Can the toilet be moved during bathroom renovation?

The toilet can be moved during bathroom renovation, but appropriate methods must be selected based on the relocation distance and drainage system, and construction specifications must be strictly followed.

I. Relocation Distance and Core Methods

1. Short-distance relocation (about 10 cm)
   A toilet relocation device can be directly used to extend the sewage pipe for minor adjustments. This method is simple to construct, but when the relocation distance exceeds 20 cm, the floor must be raised by at least 12 cm to increase the pipe slope and prevent poor drainage.

2. Medium- to long-distance relocation (over 20 cm)

   • Floor elevation method: Suitable for large-scale relocation (e.g., over 10 cm). Steps must be built on the original floor to raise the overall height and create a slope. Additionally, double waterproofing treatment must be applied to the step area (apply waterproof coating at the junction of the floor and wall, and install a water barrier).
   • Re-drilling and drainage pipe modification: This requires negotiation with the downstairs resident. After drilling a hole in the floor slab, a new drainage pipe is laid to the main sewage outlet. This method has a lower risk of blockage in the later stage, but it requires professional construction, and proper waterproofing must be done at the joint between the new pipe and the floor slab (e.g., using waterproof mortar for sealing and applying polyurethane waterproof coating).

II. Drainage System and Construction Prerequisites

1. Same-floor drainage (sunken bathroom)
   The sewage pipe is located below the floor of the same level. During relocation, only the pipe layout on the same level needs to be adjusted, without damaging the floor slab, making the construction relatively flexible. However, it is necessary to ensure that the slope of the new pipe is ≥0.02 (i.e., a drop of 2 cm per meter), and PVC pipes (with a smooth inner wall to reduce the risk of blockage) should be used.

2. Inter-floor drainage (traditional bathroom)
   The sewage pipe passes through the floor slab to connect to the main sewage outlet downstairs. Relocation requires modifying the pipes downstairs or raising the floor on the same level. If modifying the pipes downstairs, the consent of the resident must be obtained; if raising the floor, attention must be paid to the height limit (it is generally recommended that the net height after raising be ≥2.2 meters).

III. Key Considerations

1. Slope control: Regardless of the method used, the pipe slope must comply with national standards (0.02); otherwise, it may lead to backflow or blockage of sewage.
2. Waterproofing treatment: After relocation, a closed water test (accumulate water for more than 24 hours and observe for no leakage) must be carried out on the area around the pipes and at the junction of the floor and wall to ensure the integrity of the waterproof layer.
3. Professional construction: Relocation involves pipe modifications and must be carried out by a licensed plumber to avoid water leakage or poor drainage caused by improper construction.

Summary: Toilet relocation is technically feasible, but a plan must be selected based on the distance and drainage system, and strict control of the slope, waterproofing, and construction specifications is required to reduce the risk of later use.