How to fix an off-center toilet drain during a remodel
An off-center toilet drain caused by miscalculated measurements can be corrected using an in-pipe cutoff saw and an offset flange. This allows you to adjust the pipe position without tearing up the subfloor or failing plumbing layout constraints.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Using an in-pipe cutoff saw and an offset flange secured with vinyl concrete patch
- 2Consulting a plumber to evaluate alternative installation options
- 3Buying multiple different sizes of trap adapters to see which one fits
- 4Using voice-to-text to communicate details and measurements
- 5Using a proper slip joint extension and a new p-trap
- 6Cutting out flexible pipes and using rigid plastic
- 7Using longer hard pipes
- 8Adding an extension or a 22-degree/45-degree fitting
- 9Using tubular 90-degree elbows to align the trap
- 10Using flexible drain kits like a Snappy trap
- 11Waiting for a professional plumber to become available
- 12Asking online plumbing forums for advice on how to fit the pieces together
- 13Using silicone instead of putty to help lift the drain to meet the bottom of the shower pan
- 14Proceeding with the installation and waiting to see if it leaks
- 15pushing the pipe to center when setting the drain
- 16cutting the shower pan to the appropriate size
- 17using a street fitting and regular offsets to correct the riser
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“when i did my bathroom i had the same situation, the flex always get gunked up and start smelling after a while”source ↗
“Does the P trap have to be attached to the down drain of my sink?”source ↗
“I am trying to avoid those flexible drains while maximizing the space underneath my new sink.”source ↗
“I got a new sink and can’t wrap my head around making a p trap work here.”source ↗
“We’re in the middle of a remodel and had to move a toilet. Unfortunately measurements were off and the toilet is about 1.75” off center.”source ↗
“I needed to move an existing toilet about 1 1/2". I used an in-pipe cutoff saw to cut out the existing flange above 2" below the finished floor and then installed a Sioux Chief pushtite offset flange.”source ↗
“I'm not sure if I should be pulling one of the two pieces already in the wall out and replacing them or just screw that chrome on there and put the p-trap inside or what.”source ↗
“Part of the thing is I'm not sure if I'm supposed to keep everything on there the way it is or if something's come out supposed to come off and get replaced or....”source ↗
“New vanity going in, but I have limited options with moving the piping.”source ↗
“I'm installing an acrylic shower and I've set the drain a little bit low.”source ↗
“When I complete the assembly, I can't tell if the gasket is probably compressed or not, but I'm guessing it's not.”source ↗
“Are there spacer rings or thicker gaskets that can be used here to fill the space a bit more so I can be sure?”source ↗
“Adjusting the height of the drain would be a terrible task at this point.”source ↗
“After cutting the hole, the pipe is heavily towards one side. I can push it about 1.25 inches to center when setting the drain, but I’m unsure if this is okay.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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