Should feet touch the floor on a toilet?

Author: Dr. Domenica Mante DVM  |  Last update: Monday, January 5, 2026

It is important that when sitting on the toilet, both of your feet touch the ground. While a taller toilet can sometimes make it easier for the elderly and/or disabled to stand up, not everyone in the family may be comfortable with the increased height.

Should your feet touch the ground on a toilet?

Ideally, your feet should be flat on the floor or on a footstool, and your knees should be slightly higher than your hips to facilitate a more natural position for bowel movements. Length of Time: Spending too long sitting on the toilet can lead to issues like hemorrhoids or other discomfort.

How far does a toilet need to be from the floor?

For toilet height, measure vertically from the floor to the rim of the toilet. The standard toilet height is 15”, though some toilets are as high as 18”-19” for comfort or accessibility. Toilet height does not include the lid and seat.

Is it bad if my feet fall asleep on the toilet?

Your feet are more likely to fall asleep if you're a skinny guy. In most cases, experiencing pins and needles on the john is nothing to worry about. Spending too much time there—particularly if you're straining—can lead to hemorrhoids or bleeding.

How tight should a toilet be to the floor?

The base of the toilet should be flush with the floor; if it's not, try correcting the problem with rubber or silicone shims.

I put vinegar in my mom’s toilet, WATCH WHAT HAPPENS!

Why is my toilet not tight to the floor?

Check the Bolts First

Sometimes a rocking toilet can be fixed by tightening the two flange bolts, or closet bolts, at the base of the toilet. Do this carefully. Tightening the bolts too much can crack the brittle porcelain of the toilet, for which there is no repair.

How do you know if your toilet is seated properly?

Confirm that the base is stable and level by carefully rocking it from side to side and back to front before you bolt the toilet down. If it does not sit perfectly flat, it will rock and is more likely to leak over time. To correct this problem, slip toilet shims between the base and the floor to stop the rocking.

Why do my legs go numb so fast on the toilet?

“When you bear down to poop, you raise the pressure in your spinal column, technically called the intrathecal pressure. Sometimes that rise in pressure will cause the discs in your spine to move against the nerves where they exit the spine and cause numbness, weakness, and a generally weird feeling down the legs.

How do you make your feet not fall asleep on the toilet?

You can, however, try to prevent it from happening: Buy something called an air doughnut, an inflatable device that can give your butt more cushion, improving blood flow to your feet.

Can sitting on the toilet too long cause nerve damage?

Toilet seat neuropathy is a sciatic nerve neuropathy due to sitting on hard surfaces. Intermittent episodes of a bilateral lower extremity tingling with complete resolution with standing the hallmark of toilet seat neuropathy.

Should you caulk around a toilet?

Reasons to Caulk Around a Toilet

Moisture Prevention: Without caulk around the toilet base, external water can seep under the toilet, leading to floor and subfloor damage over time. This is especially important in bathrooms with wooden floors, as prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to rot and structural issues.

Should the toilet be flush with the floor?

A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

When to use an extra thick wax ring?

A thicker wax ring is used when the flange has already been set on the subfloor and is flush with the tile instead of sitting on top of it. This will help make up the height difference.

Why we shouldn't squat over the toilet when we pee?

2: Squatting Over the Toilet

When you squat, the muscles in your pelvis are all activated and engaged. This includes your pelvic floor muscles, which prevents your bladder and bowels from fully emptying. Squatting to pee can cause a weak pelvic floor in the long term as well as urinary tract infections.

Should I elevate my feet when pooping?

Proper pooping technique:

You don't want to sit on the toilet with your feet flat because this doesn't let the pelvic floor muscles easily relax, which is what's needed for an easy bowel movement. Instead, you want to raise your knees up, but in a passive way, not by pressing onto your tippy toes.

Why are toilets low to the ground?

Toilets that are lower to the ground tend to be beneficial for people with bowel issues like this. This is due to the fact that your knees will be slightly raised, which is proven to help with bowel movements.

Is it normal for your feet to fall asleep on the toilet?

All jokes aside, when we hunch over on the toilet, the blood flow to our pelvis is constricted. This limits the circulation in our legs, feet and toes.

Why do my toes turn blue when I sit on the toilet?

Acrocyanosis. Acrocyanosis is a condition that causes the extremities, such as the toes, to turn blue. This occurs when the blood vessels constrict, preventing blood flow and oxygen from moving through that part of the body.

What happens if your leg falls asleep for too long?

Medically speaking, it's called paresthesia, which occurs when a nerve has been compressed or damaged. Most of the time, it passes quickly, soon after a quick shake or a brisk walk. It's time to consult your healthcare provider if the symptoms linger for more than 30 minutes.

Why shouldn't you sit on the toilet too long?

Turns out extended toilet sitting can lead to hemorrhoids, weakened pelvic muscles, and an increased risk of rectal prolapse.

How do I stop falling asleep on the toilet?

How to Stop Your Legs From Falling Asleep on the Toilet
  1. Don't Hunch. "Hovering in a hunched position can be hard on the pelvic floor muscles, preventing the colon from fully relaxing and passing stool effortlessly," Dr. ...
  2. Don't Linger. Dr. ...
  3. Get a Toilet Stool. ...
  4. Try a Toilet Cushion.

Do you put the wax ring on the toilet or on the floor?

Position the new toilet wax ring on top of the toilet flange, ensuring it is centered.

What is the correct posture for sitting on the toilet?

Make sure your feet are flat on the stool and that your knees are made higher than your hips. Lean forwards slightly. Breathe in, then as you breathe out , try to either make a sound in your throat, for example say the word 'Idge' or 'Ooo'.

How much is a new toilet installation?

The average U.S. homeowner spends about $374 to install a toilet. Depending on location, materials, size, and type, most spend between $224 and $533.

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