Toilets are an essential part of daily life. And yet, despite our need for these appliances, sometimes they break down.
Toilets are often the primary culprit for water waste and leaks in your home. Sometimes toilet damage can go unnoticed for weeks or months, causing you to waste significant amounts of money.
Sometimes, repairs won’t be enough. Instead, you’ll need to replace this appliance.
The lifespan of different toilet types varies, but most usually have a 50-year limit. Once that milestone approaches, it’s best to find a new toilet.
The trouble is, toilets take up significant room. Homeowners must know how to measure for a new toilet before purchasing a new one.
Fortunately, we can help! Read on to learn how to measure for a new toilet in our guide below.
Measure Your Tank Height
The first thing to measure is your toilet tank’s height. Many bathrooms have shelves or cabinets that hang over the toilet.
If so, you’ll want to ensure your new toilet fits under these objects.
Measure your toilet tank’s height from the floor to the top of the tank. Place the end of your tape measure on the floor.
Then, make sure you mark the measurement at the top edge of your tank lid. This way, you have an accurate record of this dimension.
Measure the Depth of Your New Toilet
Toilet bowls and seats usually have an oval shape. This oval shape provides increased comfort. Alternatively, they have a more circular shape that takes up less room.
You’ll need to know the toilet bowl’s dimensions before installing a new toilet. So, determine your current toilet’s depth by measuring the front edge of the bowl to the back of the tank.
Then, decide what depth you want your new toilet to have. If you’re comfortable with your current commode, you can purchase a new model with similar depth. Or, you can choose to keep more space by getting a more shallow toilet.
Find the Rough-In Measurement
This measurement refers to the space between the wall behind your toilet and the center of the waste pipe. This metric can be a little trickier to measure.
Measure from the wall behind your toilet to the middle of the bolt caps first. These caps are the things that hold your commode to the floor.
Let’s say you have four-bolt caps for your toilet. If so, measure to the back set of bolt caps.
It’s helpful to identify where these caps are when learning how to remove a toilet. Since these caps hold it to the ground, you’ll eventually have to remove them to make room for your new toilet installation.
Find a Professional to Remove Install Your Toilet
Once you have these measurements, you can determine what dimensions your new toilet will need. This way, you can ensure you have an appliance that fits its allotted space.
However, installing a toilet is much more challenging than measuring one. Some DIY enthusiasts may relish this task.
But, we recommend finding a professional to perform your toilet installation. So, search the web to find the contractor you need!
We hope you enjoyed this article! Your home appliances play a critical role in your life. So, check out our other articles to learn more about repairing these items.
