pipe behind toilet

last year

In the process of a gut renovation. My contractor just left the pipe from the toilet sticking out as per below. Brought it up to him he said to use a sleeve. Someone else stated they should cut the pipe closer to the wall.

At this point I don’t want to break into the marble. Anyone has had experience with this ( cooper pipe sticking out)

Featured Answer

Jake The Wonderdog

last year

@ HU-279074282

The wax ring provides the seal between the toilet and the sewer pipe.

Caulk at the base prevents "stuff" from getting under the toilet - such as water from mopping, toilet overflow, bugs, etc.

Note to OP: Seal the marble and re-seal it regularly. Esp in that area. Also be careful of acidic bowl cleaners splashing on your walls.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

wdccruise
last year
I wouldn't cut the pipe. If the valve ever has to be replaced, it will be cut off, shortening the pipe. I'd just get some white or silver paint (this Sharpie will paint metal) and attach a white or silver Escutcheon to the pipe where it meets the wall.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Your plumber is a dork. Pipe should be cut so the copper doesn’t show. He didn’t even put on an escutcheon. He also didn’t caulk the toilet. Lazy plumber.
Related Professionals
Ocala General Contractors · Austin General Contractors · Carson City General Contractors · Everett General Contractors · Panama City Home Remodeling · Bartlesville Home Remodeling · Beckley Home Remodeling · Fort Wayne Home Remodeling · Brainerd Home Remodeling · Winona Home Remodeling · Lima Home Remodeling · Fresno Home Remodeling · Columbus Bathroom Remodelers · Santa Barbara Bathroom Remodelers · Honolulu Bathroom Remodelers
Alex Fernandez
Original Author
last year
Thanks is cutting the pipe something that can be done with our cutting into the wall. Meaning cut the pipe shorter and connecting the toilet valve closer to the wall.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
Yes. They turn off water, remove compression fitting. Install escutcheon, cut pipe, reinstall valve. Twenty minutes. It will take them longer to go to the street to turn the water on and off. Based on the tile you’ve spent $$$, make them finish this properly.
wdccruise
last year
Do NOT caulk a toilet. If a toilet leaks, you want to know it as soon as possible by seeing the water leaking around the toilet base. If you caulk the toilet, the water -- remember it's POOP water -- will be trapped beneath the toilet, eventually destroying the flooring, subfloor, and anything beneath it.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
I used to think that. It’s literally code though. And it prevents things from going under (boys). Just leave the back uncaulked.
Jake The Wonderdog
last year
last modified: last year
Yes, he should cut the pipe!

You need to smack that plumber upside the head with a pipe wrench.

He should use an escutcheon plate to make it look nice and a compression fitting valve so you can replace the valve without much trouble in the future.
HU-279074282
last year
I always thought that the toilet is not sealed around the flange and you need to caulk around the toilet to prevent sewer gas from escaping. Guess I was wrong?
Seabornman
last year
AI says the IRC requires caulking of toilet base. I'm not going to look it up. I don't caulk because I'm lazy.
wdccruise
last year
"you need to caulk around the toilet to prevent sewer gas from escaping."

No, the trap built into the toilet prevents that. The wax ring beneath the toilet seals the toilet to the flange to which the toilet is bolted and into which the toilet drains. You want to know if there's any leakage underneath the toilet so you can fix it as quickly as possible. That's why the toilet shouldn't be caulked to the floor (but HALLETT & Co. says the code requires the caulking; I don't see the benefit but I'm not a plumber or code-writer).