How to Rotate a Toilet | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner rotate a toilet to a more sensible orientation.

Time: 2 hours
Skill Level: Moderate

Tools:
Wrench
Latex Gloves
Plastic Putty Knife
Drill with masonry bit
Screwdriver
Mini-hacksaw

Shopping List:
14” Rough-In Toilet
Flange Repair Kit
Wax Ring
Flexible Supply Hose
Closet nuts and washers

Steps:
1. A standard toilet has a 12” rough in dimension- the distance from the wall to the toilet bolts.
2. If the new toilet location differs from standard, a 10” or 14” rough in toilet can be ordered to better fit.
3. Before doing any plumbing work, ensure water is off at the toilet and the tank and bowl are drained.
4. Remove the closet nuts holding the toilet to the floor.
5. Carefully remove the toilet.
6. Remove the old wax ring from the closet flange.
7. If the existing flange doesn’t have space to accommodate the new bolts, use a flange repair kit.
8. Use the wax ring to make a connection between the closet flange and the flange repair kit.
9. Secure the flange repair kit to the floor using a hand screwdriver.
10. Add a longer flexible supply hose to the shut off valve.
11. Bring the toilet in and ensure both bolts on the flange repair kit go through the bolt holes on the toilet.
12. Attach the toilet to the flange using a washer base, closet bolt, and bolt cap. The closet bolt may need to be cut off if too high.

Resources:
The American Standard Cadet Pro Compact Right Height Elongated Toilet 14" Rough-In can be found at the local plumbing supply store.

The additional flange adaptors, wax ring, and masonry screws can be found at the local home center.

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How to Rotate a Toilet | Ask This Old House

[rogerdevero]

Richard is a good teacher, telling each thing he's doing. Kudos; a well-made video John 14:6

[davidjenkinson]

The pros make it look easy. Very informative video.

[jono]

Those look like Douglas adjustable those!!! Used to work at a plumbing wholesaler and we sold them too!!

[tony]

is it me or is that new toilet too close to the wall now lol.

[martinladjimi]

I feel like they really could have cleaned the tile a bit more before installing the toilet, and maybe even cleaned the flange a tad.

[steves]

Great camera work not showing the ugly water line coming out the side wall!

[catsmeow]

My concern with this is how little elbow room you have on the side. It was small before on the other side but it is not much better, IMO. A corner toilet would come in handy in this situation. Set it diagonal and it is easier to reach tp holder and you get a little more leg room. You can turn a standard toilet at an angle but you get gap behind in the corner. I am concerned with how high the new flange is and how small the cone going in to the toilet is. That will restrict flow and I worry the toilet won't sit flush to the floor.

[MrWolfe-bxsh]

Did it meet code for clearance side to side?

[GoodtimesDJsoundtech]

As a kid growing up in the 80's I always admired This Old House. Now being a licensed 20 year professional some of these video make me cringe because uneducated public doesn't know any better. Its common knowledge in the industry that 15" is the MINIMUM from center of a toilet to any fixture or wall on either side. The reason this toilet is not resting on the floor @6:15 is because the closet flange is too high. Finally, it IS CODE to caulk the toilet to the making videos like this this please because it will only give Professionals more work fixing these disasters.

[sdw]

I wonder where that house is located that doesn’t have plumbing codes. I have never seen anywhere in the U.S. that would allow the toilet to pass a plumbing inspection (in either installed positions). You would think a reputable magazine would inform its readers to always follow the plumbing codes.

[johnwolfe]

I noticed that you had to install shims at the back of the toilet base which you did not mention on the video.  Apparently there are no code requirements where this was done that specified minimum space to the sidewalls.  It looks rather tight.

[Fabact]

Where can I get that blue flange? Is the blue metal? Painted blue? You do not need more wax between the toilet and the flange?

[NorthernChev]

For comfort while sitting on a toilet you want a minimum of 15 from the wall to center (right and left). This toilet now has only 12 inches on the left while sitting down. So, you're going to lean one way while sitting. Yeah, I know it's better than it was but, you've just traded one uncomfortable dimension for another.

[walterulasinksi]

With this kind of rotation, instead of the center of a persons’s body being 14 “ from the right hand wall, they are now 12” from the left wall.. that will be very uncomfortable unless the old partition wall is removed. Even the previous 14 “ was too close for proper comfort.

[jirojosephesman]

I great video ...I have the same old toilet how can you help me change it to a modern toilet... thanks

[RespectThoseWhoPaidTheWay]

Omg, the comments. I just had surgery in my bellybutton yesterday. The doctor gave food restrictions, no sex, no heavy lifting and rest for 72 hrs. But what the doctor failed to mention is don’t go on you and especially don’t read the comments. Because I just can’t stop laughing. It hurst so much!

[AZCobraman]

I just replaced a toilet that looked like the old one here, it was also blue. Was nearly impossible to find replacement parts like the flapper.

I do like the lower ones tho....makes pooping easier!

[RangerCaptainA]

when i saw this title about rotating your toilet, i imagined i had to swap the toilet in the front bathroom with the one in the back, like you rotate your tires.

[fakeascanbe]

What if I want to rotate it on the x axis.

[michaelcastillo]

Yeah that toilet not being centered and the supply being off to the side is bugging the hell out of me.