Toilet Too Far From The Wall? (We Have a Fix!)
Toilets are naturally the centerpiece of any bathroom, but this important fixture is also the starting point for bathroom design. Building codes dictate the placement of a toilet with respect to the cabinetry, walls, and other fixtures. When a toilet is placed wrong within the space, you not only feel uncomfortable, but the plumbing won’t work properly.
Toilets are required to be installed with a minimum distance of 15” from the center of the bowl to the wall behind the tank. The easiest way to fix a toilet that is too far from the wall is with an offset flange. The more expensive and time-consuming way is to have the waste pipe and flange moved.
Let’s take a look at why toilet placement matters and how to fix a toilet that is too far from the wall.
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Measuring for Toilet Placement
When you are roughing in a toilet for your bathroom, there are four important measurements to ensure comfort and a proper setup of your plumbing.
- Left and Right Clearance: Left and right clearance from the toilet fixture and walls is important for comfort.
- Flange to Back Wall: The distance from the flange to the wall behind the toilet ensures that the wastes pipe and other plumbing works properly.
- Proximity to Water Line: The toilet needs to be positioned close enough to the cold-water line for the fixture.
- Front Space: The amount of space in front of the bowl of the toilet needs to be enough to comfortably use the toilet.
How Far is Too Far
Building codes identify the placement of toilets and other fixtures in bathrooms. Ideally, the center of the toilet bowl should be 15” from the wall behind the tank of the toilet and from the walls on either side. You should have at least 24” between the front of the toilet bowl and facing wall. Additionally, there needs to be at least 30” from the center of the toilet bowl to the center of any other fixtures used for sanitary purposes, such as urinals and bidets.
Distance Matters – Here’s Why
If your toilet is installed with less space than what is required by building codes, you not only face issues during inspection, but the fixture is very uncomfortable to use. Plumbing design is another reason for having proper spacing around a toilet. Manufacturers design their toilets to meet standard installation specifications. If the toilet is installed according to different measurements, you will have problems, such as clogs and slow draining from the bowl.
ADA Compliance
If someone in your family has limited mobility, toilet placement needs to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to ADA regulations, toilets must be:
- 17” to 19” from the floor to the top of the seat
- 16” to 18” from the center of the bowl to walls on both sides
- 17” to 19” from the center of the bowl to the walls on both sides if the area is to be considered ambulatory accessible
What to Do If the Toilet is Too Far from the Wall
There are two ways to fix a toilet that is too far from the wall – with an offset flange and relocating the waste pipe.
Offset Flange
The flange of a toilet is a piece of hardware that connects the plumbing under the toilet to the base of the toilet. Standard flanges are vertical, and offset flanges are angled. Fixing a toilet that is too far from the wall with an offset flange is a quick and affordable solution.
The downside of an offset flange is that the bowl may not drain each time you flush. Correct this with a stronger flush valve.
Relocate the Waste Pipe
Relocating the waste pipe under the toilet is an expensive proposition, but it may be the only option in some cases. Remove the toilet from the flange, as well as the subflooring and concrete slab around the toilet. Make sure to remove enough of the subflooring and slab for the new position of the toilet. Reroute the plumbing pipes, fill in the hole with concrete, and install new subflooring. Finish the job by installing new flooring and mounting the toilet on the flange.
Other Ways to Use an Offset Flange
Offset flanges not only move a toilet closer to the back wall, but the hardware can also be used to move a toilet in any direction. Some of the most common problems that can be fixed with an offset flange are:
- Tank is too far forward
- Seat is too far forward
- Bowl is too far from the wall
- Toilet is too close to the wall
Problems That Require Moving the Waste Pipe
Unfortunately, there are some toilet problems that can only be fixed by moving the waste pipe rather than installing an offset flange. Offset flanges will only move the toilet about 2” in any direction. If your toilet needs to be moved more than 2”, the plumbing needs to be rerouted.
Related Questions
How can I fix a toilet paper dispenser that is too far away?
Move the toilet paper dispenser to part of the wall that is closer to the seat. You can mount it on a wall to the left or right, or in front of the toilet. Another option is to buy a freestanding toilet paper dispenser.
How can I fix a toilet that wobbles?
Sitting on a toilet that rocks and wobbles is not only uncomfortable, but the movement damages the flange. Replace the flange, and tighten the bolts on either side of the toilet bowl.
How do I fix a toilet that leaks around the base?
Leaking around the bottom of the toilet is a sign of a damaged flange or the wax ring between the flange and base of the toilet. Remove the toilet from the flange by loosening the bolts on both sides of the bowl. If the flange is in good shape, replace the wax ring. If the flange is damaged, replace it. Reinstall the toilet and tighten the bolts at the base.
What can I do about an uneven floor around the toilet?
Gaps around the base of a toilet are signs of a damaged flange or uneven floor. Check the flange, and replace it if it is damaged. If the flange is not damaged, fill the gaps around the base of the toilet with caulk.
What can I do about a lopsided toilet?
A damaged flange or uneven concrete slab makes your toilet lopsided. Replace the flange to see if that fixes the problem. If the concrete slab is uneven, use shims to level the toilet. Place a level on the tank. Add shims under each side of the base until it levels from side to side. Check the level from back to front. Add add shims to center the bubble on the level.
Should I install rails around my toilet?
Handrails around a toilet help people with limited mobility to safely sit down and stand. When you install the rails, check to make sure that there is still enough room for a wheelchair and other medical equipment. If you have a smaller toilet area, a better solution is to have the individual use a walker to stabilize while standing and sitting down on the toilet.
How do I install a wax ring on a toilet flange?
The wax ring fits inside the flange. Replace the ring, and attach the toilet to the flange. Tighten the bolts on either side of the toilet bowl. Sit on the toilet to seat it into the wax ring. Do not rock back and forth, as this will damage the flange. Stay seated on the toilet for about two to three minutes.
Why are the bolts of my toilet rusted?
Rusted bolts at the base of your toilet indicate a leak inside the fixture. Remove the toilet from the flange, and replace the flange and wax seal.
Do You Need to Install or Repair a Toilet?
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What Did We Learn?
Building codes outline requirements for where to place a toilet in a bathroom. Toilet placement affects comfort and how well the fixture and plumbing works. The center of the bowl should be 15” from the finished wall behind the tank and the walls on either side. For people with limited mobility, bathrooms must meet ADA requirements.
If the toilet is too far from the wall within 2”, use an offset flange to move the fixture. You may also need to install a stronger flush valve if the bowl does not drain after installing the offset flange.
The only option for moving a toilet more than 2″ in any direction is to relocate the waste pipe and reroute the plumbing. Remove the toilet from the flange, and remove the subflooring and concrete slab. Reroute the plumbing pipes, and reinstall the toilet. Replace the flooring.
Offset flanges fix other problems with toilet position in a bathroom, such as a toilet that is too close to one of the walls to sit comfortably.
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Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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