We have bought an older early 80's house to fix up and re-sell. The
toilet in the master bath appears to be new; a low slung model. Problem
is, it sits about 6-7 inches out from the wall and looks rediculous. Is
it because older toilets were built differently? Is it possible to find
older toilets or should we re-plumb with all that entails. Money is
important.

In article . com, "Bonnie" wrote:
We have bought an older early 80's house to fix up and re-sell. The
toilet in the master bath appears to be new; a low slung model. Problem
is, it sits about 6-7 inches out from the wall and looks rediculous. Is
it because older toilets were built differently? Is it possible to find
older toilets or should we re-plumb with all that entails. Money is
important.

Toilets are made with different backsets (the distance between the drain
fitting and the back of the unit) - but you'll probably need to talk to a
plumbing supply house, not the teenage kid in the plumbing department at Home
Depot, to get what you need.

Another option would be to build a false wall behind it, up to a height maybe
six inches above the top of the tank. That would make a nice shelf for parking
decorative knick-knacks, reading material, etc.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?

Bonnie wrote:
We have bought an older early 80's house to fix up and re-sell. The
toilet in the master bath appears to be new; a low slung model. Problem
is, it sits about 6-7 inches out from the wall and looks rediculous. Is
it because older toilets were built differently? Is it possible to find
older toilets or should we re-plumb with all that entails. Money is
important.


The "standard" rough-in distance from the wall to
the center line of the flange (2 bolts into floor)
is 12". Long, long ago (like 1930), there were
other rough-ins used, but in 1980 it was 12".

Measure the distance from bolts to wall and see
if a 12" will work. They are the common-as-dirt
toilets at BigBox and inexpensive.

ANY OTHER rough-in toilet will be special AND
expensive.

PLAN B: Cut a wooden/formica/marble shelf to fit
behind the tank lid (NOT the tank itself). Mount
to wall on a wooden support strip or brackets.

Jim

"Bonnie" wrote:

We have bought an older early 80's house to fix up and re-sell. The
toilet in the master bath appears to be new; a low slung model. Problem
is, it sits about 6-7 inches out from the wall and looks rediculous. Is
it because older toilets were built differently? Is it possible to find
older toilets or should we re-plumb with all that entails. Money is
important.

Toilets come sized in several different offsets. It sounds like your new one
wasn't sized properly. Rather than rip it out, why not consider building a
shelf/closet behind it?

"Bonnie" wrote in message
ups.com...
We have bought an older early 80's house to fix up and re-sell. The
toilet in the master bath appears to be new; a low slung model. Problem
is, it sits about 6-7 inches out from the wall and looks rediculous. Is
it because older toilets were built differently? Is it possible to find
older toilets or should we re-plumb with all that entails. Money is
important.


I've seen flanges that are offset.
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/images...set_flanch.jpg