Offset Toilet Flange: What it is, Dimensions, Installation & Problems
An offset toilet flange is the component that allows you to move your toilet some extra inches on either side without having to make a new toilet hole on the floor or reconstruct the waste water pipe.
Read on to learn more about what exactly an offset toilet flange is, how it looks like, how to install it and common problems associated with it.
What is an Offset Toilet Flange?
An offset toilet flange is type flange where section fits down into the waste pipe is not positioned directly under the center of the opening at the top.The drain-pipe fitting section is just under the back section of the flange opening, rather than directly under the center of the top opening.
With this kind of set up, you can shift the location of the toilet by a couple of inches (left, right, forward or back).
Another definition of an offset toilet flange is that it is a type of flange that is used to install standard toilets on a drainpipe with a non-standard rough-in.
In older homes, where the drain may be too close to the wall, an offset flange allows for easier installation.
It helps you install a closet seat to an off-centered waste pipe, saving you the additional expenses of reworking your plumbing pipes or floor.
Like the standard flange, an offset has a flat surface with bolt-mounting slots onto which the toilet mounts, and it lies flat and flush with your floor.
The pipe and barrel retain their regular sizes which are having a 3-inch diameter at the bottom, a 4-inch diameter at the top, but the plumber bends the barrel at a 45-degree angle.
This difference in diameters is to ensure that the bottom joins with the drain pipe at any sized toilet basin. Without altering the pipes, this bend positions the toilet basin at the right distance from the wall.
The pipe barrel itself can be 1.45 inches (3.68 centimeters) in diameter at the pipe connection and 3.25 inches (8.26 cm) in diameter at the flange ring. Trim the waste pipe to suit the offset barrel and level the flange ring.
You can set the basin within the normal rough-in measures of 10 to 14 inches (ca. 36 centimeters) once it’s installed. A diagonal set opening found on offset toilet flanges that allow round basins to be replaced with extended basins.
The extra space provided by this diagonal combination makes it easy to install the longer basin. Because the angled set is closer to the flange ring, it has no effect on the pipe length or diameter.
How to Install Offset Toilet Flange
To avoid any issues in the future, installing an offset require that you be more cautious than when installing regular flanges
In addition, choose your flange based on the size of your toilet drainpipe and purchase the necessary wax ring and mounting bolts to ensure the correct securing of the toilet to the bathroom floor.
The steps for installing an offset toilet flange are as follows:
- Using the shut-off valve, disconnect the water supply to your toilet, then flush the toilet to empty the tank and bowl.
- Carefully remove the toilet and place it in a secure location.
- Remove the old wax ring and discard it.
- Remove the old toilet flange while being careful not to harm the drain pipe.
- Install the offset toilet flange first, then the wax ring.
- To secure the flange to the floor, use mounting bolts.
- Place the toilet in place.
- Turn on the washroom’s shut-off valve and run a test to make sure it’s working properly.
Best Offset Toilet Flanges
Some of the top offset closet flanges include the following.
Sioux Chief Manufacturing 889-GPOM
Oatey 43500 Level-Fit Offset Toilet Flange, 3 X 4 in, Abs Plastic, 3-Inch or 4-Inch
IPS 86181 3-Inch x 4-Inch PVC Offset Closet Flange with Metal Ring
How far does an Offset Toilet Flange Move?
The toilet can be as far as 10 feet (ca. 3 meters) from the stack if the waste line is 4 inches (ca. 10 cm) in diameter. The stack can a new toilet installation if you keep these crucial measurements.
Are Offset Toilet Flanges against Code?
Offset flanges and decreasing flanges are both prohibited by the International Residential Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code. Contrary to this, they may be legal or illegal according to the codes of your state or country.
Although there is the prohibition of offset toilet flanges and reducing pipes, , they are still produced and are still used for maintenance.
In other words, they can be used for maintaining an existing system in its exact configuration. Any slight alterations made might be new work.
This means that if your household originally had an offset toilet flange and it gets damaged, you might have to replace it with the same kind of offset toilet flange it had in the beginning.
If you’re moving a fixture, even if it’s just a few inches, changing the diameter or length of any pipe, adding a fixture, or changing the original layout in any way, it is considered as new work and requires a permit and inspection.
All pipes and materials associated with the new work must meet all applicable code standards at the time of the change. It all depends on laws regulations of the state where you reside
The angle of fixing the majority of off-set shelves is at 45 degrees. At least, they are among the Sioux chiefs. Older, less expensive ones were occasionally flat, and those are no longer code authorized, or were never certified.
Offset Toilet Flange Problems
There are a couple of challenges associated with an offset toilet flange Therefore, you must beware and have an idea on how to tackle them.
These issues include;
Poor Designs: A poorly designed offset toilet flange might have a non-round aperture that can be difficult to seal with a conventional wax ring, whereas a good one might be essentially round on top and seal fine.
You might often need more than one wax ring to create a seal with a ‘poor’ one; cut the first one, then patch in some way from the second one to fit around the oval.
The major difficulty of an offset flange is the restriction of the drain, and they tend to plug up at the offset.
Leakages: This may happen if you do not fix the toilet well to the ground.
Clogging: when you do not tighten the flange well enough m, it may cause issues. The flange may not be connecting the pipe to the toilet seat. When you do not fasten the toilet pipe tightly to the flange, wastes may not go through.
However, you should keep in mind that clogging can be caused by a variety of factors, including flushing items that could cause a blockage in your toilet, sewage line damage, and obstruction in the plumbing vents.
Not easy to install: Installing an offset flange is more complicated than a standard one, especially if you do not have the necessary expertise to install one. It may be futile, time-consuming, and infuriating.
Mistakes when Installing Offset Toilet Flanges
When it comes to offset toilet flanges, there are a few common blunders to be aware of and avoid. The following are some:
Making the wrong Toilet Flange selection
The composition of Offset toilet flanges is a variety of materials, mostly PVC and cast iron, and come in a variety of quality levels.
If you buy a low-quality flange, you might almost certainly have problems, so invest in a high-quality product that might last you for many years.
An angular fitting provides a watertight seal in this superb offset flange. Furthermore, the upper portion appears to be rounded.
A poor offset flange, on the other hand, does not have a circular aperture and is shaped like a bowl. As a result, achieving a perfect seal with this flange is challenging because most are incompatible with normal wax rings.
Failure to Rotate your Toilet in Different Directions
If you have an offset toilet flange, you can move your toilet roughly 2 inches (ca. 5 centimeters) in any direction, allowing you to install your toilet seat while the drainpipe is close to the wall.
However, if you install the flange incorrectly, or you choose the wrong size, it might be impossible to position it as intended.
You can solve this problem by selecting the proper offset flange size and ensuring that it is compatible with your toilet. Furthermore, it must be installed appropriately.
Further Reading