Flange fittings for replacing an older toilet

[ejmiami]

Hi,

I'm replacing my 50+ year old original toilet with a new EcoDrake model. There is no center bolt on this old toilet. Can anyone make some guesses about what issues I might face once the toilet is removed ? There is an old iron waste pipe (the house is up off the ground - pier and beam) below that was in good shape last time I had someone look.

I can hire a plumber if need be, however the handyman is going to do a lot of work on the house in the next month - so it seemed easier to have him include it on his list.

I've attached an image of the bottom of the present "Standard" toilet.

thanks,
Liz, Miami, Fl

[Terry]

It's the back set of bolts on the bowl.
That should be centered on the drain.
The Eco Drake will need 11-1/4" from the finished wall to fit.
If the drain is 4", you have some wiggle room.

Did they glue the bowl down?

[ejmiami]

Terry,

Yes, the bolt hole closest to the wall is exactly 11 1/4", so it should just fit. I have no idea if they glued the toilet down. Unfortunately, this is a one bathroom house.

I was wondering about the 11 1/4" measurement to the back bolt and knew I might need a different rough-in than the standard 12" - so hopefully the EcoDrake will fit. The plumbers I spoke to over the phone didn't want to come look for a fee - they just wanted me to hire them to do the job and none had any idea what I was talking about when I told them the 11 1/4" measurement to the back bolt.

I guess it is time to hire a plumber. There is just too much that could go wrong and I really rather not stay in a hotel for a week because replacement parts are "on order".

Thanks much for the reply.

Liz, Miami, Fl

[srdenny]

Liz
I bet the reason the bolt holes are 11-1/4" from the wall is that the plumber who roughed in the waste line didn't know that there was to be a tiled wall behind the WC.

[hj]

What do you mean the "plumbers didn't know what I was talking about"? If that is the case,;
1. They are not plumbers, and
2. You do not want them anywhere near your plumbing, and
3. You never want them working on a time and material basis.