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How to replace a toilet?

I have an old toilet which is a pretty standard close coupled type which the annoying space behind the pan. The toilet has issues (with flushing and filling - annoying to fix every 6 months) and I absolutely HATE cleaning around the back of it (kids, you know).

I am wanting to replace this toilet with a back to wall type so I don’t need to deal with cleaning behind it, and also because I’m hoping a new toilet will actually work better than the old thing I have.

what considerations are there for this?
I will, of course, engage a plumber to carry out the work because I am not a plumber and have no business at all doing this sort of work.

do installations like this typically require moving plumbing? How do I know if the new toilet will be compatible with the existing plumbing? I really don’t think that moving plumbing will be a feasible option (it’s an apartment).

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EricL

Hello @karinas

Thanks for sharing your question about your toilet. In order for our members to get a better idea of your toilet's configuration, would it be possible for you to post a photo of your toilet? Once we see the position of the cistern tap and the configuration of your toilet pan, we'll be able to offer recommendations on what you can do to fit a back to wall toilet suite.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

karinas

EricL

Hello @karinas

Thank you for posting those extra photos of your toilet suite. I propose looking at the Mondella Concerto Back To Wall Rimless Toilet Suite WELS 4 Star 4.5L/Full as a possible replacement. It has an Ultra slim, soft close resin seat and has an adjustable setting distance of S: 90-180mm P: 180mm. Please note that if you do upgrade to a back to wall toilet suite, the cistern tap will need to be relocated above and inside the cistern tank which means that you'll need the services of a plumber.

However, I don't see any other hindrances in your way in regards to upgrading your toilet suite. I recommend visiting your local store and having a look at the back to wall toilet suites and see which one you prefer.

I also suggest checking out our Toilet Installation Service at the special orders desk. Please make sure to speak to your plumber in regards to the planned upgrade to make sure they are aware of what kind of job you are requesting from them.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

karinas

Thanks Eric.
do you think there might be a way to do this without having to move the tap? I’m in a unit and hoping for minimal dealings with strata (they are not an easy bunch) and minimal time for the plumber to be here.
Do all back to wall toilets need the cistern tap to be located inside the cistern tank like you described?

EricL

Hello @karinas

I'm sorry but the tap has to be moved, as it will end up inside the skirt of the pan which means that in the event of a leak or flood the entire toilet suite must be disassembled in order to get to the cistern tap in order to turn it off. This is why the tap has to moved up to the cistern. Another option is to move the tap a little bit over to the right so that it avoids the pan skirt completely, but a long hose will need to be connected to the cistern tap to the cistern itself which defeats the clean minimalist look.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Morning @karinas

I would have a chat with a plumber before going down the route of replacing. The hole in the floor may have to be moved depending on the type of toliet bowl you want. To go with the seemless tank that would solve your issue. I didnt know that there was a different spacing from the wall for different types of pans until I started looking into replacing mine. (yet to be done) So I would approcach a plumber to get an estimite and also confirm what spacing you have so you can source one that looks liek @EricL's suggestion but lines up with your hole in the floor.

Dave

karinas

Thanks for that info Eric.
I thought i had seen back to wall toilets with the inlet hose coming into the bottom of the cistern.. but hadn’t thought about having to take the whole thing apart if the tap was leaking and I needed to turn it off.
i live in a unit so moving any plumbing is a hassle and I was really hoping to avoid it! I’ll definitely get a plumber to come have a look before purchasing a new toilet.

karinas

Oh dear. Moving the floor waste would be even more of a hassle.. Thankyou for pointing that out. Definitely need a plumber to assess first. Thanks for the info Dave.

Nailbag

Hi @karinas

I agree with @Dave-1 in first getting the plumber to looks at the existing scenario. Your waste goes through the floor and not through the back wall. So it's important to obviously purchase and toilet that wastes the same. As @EricL mentioned, regardless of toilet the tap will need to relocate to the right. But most of the opening of the wall to make this happen with be hidden by the new toilet.

Nailbag

Hi @karinas

its doesn't need to move, as I said earlier it just means purchasing the right toilet with a bottom waste outlet. This is a very common scenario for slab toilets run particular so it won't be an issue.

Nailbag

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