closet flange issues

Hi –

I recently purchased a new toilet (a complete toilet), brought it home and went to install it. The issue is when I went to install it, it appears there is not enough room to install it – the closet flange is too close to the wall. I am not familiar with solutions on this, but it looks like I need about 1.5 inches of space. The other issue is I just laid down cement board and travertine. I know, I know… Had I know about this before hand, I could have replaced the closet flange with an offset closet flange. And to be honest, I am thinking I have to rip part of the floor out and do that, but really sucks. I did try to change the flange a bit (extended the slots on the flange by a half inch or so and then use a large wax ring, but it did not work. In other word, it leaked.

Looking for ideas other than ripping up the floor. Things I have considered – notching out the wall, getting a new toilet, etc. Is there such a thing as an surface offset that could work?

Thanks for any ideas out there!

Please don'd dual post!

Basically, you need to determine where the flange is now - toilets are available in the US on three standard offsets: 10, 12, and 14" to the center of the drain from the finished wall. Most common are those at 12". There is usually a little wiggle room that varies from toilet to toilet that ensures there is a little gap behind the toilet, so if using say a 12" rough-in toilet, there might be 1/2" or so clearance behind it. It could be more or less, and obviously, if the flange wasn't exactly at 12", it would be different, too. Until you know where you flange is, you won't be able to find a toilet to fit.

Sounds like your old toilet might have been a 10" rough, and the new one a 12". If you've still got the old one handy, measure it and see what you find. Depending on where you bought the new toilet, they might exchange it for a new 10" rough model.