What is a toilet rough-in?
A toilet rough-in is the distance between the bathroom wall behind your toilet and the center of the drainpipe, which serves as the outlet for waste disposal.
Getting the toilet rough-in dimensions right is critical for a successful toilet installation. If you get the measurements wrong, you risk misalignment between the toilet and plumbing. The result: potential complications and mistakes during installation.
Wondering how to measure the size of your rough-in? We'll guide you through the process for standard toilets below.
Remember, if at any point this becomes overwhelming to you, consider hiring a plumber. It might save you a lot of time, energy, and even sanity.
1. Gather your supplies.
Gathering the necessary supplies is the first step in ensuring an accurate measurement of your toilet rough-in size. Make sure you have:
- A tape measure
- A pencil
- Paper to record the dimensions
You can also record the measurements on your phone, but double-check that you're writing down or typing the correct measurements.
2. Locate the drainpipe or toilet mounting bolts.
This is a critical starting point for the measurement process. However, it depends on whether your toilet has been installed or removed.
If your toilet is still installed, locate the toilet's mounting bolts. These are located at the base of the toilet.
Have you already removed your existing toilet? Find the drainpipe (also called a toilet flange) on the floor. It's a round hole that's easy to find.
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3. Measure the rough-in distance.
Once you have found the center of the drainpipe or bolts, you're ready to start measuring.
If your bathroom has a toilet, measure from the finished wall behind the toilet tank to the middle of the mounting bolt caps that keep the toilet in place. If your bathroom doesn't have a toilet, measure from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the toilet's drainpipe or flange.
The standard toilet rough-in is usually 12 inches, but sometimes the measurements are 10 inches or 14 inches. If your measurements are drastically different, measure again.
Once you have your measurements, you can continue with your bathroom renovation or toilet installation project.
- Measure twice, especially if your measurements don't come out to 10, 12, or 14 inches (or at least close to it). This will help ensure accuracy.
- Only measure if you have a finished bathroom wall. Only take these measurements in a bathroom where the wall has been completed. The rough-in distance may change if, for example, you add tiles or cladding to the wall.
- Make sure the bolt caps are properly aligned. These bolts can sometimes become uncentered, which can throw off your measurements.
- Don’t measure the baseboard. Avoid measuring from the baseboard that runs along the bathroom floor. Always start above the baseboard
- Reassess your toilet rough-in measurements during renovations or changes to the bathroom structure. This gives you an opportunity to accommodate any modifications and guarantee a seamless fit.
When to DIY vs. hire pros to rough-in your toilet.
Whether or not you want to take a DIY approach to measure your toilet rough-in size yourself depends largely on your confidence and measuring skills. It's an exact art, and getting the measurement wrong can cause a big setback in your installation trajectory.
If you're comfortable making the measurement, then go for it. However, if you're even slightly concerned you may get the measurements wrong, the best thing to do is hire a plumber.
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Hire a plumber or toilet installation service near you.
A plumber or toilet installation service will be able to get the perfect toilet rough-in dimensions for you. You could even get them to install the whole toilet system, plumbing and all.
If you do decide to hire a professional, start your search on Thumbtack. Download the Thumbtack app so you can get free estimates from professionals near you.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a 10- or 12-inch rough-in toilet?
Do you have more questions? We've got you covered.
To tell whether you have a 10- or 12-inch toilet rough-in, follow the steps outlined above. Measure from the wall behind the toilet right up to the closest bolts on your existing toilet.
If the measurement is around 10 inches, that would be a 10-inch rough-in. If your measurement is closer to 12 inches, then you're dealing with a 12-inch rough-in.
Can you replace a 14-inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch rough-in toilet?
Yes, it is possible, but it is far from ideal. Replacing a 14-inch toilet rough-in with a 12-inch toilet rough-in will require extensive plumbing work. Unless you are a skilled and experienced plumber or handyman, this would be a job for a professional.
Can toilet rough-in measurements change?
Yes, toilet rough-in measurements can change, but that typically occurs during renovations or remodeling projects. If you're changing the layout of your bathroom or making changes to the plumbing, the rough-in distance may need to be adjusted.
Additionally, if you're installing a new toilet with a different rough-in size, modifications to the existing plumbing may be necessary. It's crucial to measure and confirm the rough-in distance whenever you undertake significant bathroom modifications to ensure proper alignment and a successful installation.
