Renovation: Toilet Relocation

Relocating the toilet during renovation (toilet relocation) is feasible, but it requires selecting an appropriate plan based on the relocation distance and strictly adhering to construction standards to ensure proper drainage and waterproofing.

I. Short-Distance Relocation (10-40 cm)

If the relocation distance is short (e.g., 10 cm), the pipe position can be adjusted directly with relatively low risk. If the distance exceeds 20 cm, the floor usually needs to be raised by 12 cm to increase the pipe slope and ensure smooth drainage.

• Using a Toilet Offset Connector: Suitable for short-distance adjustments of 10-30 cm, with a maximum length of 40 cm. Its advantages include minimal modification and low cost, but it may affect flushing performance and increase the risk of blockage. During construction, a slope of 1%-3% should be reserved to avoid poor drainage.
• Precautions: After installing the offset connector, test the flushing performance. If drainage is slow or blocked, readjust the slope or replace the pipe with a thicker one (e.g., upgrade from DN110 to DN150).

II. Long-Distance Relocation (Over 40 cm)

For longer relocation distances, the following methods should be used:

• Overall Floor Raising: By raising the floor by 12-15 cm, increase the pipe slope to 2%-3% to ensure smooth drainage. This method is suitable for same-floor drainage systems but occupies ceiling height, so indoor space height should be considered.
• Wall-Drain Modification (Requires Building a False Wall): Lay the drainage pipe along the wall, using a specialized offset connector and accurately calculating the installation height. An excessively high offset connector will make the toilet unstable, while an excessively low one will affect drainage performance. This method requires building a false wall to hide the pipe, which may affect indoor aesthetics.

III. Key Construction Standards

• Slope Requirements: Regardless of the method used, the slope of the relocated pipe must comply with national standards (not less than 0.02) to ensure drainage speed and avoid water accumulation or odors.
• Waterproofing Treatment: After relocation, a new waterproof layer must be applied, especially at the junctions between the pipe and the floor and wall. Waterproof coating should be applied, and a closed-water test (at least 24 hours) should be conducted to prevent water from seeping to the floor below.
• Same-Floor Drainage Preferred: If the house has a same-floor drainage system (pipes on the same floor), there is greater freedom for relocation. If the pipes are on the floor below, consult with the property management or the owner of the floor below to avoid damaging the original structure.

IV. Risk Avoidance

• Blockage Risk: After relocation, the pipe becomes longer or has more bends, which may increase the probability of blockage. It is recommended to use a larger-diameter pipe (e.g., DN150) and regularly clear blockages.
• Flushing Performance: The offset connector may affect the toilet's flushing force. Choose a direct-flush toilet or a pressurized toilet to compensate for insufficient flushing.
• Structural Safety: When raising the floor or building a false wall, ensure load-bearing safety to avoid damaging the floor slab or beam structure.