Relocation of Toilet in Old Houses

It is feasible to relocate the toilet position in old houses, but caution is required, especially for houses over 10 years old, as the risk of encountering problems is high if the relocation is done carelessly.

The sewage systems in old houses have inherent limitations. For example, in residential complexes for unit families built in the 1980s and 1990s, the sewage pipes are mostly made of cast iron, with diameters and slopes that match the original house layout. If the relocation exceeds 10 cm, it can easily lead to poor drainage, resulting in frequent blockages or even pipe rupture and water leakage.

If relocation is necessary, here are some methods and key operational points:

• Relocate the original toilet's drainage pipe: First, determine and mark the new position of the toilet. Observe whether the drainage pipe at the new position can be connected to the drainage riser. Then, drill a hole in the floor (not generally recommended as it can damage the steel bars), with the hole size being one size larger than the outer diameter of the drainage pipe. Next, dismantle the original drainage pipe (at the tee position of the drainage riser) and install new pipes such as PVC drainage pipes. Use wide clamps to prevent water leakage during connection. After that, hang a formwork under the floor slab, pour concrete, and after it solidifies, apply reliable waterproofing (such as polymer cement mortar waterproof coating). Finally, lay floor tiles and install the toilet. This method must be agreed upon with the downstairs residents before implementation.
• Use a toilet relocator: For houses over 30 years old with only one main drainage pipe and one toilet drainage, to prevent the bathroom floor from protruding significantly after renovation, a specialized toilet relocator can be used for relocation, and a 50 mm drainage pipe can be added in the middle of the relocator.

In addition, before relocation, hire a professional team to inspect the diameter, slope, and material of the original sewage pipes. If the relocation distance exceeds 10 cm, be mentally prepared to raise the floor by 15 - 20 cm. If you must relocate the toilet, conduct original pipe inspections (perform ball-passing tests and closed-water tests to confirm no problems, then determine the relocation plan according to the house layout. Use a specialized round relocator for distances within 10 cm, and for distances over 15 cm, create a raised layer with a slope of over 12°, use 110 mm national standard PVC pipes, and double-fix the joints with waterproof glue + sealing rings), double protection (after the installation of the sewage pipes, perform ball-passing tests three times to confirm smooth drainage, then apply two layers of waterproofing + one layer of polypropylene fabric protection), and acceptance tests (after the waterproofing work is completed, conduct a 48-hour closed-water test, contact the downstairs owner to confirm no leakage before laying floor tiles).