Fitting a toilet is not a piece of cake, but with a required skills, you may save a ton of cash by installing it yourself. Maybe your house has a 10-inch rough-in, and you are seeking to answer the question: can you replace a 10-inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch rough-in toilet?

Generally, the plumbing in your bathroom and the rough-in in the toilet should match. Although the restroom suits a 10-inch rough-in, you can install in a 12-inch rough-in area using an offset toilet flange to add the 2 inch space for it to fit. The toilet will then fit in perfectly without need for a massive construction job to move the toilet hole by 2 inches.

This post sheds more light on the subject and answers some frequently asked questions.

The Details Of A 12-Inch Rough-in Toilet

The rough-in distance refers to the space between the toilet’s rear wall and the middle of the drain hole below. The name 12-inch rough-in refers to the 12-inch space between the opening center of the floor flange and the wall.

The gap is necessary because it determines how much space the toilet requires to fit comfortably between the tank and the wall.

Today, this is the standard measurement, meaning you have options. Sterling Windham 403080-0, Kohler Persuade K-3654-47, and Toto Drake CST744SL are some of the best selections.

It’s also worth mentioning that a 12-inch rough-in toilet will not fit onto a 10-inch rough-in area without using an offset toilet flange, while a 10-inch rough-in will have additional room in a 12-inch rough-in slot.

What To Expect When Replacing 10-inch Rough-in With 12-inch Rough-in

If you install a 10-inch rough-in onto a 12-inch rough-in spot, you will notice a space of about 2 inches between the wall and the tank. It will not affect how the toilet functions.

Nevertheless, the extra inches will move the tank farther from the shutdown valve on the wall, prompting the installation of an extended connection. If you mount a tissue paper holder on the wall behind the lavatory, it will compel users to stretch further back to rip off the paper.

How To Replace 10 Inch Rough-in With 12 Inch Rough-in

While 10-inch rough-in is outmoded, its ability to be converted to 12-inch rough-in is one of its advantages. The upgrade is done by connecting the toilet flush outlet to the main drainpipe using an offset flange.

A toilet flange is an adapter that enables the shift of the rough-in while preventing harm. It’s also adaptable to changes in direction.

During setup, place the toilet flange 1/4 inches off the floor to allow space for pressing the wax ring, and ensure your toilet seal is tight.

Can You Use A 12-inch Rough-in Toilet?

A 12-inch rough-in is the typical toilet measurement you will find in restrooms. The size gives you the desirable options for the design of the bowl and the toilet you buy.

The drain is usually set far enough from the wall to accommodate the lavatory and its water tank. The tank extends 12 inches from the middle of the toilet to the backside- and facilitates the replacement of old and broken toilets.

Although this is the most common measurement, don’t forget to measure (at least times) before purchasing a toilet.

Can You Move A Toilet Over A Few Inches?

You can move your toilet over a few inches without making another hole in the bathroom floor. You can employ an offset flange to shift your toilet by a few inches on any side.

Moving your toilet by a few inches without denting the floor with another hole saves you a lot of bucks since you’ll be using the same sewer line.

How To Install An Offset Flange

As you have seen, fitting a toilet offset flange gives you the green light to replace a 10-inch rough-in toilet with a 12-inch one. The easy-to-follow procedure guides you on how to set up an offset toilet flange:

Measure the width of the drain opener, which can range from 3 to 4 inches.
Buy an offset flange that is the same size as the rough-in. Get proper bolts and a wax ring to create a secure seal.

Disconnect all water supply pipes to the toilet.
Empty the tank and sponge away any remaining water before. Do this before lifting the tank cover.
Remove the old toilet and place it gently on a rag or an old towel.

Remove the old wax ring and clean up the areas encircling the base.
Replace the flange with the new one and use a wax ring and bolts to secure the toilet.
Reconnect the waterline to start the process.

Once the tank is full, flush to see if there is any leakage.

Why Replace A 10-Inch Rough-in With A 12-inch Rough-in?

While 10-inch rough-ins are space savers and ideal for small bathrooms, they have considerable drawbacks that can make you think about converting them to 12-inch rough-ins. Some demerits include:

Offering limited options
10-inch rough-ins are prone to clogging
They are expensive

10-inch rough-in toilets increase dampness because the water closet is attached to the wall.

Advantages Of 12-inch Rough-in

Here are some benefits that come with replacing your 10-inch rough-in with a 12-inch one:

They are less vulnerable to clogging
You have several toilet alternatives to pick from
12-ich rough-in toilets can accommodate everyone

They are ideal for both small and spacious labs
You won’t worry about clogging problems
12-inch rough-ins have a robust flushing power

Disadvantages Of 12-inch Rough-in

You cannot change them into 10-inch rough-ins.

FAQ on Can You Replace A 10-inch Rough-in Toilet With A 12-inch Rough-in Toilet

1. What Does 12-inch Rough-in Mean?

A toilet rough-in is the gap between the waste outlet or toilet’s floor drain and the finished wall. The standard rough-in size for toilets is 12 inches.

However, older homes may have different sizes, such as 10inches or 14 inches.

2. What Is The Difference Between 10-inch And 12-inch Rough-in?

The regular rough-in size is 12 inches, whereas you’ll only see 10 inches in the old model residence.

10-inch rough-ins have limited alternatives, while a 12-inch rough-in gives you extra options, such as one-piece, two-piece, round, elongated, chair, and standard height.

The 12-inch options promise water-efficient functionality.

3. Can A Toilet Be More Than 12 Inches From The Wall?

Toilet rough specifications are usually 12 inches. However, they can vary from 10 to 14 inches on some occasions.

4. Can I Change My Toilet Rough-in?

You can swap a 14-inch rough-in toilet with its 12-inch rough-in counterpart. The downside of this procedure is that it leaves a 2-inch space between the wall and the toilet tank.

You’ll need to set an offset toilet flange since it is the approach to installing lavatories with unconventional rough-ins.

5. Do I Need A 10 Or 12-inch Toilet?

If your old toilet is still in place, take a measurement from the middle of the capped bolts to the wall. Ensure there are 15 inches on every side and 24 inches gap from the wall facing the bowl.

If your measurements fall between 11.5 to 12.5 inches, it implies your toilet is a rough-in.

Conclusion

If you have a cramped bathroom, a 10-inch rough-in toilet will suffice. If it cannot function effectively, you may replace it with a 12-inch rough-in.

The market offers you variations for 12-inch rough-in toilets that are not available for 10-inch rough-ins. Hopefully, this post has dissolved every doubt you had on whether you can transition from a 10-inch rough-in to a 12-inch one.