Most people don’t think too much about where the toilet is placed in their bathroom until it’s time to remodel or add another one to their home. However, where you place the toilet makes a big difference in how well you’re able to use the space. Whether you’re reconfiguring your home’s current bathroom or planning a room addition, the professionals from Forever Builders, San Diego’s top experts in kitchen and bath remodeling, suggest some guidelines you’ll want to pay attention to when you plan the layout with your contractor
Consider the Front Clearance
Many cities and states require toilets to be placed a set distance away from other fixtures and bathroom features. The standard requirement is for a toilet to have 21 inches of clearance in front of it. However, most people find this isn’t enough. To achieve greater freedom of movement, you’ll want to plan for at least 30 inches of clearance. If someone with mobility challenges will be using the bathroom, you’ll want to expand this to 48 inches or even more.
Measure to the Side Walls or Fixtures
You’ll also want to think about the distance from the toilet to the walls or fixtures located on each side. A standard toilet needs about 30 inches of total space to fit into, and the typical code requirement for side clearance is 15 inches from the center line. The center line of a toilet can be determined by imagining the toilet as being split in half. Keep in mind that adding some extra room here is often better, and most people prefer to have at least 18 inches of space on each side of the toilet.
Check the Ideal Place for the Rough-In
Once the waste pipe is placed, you’ll have a permanent place for the toilet to sit. Although this pipe can be moved, most people prefer to avoid doing so. The standard location for the waste pipe is 12 inches away from the back of the finished wall. However, the waste pipe might be placed 10 inches from the wall in a smaller bathroom. While it might not seem like much, the extra 2 inches could be what you need to create enough clearance at the front of the toilet. This is something your contractor can help you plan so you don’t run into any problems with the rough-in placement down the road.
Pay Attention to the Door Swing
If you’ve ever used a tiny public bathroom stall, you know how frustrating it can be to try to use a toilet that’s too close to the door. You also want to avoid the possibility that someone might accidentally be hit by the door when using your toilet. If your only choice is to install the toilet near a door, you might want to consider choosing a door that swings out into the hallway. Pocket-style doors are another way to address this issue, which is common with smaller bathrooms.
The professionals from Forever Builders, the experts in bathroom remodeling San Diego homeowners have trusted for more than 20 years, will guide you through every step of your project. San Diego homeowners trust us to provide the most affordable bathroom remodeling services and help them turn their dreams into reality. We’ll help you create the bathroom you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our outstanding bathroom remodeling services, give one of our friendly team members a call today at (833) 243-5624.