Can the Toilet Be Moved During Bathroom Renovation?

During bathroom renovation, the position of the toilet can be moved, but a comprehensive assessment and selection of an appropriate method are required based on factors such as the type of bathroom drainage and the distance of movement.

Common Methods for Moving the Toilet

• Using a toilet offset flange: This modification is relatively simple, but the distance of movement is limited. For inter-floor drainage, since the floor slab cannot be excavated, the floor slab needs to be raised. It is not recommended to move the toilet more than 2 meters, and it is best to create a drainage slope. For small-distance movements of 10 - 15 centimeters, it can be used. It has a low cost and is easy to install, but attention should be paid to the slope of the pipes. Moving a short distance of 10 centimeters is the safest. If it exceeds 20 centimeters, the floor needs to be raised by 12 centimeters to increase the slope.
• Converting floor drainage to wall drainage: Connect the toilet directly to the sewage riser. The position can only be moved to the adjacent wall of the sewage riser. After the modification, the toilet is less likely to get clogged. This method is applicable to both same-floor drainage and inter-floor drainage, but a false wall needs to be built. During renovation, it can be combined with niches to create storage space. It is suitable for moving the toilet more than 50 centimeters. The pipes run along the wall, and there is no need to raise the floor.
• Directly lengthening or shortening the pipes: For sunken bathrooms, the floor slab is at a low position, and the internal floor can be modified. The pipes can be directly lengthened or shortened for relocation.
• Modifying the sewage pipe in the neighbor's house: For inter-floor drainage, go to the neighbor's house to directly modify the sewage pipe to the desired position. However, this requires the neighbor's consent, and a new waterproof test needs to be carried out.

Problems and Precautions When Moving the Toilet

• Cost and construction difficulty: Different modification methods have different costs, and the construction has a certain degree of difficulty, such as raising the floor slab when using an offset flange, building a false wall when converting floor drainage to wall drainage, and modifying the pipes in the neighbor's house. Changing the position of a squat toilet usually requires reinstalling the sewage and drainage pipes, involving floor excavation, pipe laying, and sealing, which incurs a relatively high cost.
• Clogging risk: If the position is moved too far, it is prone to clogging. Moving more than 15 centimeters or having multiple elbows increases the risk of clogging.
• Other impacts: Raising the floor will sacrifice the floor height. If the floor height is not high, caution is required. The newly installed pipes may cause the bathroom floor to be raised, affecting the user experience.

When carrying out bathroom renovation, be sure to have professional personnel carry out the construction to ensure quality and safety. Protect key facilities such as water pipes and sewers during the renovation process. When selecting a new position, consider convenience of use and aesthetics. After relocation, ensure a slope of 0.02 in accordance with national standards and do a good job of waterproofing.