Relocation of Toilet in Old Houses

Relocating the toilet in old houses requires careful handling. Moving the toilet randomly may lead to issues such as poor drainage, frequent clogging, and even pipe rupture and water leakage. Here are specific solutions and precautions:

Solutions

1. Use a toilet offset connector
   This is suitable for short relocation distances (generally no more than 10cm). As a pipe fitting, the offset connector can connect the original drainage pipe and the new toilet's drainage outlet, but it may affect the flushing effect. Before installation, ensure that the floor tiles are laid to allow for accurate measurement. For example, during the renovation of an old house over thirty years old, a dedicated toilet offset connector combined with a 50mm drainage pipe was used to solve the drainage problem.

2. Raise the floor for relocation
   This is suitable for long relocation distances or when there is no backfill layer on the bathroom floor. Pipes need to be laid on the floor and then raised and buried, but this will increase inconvenience in use and affect aesthetics.

3. Create a new hole for relocation
   There must be sufficient space below the bathroom floor slab, and the consent of the downstairs owner must be obtained. Relocation is achieved by creating a new drainage outlet below the floor slab and connecting it to the original system, but construction must be carried out in accordance with regulations to avoid clogging.

4. Switch to a rear-discharge toilet
   This is suitable for long-distance relocation when raising the floor is not desired. The drainage pipe of a rear-discharge toilet is arranged along the wall, making it easier to handle concealed issues, but it requires professional selection and installation.

Precautions

• Pipe material and slope limitations: The drainage pipes in old houses are mostly made of cast iron, with calibers and slopes matching the original house type. Relocation beyond 10cm can easily lead to poor drainage. If the relocation distance exceeds 15cm, a raised layer with a slope of more than 12° needs to be made, and 110mm national standard PVC pipes should be selected with double-fixed joints.
• Pre-construction inspection: It is necessary to inspect the original pipes for cracks or clogging to avoid subsequent problems caused by aging of the old pipes.
• Ball-passing test and waterproofing treatment: After the installation of the drainage pipes is completed, three ball-passing tests should be carried out. After confirming smooth drainage, two layers of waterproofing and one layer of polypropylene fabric protection should be applied, followed by a 48-hour closed-water test.
• Prioritize professional assessment: It is recommended to consult a professional team first to assess conditions such as pipe diameter, slope, and material to avoid making decisions solely based on renderings.