The toilet is one of the household’s most used accessories and must be comfortable. But, can you imagine having a squeezed toilet that you struggle with when handling your business? It’s annoying. Proper toilet placement is thus of paramount importance in the home.
The standard toilet placement requirements are 15 inches to the side walls, 12 inches to the back wall, and 21 inches to the front wall. This distance is measured from the middle of the toilet bowl. Accommodate the disabled by ensuring the toilet stall is at least 30×48 inches large as per the ADA.
A good bathroom design is paramount in ensuring the users’ comfort and adhering to the rules and regulations. Properly measuring and placing the toilet goes a long way in utilizing the available space. Here is all that you need to consider in toilet placement.
Toilet Placement in a Bathroom
Toilet placement in a bathroom is the first thing you should deal with before any other fixtures. It’s the focal point as it influences all other aspects of the bathroom. For instance, where you place the toilet determines the positioning and size of the vanity, the sink, the tissue holder and many others.
Placing the toilet determines the space you have left and how many other fixtures you can accommodate in your bathroom. One of the key aspects influencing toilet placement is the different measurements.
Toilet Measurements from Wall
You decide to check on the progress of the work on your toilet, and boom! It was placed just next to the wall. Oh boy, where do you even begin? To avoid such shocks, consider the following:
1. Standard toilet placement
The standard toilet placement requires that from the toilet centreline to the wall there should be 15 inches to the sidewalls.
So, let’s say the plumber gets to identify the toilet placement point before the wall is set up. A finished wall is ½ to 1-inch thick. That means the plumber should set the toilet at 15½” from where your wall will be coming up.
From the back wall, your toilet-to-wall distance should be 12 inches, meaning 12½” from the centreline of the toilet.
Regarding the front wall to toilet distance, it should be longer than all other walls. Ideally, it should run 21 inches before you can install any fixtures or walls. The long distance ensures that even the tall among us have it easy when using the toilet.
You can play around with the space available, especially if it’s limited by having a smaller toilet bowl.
If you choose to have a separate stall for the toilet, ensure it measures not less than 60 inches deep and 30 inches wide.
2. ADA placement
When placing the toilets, take into consideration the ADA requirements. To ensure you comply, ensure that:
- You provide enough space for a single wheelchair measuring a minimum of 30 x 48 inches.
- Any fixtures within the radius shouldn’t interfere with the free movement of the legs while in the wheelchair.
- The toilets shouldn’t be raised beyond 34 inches.
- Allow a 17-inch distance from the back wall to the toilet.
- If you are to install toilet stalls, the minimum width should be 60 inches to aid in the free movement of the wheelchair.
- Provide grabs on the nearest wall or compartment.
- Ensure the toilet seat doesn’t extend beyond 19 inches from the floor.
- As for hand dryers, ensure that the buttons do not go beyond 48 inches from the floor, nor do they stick out more than 4 inches from the wall.
With all these in place, you can be sure you have complied with the ADA placement requirements.
The goal in implementing these requirements is to ensure the ADA fraternity access the toilets with comfort like everybody else.
3. Recommended placement
While the building codes provide the minimum acceptable limits for basic mobility and comfort, you can always wiggle it with enough space in the toilet.
For instance, you can allow 18.5 inches for the distance between the toilet centerline to the side walls. You could also allow up to 40 inches of room between the toilet and any fixture compared to the standard 30 inches.
The motivation behind adding the extra space is to ensure optimal available space utilization while allowing the bathroom users maximum comfort.
4. Special considerations
There are different types of toilets. Some require advanced modifications for them to function. For instance, some toilets require clips to hold them in place. Ensure that any modifications do not interfere with your bathroom’s spacing, lighting, and heating.
Consider also the finishing you intend to have on your bathroom. For example, say you intend to have delicate tiles and coloring on your bathroom wall. In that case, the toilet placement will come last after everything else.
Additionally, placing the shower next to the toilet ensures that the shower door can freely move in both directions. The easy movement is meant to aid free water flow in the bathroom.
