Have a look at your bathroom. Does it need to be renovated? What is the age of the toilet, the vanity and the shower? To make the best choice, you will need to know the differences between the various toilet suites.
Replace the same with the same if you have a tight budget. Because the flooring and plumbing will not need to change, it's simple and economical. This can save you lots of money, as you can see.
This will allow you to identify the type of toilet that you have.
Here are some tips to help you identify the type of toilet suite
There are some things to remember when replacing the same toilet with a new one.
First, the inlet to the cistern. Is the water supply to the cistern at a high or low level? It's called a top-inlet if it comes from a high place. It is a bottom outlet if it enters the cistern below.
The pan outlet is next. Is the toilet pan an S Trap, or a P Trap? It's easy to determine. It's an S Trap if the pan outlet runs through the floor. If the pan outlet goes through the wall it is an S Trap.
Distance is the last thing you should know. Measure from the wall or floor where the pan outlet is located to the centre of your toilet's waste pipe outlet. This measurement is known as your "set out".
This information will allow you to identify the type of toilet that you have.
Understanding the differences between toilet suites
It'll be easy to find the right toilet if you know what type you have. There are many types of toilets, and the one that you have is most likely one of these:
- Suited Connector
- Two close friends
- Back to wall: Wall facing
- Wall hanging
- In-wall/hidden cistern
Every toilet has its own plumbing and cistern. Let's look at them all to clarify the differences.
We'll start with the connector or link toilet. Some consider this an old-fashioned toilet. The pan is typically positioned slightly away from the wall. The cistern is attached to the wall with a flush pipe that connects the cistern and the pan.
This flush pipe is conveniently hidden by a connection plate between the toilets and the cistern. This is the connector suite, as you may have seen toilets positioned quite far from the wall and with a connection plate to their cistern.
Close-knit toilet suites
The term is something you've likely heard before but not really considered. We can now explain what this means.
Close-coupled suites are where the cistern and toilet pan is connected directly. This toilet has a modern appearance and is closer to the wall than the connector toilet.
The outlet is usually hidden within the toilet pan.
Identifying the wall facing (back to wall), toilet suite
This is the toilet that you might have heard most about when renovating. Wall-facing toilet suites (also called 'back to the wall' toilet suites) are one of the most efficient. The pan is flush with the wall and conceals the pipework.
This is a huge plus, especially if there aren't any ugly pipes around.
Wall-faced toilets are popular among renovators because they are modern, efficient in space and easy to clean.
How to identify a wall-hung or in-wall cistern toilet unit
We are now entering the realm of cutting-edge design. The wall-hung toilet, as the name implies, is where the pan is attached to the wall and not the floor. The cistern is often hidden. It can be mounted in-wall, behind the wall (induct), inside a cabinet/vanity unit, or on the ceiling.
The term "In-wall Cistern" refers to the toilet room where the cistern is hidden within the wall. The pan is typically wall-hung. Some people however use the term regardless of where the cistern is located.
Once you know which type of toilet you have, it's time to replace it.
You are now ready to replace the old toilet with a new one
There are many types of toilets available, as you can see. Once you know which toilet suite you have, it's possible to easily replace it. It's the simplest and most cost-effective method to upgrade your toilet, as we have already mentioned.
You will see a better bathroom
There are many different brands of toilets available. There are many options for toilet brands to choose from, including wall-facing, close-coupled, and connectors.