hole should be at least 1/2 inch.
The spacing of the drain holes should be at least 2 inches.