Help & advice
Why moving a toilet is a big decision
If you’re replacing your toilet, look for highly efficient (HET) or ultra-low flush (ULF) toilets to minimise water use. Or to save on your budget, buy a cistern displacement / water saving device.
Moving a toilet involves more than just rearranging the furniture. It could be worth it in order to make the most of your space or increase privacy, however it will add to the overall time required to complete the project, which, in turn, increases the cost.
Still keen? The key question is how would the soil pipe get to the new position?
The soil pipe - the wide pipe that carries the waste water and solids away from the toilet - is usually located under or behind your toilet.
Moving where the toilet is will mean either relocating the soil pipe to enter the room from a different part of the wall / floor or routing inside the room, built into a false wall or unit or just disguised with simple boxing in.
How to work out your options:
- Can you easily identify where the current soil pipe joins the main waste stack (the large pipe, sometimes referred to as the vented soil stack, that carries waste water and solids away from the house)? You can normally see the waste stack attached to an outside wall, or you might want to look at plans for your building
- Is the connection point obstructed or hidden? The more hidden it is, the more complicated it’s likely to be to relocate
- Could the soil pipe run downhill from the new toilet location to connect with the waste stack? Gravity plays a role in ensuring the wastewater flows away, and toilets are mostly a standard height!
- Would moving the toilet require modifications to the floor or walls? Structural changes are time consuming and involve additional materials so will increase cost
FAQs
How can I work out the location of the soil pipe and its connection to the main waste stack, especially if it is obstructed or hidden?
Determining the current location of the soil pipe and its connection to the main waste stack requires inspecting the outside wall where the waste stack is usually attached or referring to building plans. The visibility and accessibility of this connection point will effect how complicated moving it would be.
In the context of moving a toilet, what are the considerations and challenges associated with routing the soil pipe inside the room, built into a false wall, or disguised with boxing in?
When considering routing the soil pipe inside the room, built into a false wall, or disguised with boxing in, it is essential to evaluate this challenge - could the soil pipe run downhill from the new toilet location to connect with the waste stack? Gravity plays a role in ensuring the wastewater flows away, and toilets are mostly a standard height! Understanding how these choices might affect the overall project, in terms of aesthetics and practicality, and cost is crucial.
Are there alternative options for relocating the toilet that do not involve modifying the floor or walls, considering the potential complexities and cost implications of structural changes?
Exploring alternative options for relocating the toilet without modifying the floor or walls involves assessing whether the new toilet location allows the soil pipe to run downhill to connect with the waste stack. Considering the gravitational aspect ensures proper wastewater flow without necessitating structural changes, potentially minimizing both complexity and cost.
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