# Toilet rough-in ... 12" vs 14"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-rough-in-12-vs-14/761192>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 29, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-rough-in-12-vs-14/761192 "2016-07-29T14:32:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-rough-in-12-vs-14/761192/1 "2016-07-29T14:32:15Z")

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It’s time for a new toilet. I found instructions for measuring the rough-in size. The existing toilet measures 14" from wall to center of bolt but the tank sits a bit over two inches from the wall. Does that mean the toilet was for a 12" rough-in and a new one for 12" would fit just the same … and a 14" would sit closer to the wall?

I ask because toilets for 14" seem pretty rare and much more expensive. If a new 12" one would fit the same as the current one I would be fine with that and with saving a few hundred dollars.

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**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-rough-in-12-vs-14/761192/2 "2016-07-29T14:50:06Z")

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Saving a few hundred dollars is a good idea … and, yes, the 12" backset toilet is fine … gives you those 2" of air space to keep mold down as well.

Professional tip here: The flange bolts, the two on each side of the base, coat them in Vaseline before you cover them … that makes undoing then years from now easier.

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**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\
**Post date:** [July 29, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toilet-rough-in-12-vs-14/761192/3 "2016-07-29T15:03:34Z")

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Thanks. Off to Lowe’s I go for the sale on a nice new Kohler. Will mention the Vaseline thing to the handyman (which I am definitely not).