Can the Toilet Position Be Moved During Bathroom Renovation?

The toilet position can be moved during bathroom renovation, but it depends on the specific situation and there are many restrictions and considerations.

For small-distance relocation (10 - 15 centimeters), a toilet position shifter can be used. It is low-cost and easy to install. However, attention should be paid to the pipe slope, and sunken bathrooms are easier to modify. Generally, moving a short distance of 10 centimeters is relatively safe. If it exceeds 20 centimeters, the floor needs to be raised by 12 centimeters to increase the pipe slope to ensure that sewage can be discharged smoothly.

If you want to move it further, more than 15 centimeters, there are the following methods:

• Raise 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 will sacrifice some floor height and affect the use experience of the indoor space.
• Use a wall-mounted toilet: The pipes run along the wall, and there is no need to raise the floor. It is suitable for moving more than 50 centimeters. However, when converting from a floor-mounted to a wall-mounted toilet, the toilet position can only be moved to the adjacent wall of the sewage riser, not to the opposite wall. Moreover, converting to a wall-mounted toilet requires building a false wall, which has a certain impact on the layout and decoration style of the bathroom.
• Modify the pipes downstairs: This requires the consent of the neighbors and a new waterproofing test. It is more difficult to operate and may lead to neighbor disputes. However, sunken bathrooms are more flexible, and the pipes can be directly modified in the backfill layer, which is relatively convenient.

In addition, moving the bathroom also involves legal and technical issues. Legally, the bathroom should not be directly arranged above the bedroom, living room, kitchen, and dining room of the lower-floor occupants. It is prohibited to convert a room or balcony without waterproofing requirements into a bathroom or kitchen. Technically, if the sewage system is forcibly relocated and a flat pipe is used for relocation, it is easy to cause the accumulation of dirt and increase the risk of blockage. If the waterproofing treatment is not in place, leakage is very likely to occur. Unreasonable pipe layout may generate water flow noise, and improper sealing at the pipe penetration through the floor may cause condensed water to drip.