It's all about the soil pipe
A toilet discharges through a large-diameter soil pipe that must run with a steady fall to the soil stack or drain. The further the toilet moves from the stack, the more height the pipe loses along the way – and the more likely it is to need boxing, a raised floor or a route through joists.
Moving a toilet a short distance along the same wall is usually achievable. Moving it to the opposite side of the room, or across the direction of the floor joists, is where it gets difficult.
Floors and joists
On a timber floor, a soil pipe running parallel to the joists can often sit between them. Running across them means notching or drilling joists, which is limited by building rules on how much timber can be removed. On a concrete floor, the pipe may need to be chased into the floor or boxed above it.
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Options if it can't move far
- Rotate the toilet rather than moving it
- Use a back-to-wall toilet with the pipework hidden in furniture or boxing
- Build a slightly raised platform to gain fall (not ideal for accessibility)
- Use a macerator unit, where suitable and permitted
- Keep the toilet where it is and move the basin, bath or shower instead
Regulations and costs
New drainage work in a bathroom can fall under Building Regulations. A plumber will advise on whether building control needs to be involved. Costs vary widely: a short move might add a few hundred pounds to a refit, while a major relocation with new soil pipework and floor work can add considerably more.
