I want to change my bathroom suite, but I want to put the new toilet in a different place.
Q. I want to change my bathroom suite, but I want to put the new toilet in a different place, is that possible?
A. It is possible to fix a toilet in any position in the bathroom, but there are some considerations that will make moving the toilet to another place less expensive.
The first consideration Is the position of the toilet in relation to the existing Soil Vent Pipe (SVP). Designer Caroline Bezemer explains: “When the house is first built the SVP will be just beside the toilet – you won't see it because it will be boxed in. In older houses the SVP was an external pipe which can be seen outside the building.” Caroline went on to explain that for ease of installation, and thus a lower installation cost, keeping the toilet near the SVP and/or on an outside wall was still norm. However, you do not have to do so, toilets come in a number of configurations, as well as the typical floor standing, toilets are available in back to wall format, with rear or below outlet.
Modern toilets can also be wall mounted, where the flushing cistern is built into a mock-wall, which provides the space to re-route the SVP. Some modern toilets can be fixed into the corner where space is very tight.
In extreme cases it is also possible to fix a waste pipe, called a macerator, which breaks down solid waste and then pumps it out through a normal one inch plastic pipe – this enables toilets to be fitted anywhere in the house, even in cellars which are below the sewer level.
Be aware too of the construction of the floor that the toilet sits on, it is far easier to route water and waste pipes between the joists in a wooden floor, but the floor joists need to be running in the correct direction. A concrete floor attracts much more expense, as it will need channels digging out and surfaces re-laying.
Check with your plumber or installer before trying to fix the toilet in a different place, it may not be straight forward and thus can be expensive to achieve but do be assured it can be done.
