How to: Toilet Drain Plumbing
Toilet drain plumbing is not complicated to install, but you must follow certain procedures to make the drain functions properly. For instance, the pipe must go in at a certain grade and, of course, it has to route to the home's main drain line, which is called the drain stack. As long as you have access to this stack and the right tools, you'll be able to complete this project in about a day. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Ruler
- Toilet flange
- Jigsaw
- Drainpipe, 3-inch PVC
- Pipe fittings (as necessary)
- T-fitting
- PVC cement
- Construction adhesive
Instructions
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1
Make a mark 12 inches from the wall where the toilet is going, using a tape measure and pencil. Make another mark 15 inches from the wall closest to the side of the toilet. Connect the two marks using a ruler to find the center of the drain hole.
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2
Set the toilet drainpipe, which is called the flange, on this mark. Draw around the outside of the flange with the pencil and cut along this line with a jigsaw to create the drain hole in the floor.
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3
Insert the toilet flange inside the hole and point the outlet end of the flange toward the home's main drain stack, which is usually somewhere in the center of the home. Measure the distance to this stack and buy enough 3-inch PVC pipe to accommodate this length.
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4
Connect the pipe to the flange and route it all the way to the stack. If necessary, use fittings and elbows to create bends on the pipe. The fewer fittings necessary, the better. Cut the pipe as needed with a hack saw.
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5
Measure the vertical distance from the bottom of the pipe to the floor to make sure the pipe drops 1/4 inch per foot of horizontal length. Cut into the drain stack with a hack saw where the toilet pipe intersects the stack.
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Insert a T-fitting in the drain stack and connect the toilet drainpipe to this fitting. Check the pipe again to ensure it slopes 1/4-inch per foot, using the tape measure. Remove the pipes and fittings and reassemble them but this time coat the pipes and fittings with adhesive PVC cement to create a permanent bond. Seal the toilet flange to the floor with construction adhesive.
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