Relocation of Toilet in Old House

The relocation of a toilet in an old house can be achieved through three methods: using a toilet offset flange, converting floor drainage to wall drainage, and raising the floor to create a slope, but it is essential to strictly adhere to regulations and mitigate risks.

I. Specific Implementation Methods

1. Using a Toilet Offset Flange This method is suitable for short-distance relocation (e.g., when the drainage is on a different floor and the relocation distance is ≤ 2 meters). A dedicated circular offset flange should be used. If the relocation distance exceeds 10 cm, the floor should be raised by 15-20 cm to create a drainage slope and prevent blockages. For example, a house over thirty years old successfully relocated its toilet using an offset flange and a 50 mm downpipe. This method is cost-effective and quick to implement but is only suitable for minor adjustments.

2. Converting Floor Drainage to Wall Drainage The toilet's drainage pipe is connected to the wall adjacent to the riser, suitable for both same-floor and different-floor drainage systems. After modification, the pipes are hidden within a false wall, reducing the likelihood of blockages and enhancing aesthetics. Storage space can be increased by incorporating niches. However, constructing a false wall occupies some space, and water and electrical lines need to be planned in advance.

3. Raising the Floor to Create a Slope If the relocation distance exceeds 15 cm, a 110 mm national standard PVC pipe should be used, and the floor should be raised at a slope of over 12°. The joints should be secured with both waterproof adhesive and sealing rings. This method can solve long-distance relocation issues but will raise the height of the bathroom floor, requiring attention to the height difference with other areas.

II. Key Considerations

1. Limitations of Old Houses: In old houses over 10 years old, the drainage pipes are often made of cast iron. Relocating the toilet more than 10 cm can easily lead to poor drainage or pipe breakage, necessitating an assessment of the pipe condition in advance.
2. Professional Inspection: Before relocation, perform a ball test and a closed-water test on the original pipes to confirm there are no cracks or blockages, avoiding rework later.
3. Double Protection: After installation, conduct three ball tests, apply two layers of waterproofing plus polypropylene fabric protection, and perform a 48-hour closed-water test to confirm no leakage and prevent water damage to the downstairs area.
4. Risk Mitigation: Arbitrary relocation can lead to frequent blockages and leaks, potentially requiring compensation for damages to the downstairs area. It is recommended to prioritize hiring a professional construction team for the operation.

III. Handling Special Cases For sunken bathrooms (same-floor drainage), the pipes can be directly lengthened or shortened for relocation. For different-floor drainage, consider negotiating with neighbors to modify the pipes, but this requires物业 (property management) approval and is operationally challenging, necessitating careful feasibility assessment.