Toilet Clearance Code (Are You Aware of It?)
Maybe you never even knew that there was such a thing as a toilet clearance code. Well, you would be surprised to know all that is included in this code when it comes to installing a toilet into a bathroom.
Toilet clearance codes are important because they have a lot to do with the functionality of the toilet and the bathroom as a whole.
Let’s look into this and see the different aspects that the code brings.
What is the Code for Space Around a Toilet?
If there isn’t enough space around a toilet, you might find it really hard to use. Although there is a clearance code for toilets, I feel that I’ve experienced a wrongly placed toilet a time or 2 in my life.
The correct measurements for a toilet is at least 21 inches in the front of the toilet, 15 inches on the sides, and at least 30 inches from anything else in the bathroom. This means the sink and the bathtub.
This might not be something you’ve ever considered, but now that you’ve had the chance to think about it, do you ever feel like you’ve ran into a toilet that was just way too close to other fixtures in the bathroom?
Other Toilet Code Requirements
Other than the space that should be provided around the entire area of the toilet, there are also some other requirements that you should be aware of when installing a toilet:
Minimum Flushing Efficiency
Your toilet should have a minimum flushing efficiency of 1.6 gallons per flush.
Drain Pipes
Your drain pipes should be at least 3-4 inches in diameter.
Vent Pipes
The vent pipe should be at least 6 inches away from the toilet trap. A toilet trap is similar to a p-trap that is part of the drain pipes of a sink. In fact, all plumbing fixtures need to have a trap. This helps with the clearing of clogs or other blockages if and when they happen.
Any type of trap on any fixture typically has 2-4 inches of standing water in it. This is to keep bad odors or sewer gasses from entering your home. They might not mean much to you, but they really are a blessing in disguise!
What You Should Do For a Clogged Toilet
Using an auger to clear a toilet clog is the next best thing to use if you cannot clear a clog with a plunger. The type of plunger you use also plays an important role. A plunger with a flange on it will give you much better results than any other type of plunger.
This video will teach you how to properly unclog a toilet using the right plunger.
International Residential Code
The international residential code is used by many U.S. states and even other countries. This is used for information on any toilet clearance code requirements. The good thing is that this updates every 3 years.
If the regulations ever change over time, you know that you can always count on the international residential code for up-to-date information on installing a toilet and all other aspects correctly.
Final Thoughts
A lot more goes into installing a toilet than you probably would’ve thought at first. Toilet clearance code is just a small aspect of what goes into installing a toilet properly. Making sure the drain pipes are also properly installed is an important aspect as well.
If you ever need the guidelines of the toilet clearance code or any other code for a toilet, you can refer to the international residential code for all of the answers.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
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