Can the Toilet Position Be Moved During Bathroom Renovation?

During bathroom renovation, the toilet position can be moved, but appropriate methods should be selected according to the situation and relevant precautions should be taken.

Short-distance relocation (10 - 15 centimeters or about 10 centimeters)

A toilet position shifter can be used. It is low-cost and easy to install. However, when the relocation distance exceeds 15 centimeters or there are many elbows, the risk of blockage increases. For the use of a toilet position shifter in inter-floor drainage, the floor slab needs to be raised. To prevent blockage, it is not recommended to relocate the toilet more than 2m, and it is best to create a drainage slope.

Long-distance relocation methods

• Raising the floor: Build a new platform to bury the pipes. The pipe diameter should be at least 110 millimeters, and the slope should be maintained between 2% and 3%. However, this method sacrifices some floor height. If it exceeds 20 centimeters, the floor needs to be raised by 12 centimeters to increase the pipe slope.
• Changing to wall-mounted drainage: The pipes run along the wall, eliminating the need to raise the floor. It is suitable for relocations of more than 50 centimeters. Changing from floor-mounted to wall-mounted drainage means connecting the toilet directly to the sewage riser. However, the toilet position can only be moved to the adjacent wall of the sewage riser, not to the opposite wall. After the change, the toilet is less likely to get blocked, and it is suitable for both same-floor and inter-floor drainage. But changing to wall-mounted drainage requires building a false wall, which can be combined with niches to create storage space during renovation.
• Changing the pipes downstairs: This requires obtaining the consent of the neighbors and conducting a new waterproofing test.

Relocation methods for different drainage systems

• Same-floor drainage (sunken bathroom): The bathroom floor is about 40cm lower than the floor level. The drainage pipes are in your own home, making it convenient for relocation. You can directly change the pipes in the backfill layer or lengthen or shorten the pipes for relocation.
• Inter-floor drainage (the drainage pipes pass through the floor slab for drainage): When receiving a rough-finished house, if you look up and see water pipes in the bathroom above, it is inter-floor drainage; if not, it is same-floor drainage. In addition to the methods mentioned above, you can also directly drill a new hole in the floor slab for relocation, but subsequent formwork treatment is required, and most downstairs owners may not accept it.

Toilet relocation can make the layout more ideal and improve the movement flow after the change. However, no matter which method is used, it is best not to move the toilet position unless absolutely necessary. Also, control the distance to ensure the slope, pay attention to waterproofing, and have it done by professionals. If the toilet gets blocked frequently after relocation, either reduce the amount of toilet paper thrown in or prepare a plunger.