If you are looking to renovate your bathroom, you will probably be at the stage where you need to choose a new toilet. There are so many different ones to choose from that it can be overwhelming to decide which is best for your room scheme. Here, we are going to ask are wall hung toilets a good idea and how to install one.
Wall-hung toilets can not only save space but are a very attractive design too. If you want your new bathroom to look smart and modern, then a wall-hung toilet is definitely an item that you need to consider. Let’s look at the different types of toilets you will find for sale at the moment and how they compare to a wall hung toilet.
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Different Types of Toilets
One-Piece
A one-piece toilet is a toilet that that is formed from a single molded piece of pottery. This means that the cistern and the toilet bowl come in one conjoined piece and aren’t able to be swapped or replaced independently. These toilets are very easy to install and are less likely to leak than a two-piece toilet. However, if there is a problem with the system which can’t be fixed, you have to replace the whole thing rather than simply buy a new cistern or a new bowl. This can make it a more expensive choice if you are considering the long term costs, but it is cheaper to buy initially.
Two-Piece
A two-piece toilet is one that comes in two parts, the cistern, and the bowl. These two parts are connected together, and the waste and the water is connected separately as well. These types of toilets are more traditional, and you’ll see these in most traditional bathrooms. They come in a wide variety of designs, and these designs can be tailored to suit your tastes thanks to the fact that you can pick and mix cisterns and bowls.
Wall Hung
A wall hung toilet is one where the bowl is hung from the wall, and the cistern is concealed behind the wall. This makes the whole look much more streamlined and flusher, which is really appealing for a modern bathroom look. They are, however, expensive and not as simple to install, like the one-piece and the two-piece toilets. It will also cost more if your wall hung toilet goes wrong due to the fact that you will need to gain access to the cistern. Knowing how to install a wall hung toilet and how to maintain it yourself will save you a fortune.
Why Are Wall Hung Toilets Great?
So many people choose a wall hung toilet because they not only look good, but they save so much space as well. Without having to install the bowl onto the floor and without the addition of a protruding cistern, this setup is much more simply designed than a one-piece or a two-piece toilet.
In fact, another reason why people prefer the wall hung toilets over one or two-piece toilets is that they are much easier to clean. No hidden crevices to cause a build-up of dirt and grime, no exposed pipes. The streamlined look of a wall hung toilet is much more pleasing on the eye and much more bearable in the cleaning department too!
How to Install A Wall Hung Toilet?
Prepare your wall
Because your cistern is going to be hidden behind the wall and the bowl suspended, you need to make sure that the wall is properly prepared for this. You will need supporting brackets for both the cistern and the bowl, as well as a concealed panel to enable you to access the cistern in the future. You will need to account for the flush handles and consider how high or low you wish to hang your toilet bowl.
If you are unsure how to create these supports, you can buy a ready-made steel system that can be fitted behind the wall and used to mount the toilet onto. This is the most important part of the installation process, so you need to make sure you take your time over it and get it right.
Install the toilet bowl
Depending on your decided height, you can install your toilet bowl at the right height for you. You will need to locate the fixing or mounting holes, line it up nicely with the waste pipe, and fit them in snugly. Make sure you remember your waste seal (this might be a wax ring or a rubber seal) as this ensures no leaks between the waste pipes.
Install your cistern
As we said, the cistern is going to hide behind the wall, so installing this will depend on whether you have built a false wall or whether you are building a “box out” for the cistern. Insert the cistern into the slot, making sure you are able to connect it easily to the water outlet and that it will fit snugly onto the pipe that leads to the toilet bowl. Connect up your water.
In most cases, wall-hung toilets come with flush buttons rather than flush handles. These buttons will be sat flush (pardon the pun) against the wall, and as such, you need to consider carefully where you are going to position them. Too high and they will stand out too much, too low, and they will become covered with the toilet seat when it’s lifted.
Create your new wall or covering
Once you have everything in place and connected up, you can conceal your toilet with your new wall. This could be with a dry board, or it could be with tiles. Remember to create a panel that you could use to access the cistern should you need to make any repairs.
Where to Buy A Wall Hung Toilet
If you have decided that a wall hung toilet is for you, then there are a few places where you can purchase one. You can head to the hardware store or home depot where you can look, feel, and even try out (well nearly) your new toilet. Be expected to pay over the odds for your toilet unless you can find yourself an end of line bargain or a customer return.
Another place to look is online. You will be able to pick up a new toilet for less than you would expect to pay in a high street store and will still be able to get great quality. The beauty of buying online is that you can see customer feedback about each item pretty easily. Looking up customer reviews is one of the best ways to tell if the product is of good quality or not.
Finally, you could always take a look at places such as craigslist and Facebook. Lots of people will buy a new toilet only to realize it doesn’t fit and will sell it on, still in its original packaging, for a fraction of the price they paid. This could save you a small fortune and even pay for the installation!
Wall hung toilets really are a great look for any modern bathroom and are also a really good alternative to those looking for a higher seating position on their toilets. If you want the contemporary look and the freedom that a wall hung toilet gives you, then why not get shopping around for one today?
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