nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

How to fill 8cm gap between new toilet and wall?

bazzyboy

How can I make this 8cm gap, between newly installed toilet water cistern and wall, look less ugly? Is there a way to fill this to make it less of an eyesore?

This is a new Mondella Cadenza toilet that I got from Bunnings. As per specifications, the set out is max 145 cm. Mine was 160cm from the tile skirting. But the gap left between the back of the cistern and the tile skirting is 7cm. The toilet could not be pushed back any further by the plumber. Not even using the Kinetic 20mm adapter.

It's hard to not be disappointed when I've spent 4 hours of a plumber's services, all your pre-work on measurements and toilet selection, and then have a new toilet installation ending up like this.

Find more posts tagged with

Repairing

Plumbing

Accepted answers

All comments

R4addZ

Hi @bazzyboy

About the only thing you can do is frame it out and fill round it with an interior filler then having moulded/sanded it to the correct shape, paint it to match the cistern

EricL

Hello @bazzyboy

It's great that you've received sound advice from @R4addZ. I agree with his recommendation. A good way to fill the gap is to use a filler or false wall behind the cistern. I suggest looking at using https://www.bunnings.com.au/900-x-1200mm-9mm-lining-panel-white-mdf-primed-herritage-150mm_p0281917 (please double check the size you'll need for fitting). The top can be covered with a timber benchtop panel cut to size. I've placed a rendered sample image below using AI to give you an idea of what it can look like.

Let me call on our experienced members @EbonyD, @RobertWineberg, @Cian and @Eilamoffat for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Eilamoffat

I 100% agree with Eric. If you like this style (personally I think it’s timeless and adds so much character), I’d build a simple timber frame first, allowing for the slight height difference between the floor and the top of the cistern.

Fix VJ panelling to the frame. If it’s a wet area, I’d use James Hardie VJ lining rather than MDF.

Build around the waste pipe by measuring from the centre and cutting a semicircle into two separate panels so they can be joined neatly around the pipe.

Finish it with a timber benchtop using one of the Bunnings timber panels (I have a great little hack to make them look like solid timber). Just make sure the shelf sits high enough that the cistern lid can still be removed for maintenance.

If you’d like to close in the gap beneath the toilet, scribe another piece of VJ panelling to fit and fix it to a timber cleat (or noggin) behind the frame. I’d make this lower panel removable so the plumbing can still be accessed if needed, then finish with a neat bead of silicone where it meets the toilet.

Eilamoffat

Here’s a similar one we designed back home in Scotland

EricL

Hello @Eilamoffat

Thank you so much for those recommendations. Let me tag @bazzyboy to make them aware of your suggestions.

Eric

Eilamoffat

ah sorry I assumed it would just show up in his feed! Thank you!

EricL

It's perfectly ok @Eilamoffat. I just wanted to make sure that bazzyboy saw your recommendations. Just remember to place the "@" symbol in front of the members name and they will get the notification.

Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with the community.

Eric

bazzyboy

Thank you for all your responses. Since I'm short of time, and this is an investment property, I'm considering adding a shelf on top to break the view of the gap.

MitchellMc

Hi @bazzyboy,

That could certainly help break the view.

I'm very sorry to hear that the installation didn't go to plan. From your previous discussion, I think there was an expectation that the cistern would sit 2cm away from the wall, since your setout was outside the limits at 165mm, and the max setout is 145mm. We then have the tile boarder which adds another 9mm or so. However, I am unsure how the larger gap has occured.

I'll reach out via PM for some further details.

I apologise for the inconvenience.

Mitchell

R4addZ

Hi @bazzyboy

I would strongly advise agains leaving the gap. All it takes is for someone to lean backwards whilst sat there for the cistern to be cracked away from the pan and the tennant would just claim incorrect installation as the root cause and you would be up for the expense of fixing it again.

EbonyD

Hello @bazzyboy

Sorry to hear that your plans didn't go ahead.

I do agree with @R4addZ. It is a bit of a Hazzard waiting.

I also agree with the other ideas above. I have a few little add-ons of design.

Please let me know if you would like my recommendations further along if you change your mind. 🧰🛠️🧑‍🔧 I'd be happy to help

Regards

EbonyD

Cian

I'm so sorry that this has happened. Looks like incompatible trap and toilet. Have you enquired about switching out the toilet to cover trap?

It's a difficult cover-up and if it was a forever home I'd say replace.

Bring an investment property you do need to provide support to the toilet, or like mentioned earlier you will have a part broken in no time. The best option is to frame it (especially the back of the toilet for support) and if aesthetics is really an issue include framing in the trap area. Cover it with and bathroom compatible panelling.

I wish you the best of luck.

bazzyboy

Thank you for your generous responses and ideas and the effort into the images!

In summary, a short-term fix is to build a frame around the gap so that the cistern doesn't have a risk of cracking when used as a backrest. Keen to hear about @EbonyD's add-ons of design
A better and permanent fix would be to switch the toilet to another close-coupled model that supports a bigger S-Trap setout, and 3 hours of plumber's services ($420) and a wasted Mondella Cadenza ($234), which means a total of $654 down the drain, plus the cost of the new toilet seat and plumber's fee.

EricL

Hello @bazzyboy

I vote option one, it can be installed in half a day and won't cost as much.

Eric

R4addZ

Hi @bazzyboy

As the saying goes "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't"

bazzyboy

I added two pieces of dressed timber behind the cistern, cut from Specrite 70 x 35mm 0.9m Short Pine Run Of Mill.

The rear piece: I screwed it to the wall. The wall turned out to be plywood instead of plasterboard, and there was no stud behind the cistern area. I drilled holes just large enough to anchor in nylon Wallmate plasterboard anchors (10kg spec).

The front piece: I screwed it through the holes in the cistern.

I used a right angle screwdriver. It was challenging due to the angle and the space available.

I used washers where the gap was uneven to make it a secure and tight fit to reduce any play.

After that, I masked and painted in the same paint and colour as the walls (Haymes Interior in Modesty White)

Alignment of the two pieces was a bit off, but not very visible after painting.

JacobZ

Hi @bazzyboy,

It's a great start and should certainly help to support the back of the cistern.

Are you planning to do any further framing and closing in those sides at all?

Or are you going to look at replacing the toilet?

I would be more than happy to assist with some ideas to frame things up and close it in a bit more.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

bazzyboy

Hi Jacob, I wasn't thinking of framing this further, just due to lack of time. What would your suggestion be?

EricL

Hello @bazzyboy

You could trim down another 70x35 to the shape of the gap and paint it white and place it on both sides so that it totally hides the gap at the back of the cistern. This is on the condition that you still have time to carry out that particular project.

Eric

bazzyboy

Thanks Eric, yes - I agree, that would appear more uniform.

Cutting and painting are the easier part. Securing the timber was hard, as I do not want to remove the cistern. Any ideas for securing?

EricL

Hello @bazzyboy

I propose using https://www.bunnings.com.au/selleys-250g-clear-liquid-nails-construction-adhesive_p1232420 just on the wall side. Please do not put adhesive on the cistern side as this will make servicing the toilet cistern extremely difficult. You can also screw diagonally to the two pieces you already have attached at the back of your cistern.

Eric

bazzyboy

Appreciate that, thanks, Eric.