Can Old Houses Have Movable Toilets?

Old houses can have movable toilets, but there are many restrictions and it requires careful operation. Details are as follows:

I. Toilet relocation when the old house has cast-iron sewer pipes For old houses with cast-iron sewer pipes, toilet relocation is possible, but it is not recommended. If you want to relocate the toilet within the bathroom, there are two methods:

• Changing the position of the toilet sewer pipe: You need to confirm whether the new position can be connected to the drainage riser. Make holes in the ground (not generally recommended as it can damage the steel bars), dismantle and install the toilet sewer pipe, backfill and seal the holes, and finally carry out ground decoration and toilet installation. This method must be discussed and agreed upon with the downstairs residents because it involves their rights and the structural safety of the building.
• Using a toilet relocator: Adjust the position of the toilet through a relocator. This method is relatively less difficult in terms of construction compared to changing the position of the sewer pipe, but it also has certain limitations.

II. Inherent limitations of the sewage system in old houses Many unit family compounds built in the 1980s and 1990s have sewage pipes made of cast iron, with diameters and slopes that match the original house type. If the relocation exceeds 10 cm, it is likely to cause poor drainage, resulting in frequent blockages and even pipe rupture and water leakage. Moreover, an unprofessional construction team can also cause problems. For example, they may overlook special issues such as the aging of pipes and the lack of traps in old houses, and following the logic of new house construction can easily lead to pitfalls.

III. Precautions if you must relocate the toilet

• Before construction: Conduct an original pipe inspection. Use a special round relocator for relocation distances within 10 cm. For distances exceeding 15 cm, create a raised layer with a slope of more than 12°. Select 110mm national standard PVC pipes and double-fix the joints.
• During construction: Take double protection measures. After the installation of the sewage pipes is completed, conduct three ball-passing tests. Apply two layers of waterproofing and one layer of polypropylene fiber cloth for protection.
• After construction: Conduct acceptance tests. After the waterproofing construction is completed, carry out a 48-hour closed-water test. Contact the downstairs owner to confirm that there is no leakage before proceeding with the next step of tile laying.