Should You Use an Offset Toilet Flange?

Offset flanges are particularly useful when:

• The rough-in distance is incorrect. A standard toilet rough-in is 12 inches from the finished wall to the center of the flange. However, some toilets require either a 10-inch or 14-inch rough-in. If your current drain doesn’t match your toilet, an offset flange can correct that placement.
• The toilet sits too close to the wall or tub. If your toilet tank touches the wall or there’s not enough clearance around the bowl, using an offset flange can shift it forward or sideways by a couple of inches.
• There’s an obstruction in the way. Floor joists, vent lines, or other framing components can make it difficult to bring the drainpipe straight up. An offset flange helps route around those obstacles without cutting into floors or ceilings.
• In retrofit projects or remodels where moving drain pipes would require significant work, an offset flange offers a practical and time-saving solution.
• You’re remodeling on concrete. In cases where moving the drainpipe would mean breaking up concrete, an offset flange provides a simpler alternative for adjusting toilet placement. While you’ll still need to remove some concrete, using an offset flange significantly reduces the amount of demolition required.

Offset toilet flanges offer several key advantages:

1. Flexibility: They make it easier to handle nonstandard placements, which is especially useful for tricky or unconventional installations.
2. Cost-effectiveness: By reducing the need for extensive plumbing work, offset flanges save time and money.

Preservation of structural integrity: Offset flanges help maintain a building’s overall integrity by eliminating the need to alter structural elements, such as joists.

Installing an offset flange follows the same general process as a standard flange. But here are some tips for a leak-free installation:

• Plan the floor opening. Due to its angled design, an offset flange typically requires an oval or egg-shaped hole, rather than a perfectly round one.
• Dry-fit before cementing. Mark the hub and pipe with a permanent marker so everything aligns correctly once primer and cement are applied.
• Maintain the proper pipe slope. Drain lines should maintain a consistent slope, typically a quarter-inch per foot, to ensure effective waste flow and prevent buildup. Make sure the flange is level and securely fits at the required angle. Since the flange is angled to the pipe, it must be properly aligned with it.
• Install on top of the finished floor. The flange should sit on top of or flush with the finished floor and be securely fastened to the subfloor with new bolts.
• Align the toilet bolts before tightening. Because most flange rings rotate, adjust them so the bolts align with the toilet base before securing everything in place.

Offset flanges can also be installed in concrete floors. The process is the same, but may require extra care when cutting or chipping the opening. Dry-fitting first can help minimize rework.

See our Five Best Practices When Installing a Toilet Flange for more guidance.

Yes. Oatey offset closet flanges are UPC-certified and code-compliant when installed correctly. They maintain the same internal diameter as a standard flange, ensuring proper flow and drainage performance.

Important: A common misconception about offset toilet flanges is that they reduce the flow of waste due to the lateral shift in the drainpipe. However, this isn’t the case. The offset flange maintains the full pipe diameter and ensures that there’s no restriction to the flow, just like a standard flange.

Oatey offers offset closet flanges in durable materials and configurations to fit both new and retrofit applications:

• Oatey® PVC Offset Closet Flange with Stainless Steel Ring: Constructed of durable PVC with a corrosion-resistant stainless steel ring, this offset flange shifts the toilet position up to two inches while providing a strong, secure connection to the drain pipe.
• Oatey® ABS Offset Closet Flange with Stainless Steel Ring: Made of sturdy ABS plastic with a stainless steel ring, this flange allows for slight repositioning of the toilet without moving the existing waste pipe, ideal for remodels or rough-in corrections.
• Oatey® Level Fit Offset Closet Flange Metal Ring: This level-fit flange features a fixed offset design and a metal ring that ensures a flush, stable installation even on uneven floors or when correcting toilet alignment.
• Oatey® Level Fit 45° Swivel Closet Flange Plastic Ring: Designed with a 45-degree outlet and a swivel plastic ring, this flange offers flexible alignment and easy installation when vertical drain connections aren’t possible.
• Oatey® ABS Offset Closet Flange with Stainless Steel Ring: Engineered from durable ABS with a rust-resistant stainless steel ring, this flange provides up to two inches of offset to correct toilet placement or clearance issues.
• Oatey® PVC 45-Degree Closet Flange with Stainless Steel Ring: This PVC flange, featuring a stainless steel ring, has a 45-degree bend that connects to angled drain lines, making it ideal for tight or obstructed installations.

Each version provides a secure seal and comes in a 3-inch x 4-inch pipe size, allowing them to be cemented over a 3-inch pipe or inserted inside a 4-inch pipe for added flexibility.