Minimum Space for Toilet
The building codes stipulate the standard dimensions you should adhere to while setting out your toilet. To ensure you abide by the set-out requirements as pertains to minimum space for a toilet, implement the following:
- Ensure that the distance from the side walls to the centerline of the toilet is not less than 15 inches.
- Between the back wall and the center of the flange, allow not less than 12 inches.
- Allow 21 inches of distance between the front wall and the toilet.
Once you implement these codes as the bare minimum while placing the toilet, be sure no one will press any charges regarding your toilet placement.
Toilet Rough-in Dimensions
Some mishaps, such as a wrongly placed toilet, are better avoided at all costs. Why? They can be costly to rectify when discovered late, and they are embarrassing. As you plan on your toilet placement, take into consideration these rough-in dimensions:
| Type of space | Distance (inches) |
| Toilet flange to back wall | 12 |
| Toilet front to fixtures | 21 |
| Cold water line placement | 6-7 above floor 5-6 left of flange |
| Center of toilet to side walls | 15 |
1. The spacing between the toilet flange and the back wall
The most common rough-in for standard toilets is 12 inches. Allow a 12-inch distance between the flange and a finished back wall.
If the back wall is not done, add a ½ inch to allow for the drywall when setting out the toilet.
Follow the same principle when working with toilets with different rough-in sizes, such as 10 or 14 inches.
2. The gap between the front of the toilet and any fixture
When shut, the front space between the toilet and the door or any fixture within your bathroom is critical. For example, imagine a tall person who has a problem closing the door while inside the toilet due to limited space. It’s sad.
To avoid such sceneries, allow a 21-inch distance between the front part of the toilet and the next fixture, including a shut door.
And, if your area is under plumbing codes, you’ll have to do a 24-inch clearance.
3. Cold water line placement
Most plumbers feel safe doing a 6- or 7-inch height above the floor and 5-6 inches left of the flange.
The waterline within these measurements allows for smooth finishing and minimal installation work.
4. Distance between the center of the toilet to the sidewalls
You don’t want the toilet users leaning on the sidewalls or taking naps when using the toilet. Allow for ample clearance of not less than 15 inches on either side. If your bathroom is spacious enough, you can allow as much clearance as possible.
Take note that the 15-inch distance is for a finished wall. Remember to add the thickness if the toilet is placed before the wall is done. For instance, if the wall is 1 inch thick, the distance between the toilet and any fixture on the side of the sidewalls will be 16 inches (15+1).
Toilet Placement for a Small Bathroom
A small bathroom should never be an excuse to have a poorly placed toilet. Evaluate and consider the following if you have a small bathroom:
1. Space
Small is relative. How much space in inches are you working with, bearing in mind the building codes that govern toilet placement, especially if you live in a place covered under international plumbing codes?
Ideally, your small bathroom should be positioned to allow a clearance of 12 inches from the back wall, 15 from the sidewalls, and 15 inches between the front to any other fixture.
2. Fixtures
With a small bathroom, consider having just the basic fixtures. For example, you can have tissue holders, grab bars, and a sink.
The bare minimum fixtures allow you to play around with the toilet bowl size to pursue better clearance and more comfort. Additionally, the bathroom won’t appear congested.
3. Toilet rough-in
The commonly used toilet has a 12-inch rough-in. Ideally, this is the standard toilet. However, if you got a 10-inch rough-in existing, you can adjust the placement of the waste pipe to allow more space.
4. Free door movement
Even with a small bathroom, ensure that you can freely open and close the door. The bathroom door size also determines the size of the other fixtures in the bathroom.
Conclusion
A toilet is one of the key areas in any home. An adult spends more than one hour weekly in the toilet, so it needs to be done right. It should be spacious enough to allow free movement and comfort for the users.
As plumbers work on your toilet placement, ensure they follow all the laid out builders’ codes, especially if you follow under a jurisdiction governed by IPC.
If your bathroom space is small, work around the bowl size and the rough-in to create more space and clearance.