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Tricky plumbing problem…help!

mmoogie | Posted in Construction Techniques on May 14, 2008 12:07pm

I’ve got a bathroom drain-line problem with some work that my plumber roughed in and I can’t get him back to fix. I usually do my own plumbing, but don’t know how to fix this problem.

The toilet flange wound up having to move 1 1/8″ forward after a change in plans for finish wall surfaces. Now it misaligns by 1 1/8″ with the 90 degree bend that it is supposed to drop into. The hub-to-hub distance is only 5 1/2″ so I’ve got to find a way to offset 3″ PVC by 1 1/8″ in just 5 1/2″. The offset toilet flanges are too offset, and the 90 degree bend that it must mate to is not moveable without re-doing a whole lot of the rest of the drain work that shoots off on 45 degree angles. Is there some kind of flexible fitting that could work in a hub-to-hub situation? Could I heat a piece of PVC and deform it to the offset?

This is all in a crawl space with about 12″ of room. I thinks that’s why I can’t get the plumber back.

Steve

Reply

Replies

  1. Sungod | May 14, 2008 12:46am | #1

    Are you saying that the toilet is too close to the back wall?
    I have seen a homeowner cut a hole in the drywall and notched the stud so the tank is recessed into the wall. He finished it off so cleanly, that it was only noticeable when the tank lid was taken off.

    1. User avater
      mmoogie | May 14, 2008 02:57am | #4

      The flange is in place in the floor at a 12" RO. The toilet is on site. The wall is finished with custom wainscot. plus a piece of hot water baseboard has to sneak behind the toilet. So I'm locked in to the current flange and toilet placement. I can cut all the drainage apart and re-do it, which may be what I decide to do in the long run anyway because of other reasons, but if there is a quick fix that will let me hook it up now with minimal disruption, that will score me some points and save the HO some money.Steve

      1. User avater
        Sphere | May 14, 2008 03:27am | #5

        If you were a total hack, you could find some 4" dust collection type hose with smoothe wall inside, and some radiator hose clamps.

        Of find a truck air filter cowl duct..I mean BIG truck.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

         

  2. jej | May 14, 2008 02:25am | #2

    could you get a toilet flang with a 45 molded hub then use maybe a couple of 22 streets to do the off set

  3. rondon | May 14, 2008 02:34am | #3

    what about using a 10" RO.  That would give you 2 inches more than a 12"

  4. User avater
    Dinosaur | May 14, 2008 03:56am | #6

    Is there some kind of flexible fitting that could work in a hub-to-hub situation?

    Use Lead.

    That's the only legal material I know of which might be flexible enough to deviate 1-1/8" in 5½".

    Get a 10" long toilet lead with a 3" ABS collar bonded to it and glue that into the 90. Then gently and patiently bend the lead until it comes up where you need the flange to be. Use a flat brass flange ring instead of an ABS hubbed flange fitting. Cut off the excess lead pipe and fair the edges down over the flange ring as shown here: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=103509.11

    You might need to pre-bend the pipe before installing it if the subfloor's already down and working space is tight.

    Be careful not to flatten the pipe too much when you're bending it or that toilet won't flush worth a shït.

    Dinosaur

    How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
    low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
    foolish men call Justice....

    1. User avater
      mmoogie | May 14, 2008 05:10am | #7

      Thanks Dino. That looks like just the ticket. Hope my supply house carries them...Steve

    2. User avater
      mmoogie | May 14, 2008 05:16am | #8

      I'm gonna hijack my own thread...Anyone know of any software that will do a 3D layout of DWV lines? It's darn hard to sketch those oblique drawings of drain layouts.Steve

      1. User avater
        Dinosaur | May 15, 2008 01:31am | #9

        Autodesk's ACAD will do it...if you can drive the software at that level.

        I can't; but CapnMac can do it with his eyes shut.

        Dinosaur

        How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

  5. rnsykes | May 15, 2008 03:35am | #10

    one of these?

    View Image

    1. User avater
      mmoogie | May 15, 2008 04:59am | #11

      Too much offset. That's the problem. I see no stock solution with a 1" offset.Steve

      Edited 5/14/2008 9:59 pm by mmoogie

      1. User avater
        coonass | May 15, 2008 06:14am | #12

        Steve,Can you move the toilet over a little so the offset flange swivels to get your 1 1/8? Shouldn't have to move much.KK

      2. plumbbill | May 15, 2008 07:01am | #13

        View Image

         

         I see no stock solution with a 1" offset.

        Sure they do.

        http://www.plumbingsupply.com/toiletflanges.html

         

        Torque set 1" offset closet flange

         

        Heavy duty torque set offset cast iron closet flange with compression seal to waste line

        Ideal for new or retrofit installations

        Description

        Price & Quantity

        4" Compression

        $42.81

         

        You have 3"------ no problem

        Glue a 4x3 bushing over the nipple comming out of the 90.

        - Or -

        View Image

        “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein

        1. BoJangles | May 15, 2008 03:02pm | #14

          I continue to learn something every day!!  You did it again ;

        2. User avater
          mmoogie | May 15, 2008 03:34pm | #15

          Thanks Bill!Steve

        3. User avater
          mmoogie | May 16, 2008 03:56pm | #16

          Well, of course my local plumbing supply houses had neither of the workable options (the lead or the 1" offset) So I wound up cutting it all apart and re-routing anyway, which I had other valid reasons to do...Steve

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