I'm replacing the toilet in a second story bathroom in a 100-year old house. Toilet drain was the normal lead pipe closet bend mated to cast iron DWV stack. The problem is that the house was not designed for indoor plumbing, so the plumbers evidently had to make it up as they went about installing. The space between the floors is so small that there is very little clearance for the plumbing. In fact, the top edge of the cast iron hub on the toilet drain was protruding through the subfloor (through a very nice little hole they cut for it). The hub was cracked and has since been removed. The problem comes in trying to install some sort of closet bend in that small space. The original lead pipe had quite a sharp bend in order to get the flange to the right height, but the PVC I'm replacing it with is not so forgiving. A normal PVC closet bend would place the flange far too high, as would a long sweep 90 or even a 45 flange with a 45 bend. The only thing I can come up with that will fit is called a vent Ell. That arrangement would still put the flange 3/4" above the expected finished floor height, even with the flange sitting right down into the vent ell directly. The only other idea I can come up with would be to cut 3/4" off the vent ell hub and 3/4" off the flange spigot so that when you put them together the flange ends up sitting 3/4" closer to the floor. The problem is this would obviously limit the mating surface area. Does this sound like a crazy idea? I know the other option is to raise the floor, but I really want to avoid that if at all possible.

So, my questions are:

1. Can I use the vent ell instead of a more conventional bend fitting?

2. Can I trim 3/4" from the vent ell hub and the flange spigot to further drop the flange?

3. Anyone out there have a better idea for me? Please?

Hi Joshwill...

I've run into this exact problem a few times over the years.

Have you tried a vent ell and a STREET closet flange? That sounds like it may work if you didn't know about street fittings...

Otherwise, we either ripped out the cast iron stack and started over all PVC or we used the vent 90 in cases like this... ;)

I've even cut a street vent 90 down 3/4" and the mating closet flange 3/4" and all worked out just fine. The PVC was primed well and then cemented.

You could also try raising the floor a 1/2" with a cement board and then make up for the difference in floor height with a marble threshold at the doorway... maybe?

Back to you...

Mark

In addition to Mark's advice: They sell 4"x 3" 90 Closet Bend fitting in ABS and PVC. It has same bend as Vent 90 - but it is designed for toilets. See the photos...

If the 4" vertical part stick up too much, you can cut it off as needed to match the finished height of the floor. You can then install closet ring that glues inside this fitting or over the pipe.

Home Depot may carry Closet Bend 90s - but I think you will be better off going to more professional store to purchase this fitting...

The flange you referred to is a street closet flange, i.e. it fits into the hub of the vent elbow.

You'll either raise the floor 1/2" or so, cut the flange and the vent elbow as you suggested or you could try the fitting Milo recommended... ;)

Post an answer in the answer box at the bottom of the page below to reply.

Mark