JohnN
New Member
I've searched and searched so I have a feeling I know what the answer would be, but I'm at the end of my rope and could use the verification.
I'm nearing the end of what seems to be an endless renovation, and finally getting around to having my plumbing fixtures installed. I used a general contractor, who brought his own guys, and I've never been particularly fond of the plumber (had a hard time showing up, and showing up on time, and coming with actual tools).
Today, I'm particularly annoyed as he's announced that the bathroom wall was 'changed' and the rough in is insufficient for the Toto Ultramax toilet we had purchased for upstairs. He claims when he installed the pipe it was 12", a quick measurement shows it's closer to 10.5.
Now, I saw these guys every step of the way - and I don't recall them doing anything special to the wall in question (it's a brick wall that got thinset and ceramic tiles), and I know for sure they didn't build outwards. I think he's just covering his rear, but that's a pointless debate now anyway.
He recommended going with an offset flange. After a few searches, it seems to be universally considered as a bad idea. The pipe seems to be a tight fit there to begin with, with what amounts to little more than a 6x6 hole exposing a 3" drain (PVC) which currently rises about 6 inches up out of the floor. I assume he'd have to break tile in order to get the offset flange in there in the first place, and even then I don't know if it would work properly.
From what I can tell - my choices are either to allow him to install one of these (and I've seen the one recommended most often is a Sioux Chief 889-POM), or to see if I can find another toilet with a 10" rough in. I'd have to eat the current toilet purchase - the contractor has since disposed of all the packing materials, so it's not like I can return it (not to mention he ordered way too early and it's been sitting nearly 2 months).
Seeing as the apartment has cost me a small fortune already, I'd don't want to try and save $300-400 now and end up with non-functional plumbing.
So, long winded angry post winding down - does it make sense to even try the offset flange, or just toss the old Toto in the garage and go with a new Toto (assuming the Drake from what I've read) with a 10" rough in, which should fit the pipe (with 10.5" clearance to the wall) just fine?
I'm nearing the end of what seems to be an endless renovation, and finally getting around to having my plumbing fixtures installed. I used a general contractor, who brought his own guys, and I've never been particularly fond of the plumber (had a hard time showing up, and showing up on time, and coming with actual tools).
Today, I'm particularly annoyed as he's announced that the bathroom wall was 'changed' and the rough in is insufficient for the Toto Ultramax toilet we had purchased for upstairs. He claims when he installed the pipe it was 12", a quick measurement shows it's closer to 10.5.
Now, I saw these guys every step of the way - and I don't recall them doing anything special to the wall in question (it's a brick wall that got thinset and ceramic tiles), and I know for sure they didn't build outwards. I think he's just covering his rear, but that's a pointless debate now anyway.
He recommended going with an offset flange. After a few searches, it seems to be universally considered as a bad idea. The pipe seems to be a tight fit there to begin with, with what amounts to little more than a 6x6 hole exposing a 3" drain (PVC) which currently rises about 6 inches up out of the floor. I assume he'd have to break tile in order to get the offset flange in there in the first place, and even then I don't know if it would work properly.
From what I can tell - my choices are either to allow him to install one of these (and I've seen the one recommended most often is a Sioux Chief 889-POM), or to see if I can find another toilet with a 10" rough in. I'd have to eat the current toilet purchase - the contractor has since disposed of all the packing materials, so it's not like I can return it (not to mention he ordered way too early and it's been sitting nearly 2 months).
Seeing as the apartment has cost me a small fortune already, I'd don't want to try and save $300-400 now and end up with non-functional plumbing.
So, long winded angry post winding down - does it make sense to even try the offset flange, or just toss the old Toto in the garage and go with a new Toto (assuming the Drake from what I've read) with a 10" rough in, which should fit the pipe (with 10.5" clearance to the wall) just fine?