All about toilets

Lets talk Toilet Plumbing

Who would have imagined 20 years ago that toilets would be a fashion statement? Well dare I say that these days, many of our clients are looking for that “good looking toilet.” The style & type of toilet can make or break your new look bathroom.

With so many toilet styles available, here are a few things to consider when choosing your next toilet.

Think long term. If you choose the right toilet, it will last you many years. Do you have small children, teenagers or elderly using the toilet, this may change your plans on the height of your new toilet.
Water saving is an area where you can save many litres of water per flush.
Plastic cistern or china cisterns.
Maintenance – This is huge. We still see many new toilets that cannot be repaired due to parts not available. Consider where the toilet is manufactured. Toilets that appear cheap, may not be cheap in the long run, especially if it fails or leaks & repair parts are not available.

Why do I need a new toilet?

There are many reasons you would consider replacing a toilet.

Aged & dis-coloured toilet.
Not water efficient – older single flush cistern, or an old dual flush cistern.
Mechanisms or replacement parts are no longer available
Cheaper to replace than repair
Toilet pan is old & deep throat requiring 11 litres of water to flush, making new cisterns compatible with the old pan. You will have to flush a few times to flush away solids.
If the toilet pan is cracked, it becomes dangerous as the crack can fracture underweight. If your sitting on the toilet when this happens, it can cause serious injury.

What type of toilet do I need?

There is a wide range of toilet trends & styles to cater for everybody.

In the world of toilet talk, there are many phrases that are used.

Like S trap, P trap, linked or close coupled suite, clean flush & easy height etc.

Your plumber will know all of these terms, but here are a few tips to prepare you for his questions.

It’s also good to look at the space that you have to install a toilet. Your new toilet needs to be compatible with the space that you have.

Clean flush or Easy Clean is a new style that is rimless & makes cleaning easier. Your plumber will be able to give you more information about this new technology.

Toilet designs -

The toilet suite design found in most homes is one where you can see the S trap or P trap. This pipe ware can often be a pain to clean. To solve that issue some more recent designs have joined the cistern and toilet pan into one unit, and others have eliminated the cistern from view completely. This is called a Concealed Toilet Pan.

Link, or connector toilets

One of the most commonly found toilet suites comes in two parts – the cistern and the toilet pan – which are connected with a pipe. These are easy to install, and are also the cheapest. Some have connector options that cover the pipe ware so it cannot be seen.

Concealed Cistern toilets

This covers a variety of designs, but the common factor is that the cistern is concealed, generally behind a wall or cabinet.

The flush buttons are usually located vertically above the toilet pan, within an access panel on the wall or cabinetry. If a problem develops with the cistern, the plumber can gain access through this panel.

The flush buttons are available in different configurations and can even be placed some distance from the toilet, allowing for a more innovative bathroom design.

The toilet pan can be floor-mounted, or wall-hung so you have clearance under the pan. Wall-hung pans can be useful for installing at a non-standard height (for example, they can be set higher to accommodate taller people) but they're only suitable for P trap set-outs.

Also, since the pan and cistern generally don't come as a matched set, you need to make sure that the cistern you choose will work correctly with the pan.

Back to Wall Toilets

These toilets sit flush to the wall, concealing the inlet & waste pipes. This makes cleaning around the toilet much easier.

This is the next step up, budget-wise. As well as eliminating any gap between the cistern and toilet pan, it also sits

flush with the wall so there's no cleaning behind the toilet for dust .

Close coupled Toilets
The most common and affordable toilet. The cistern sits near the wall and the rear of the pan is
offset from the wall.

The close couple toilet design has no gap between the cistern and toilet pan – the cistern sits directly on the toilet

pan. It looks neater than the plastic connector in link toilet suites, but you'll still have to clean the trap pipe ware.

Wall-faced/Wall-hung

Only the toilet pan is visible, and the cistern is concealed behind the wall. Perfect for small
bathrooms. Wall-hung toilets have space underneath giving an ultra-minimalist or modern appearance.

Comfort/Easy Height suites / Over Height

These have an increased pan height for your comfort. Especially good for people who have had injury, illness or elderly.

Easy to clean toilets.

This is a relatively new design & talks about the toilet pan. The rim around the top of the toilet pan where the water used to come out from when flushed, has been eliminated, which allows for an easy clean.

Should I get a rimless toilet?

These toilet pans are known as Rimless or Clean flush

For most of us, there is a rim under the edge of the toilet that the seat is positioned on. Cleaning under the rim is essential for removing any nasties that you can't see, but new rimless toilets have made this irrelevant.

Rimless toilets are exactly what you would think – this new design has no rim to clean under. The rimless toilet also embraces that you are able to use less chemicals to clean the toilet, therefor more environmentally friendly. This toilet comes at an extra cost, which some feel it is money well spent.

Rimless toilets use a direct flushing system which distributes water around the pan more effectively. This means that each flush is more efficient.

Know your set-out measurements
This is the distance from your wall or floor to the center of the waste pipe in your floor, depending on the type of toilet you have. This number is important. Without it, your toilet might not fit, or you will need to use an off set pan connector. Where possible, we recommend you avoid the use of an off set pan connector.

NB: More information about this at towards end.

Think about the space around you
When planning the position of your toilet, allow at least 20cm on either side for elbow room.

How much does a plumber charge to install a toilet?

Plumbing is a specialised trade that requires thousands of hours of training to master. A plumber is required to have all the correct licencing, registration & insurances. They are also required to have all the specialised tools & equipment.

To purchase a new toilet costs anywhere between $200 upwards depending on the brand, materials, style & place of manufacture. Some European brand toilets can cost over $1000.

A plumber will charge anywhere between $350 +gst upwards to install a toilet suite. Some toilets are able to be installed in a couple of hours while others will take longer depending on the style, degree of difficulty & your location.

Moyle Plumbing’s average cost to install an owner supplied toilet is around $385 - $440 including GST. This cost includes removing & disposing of your old toilet.

Some examples that add to the cost of a toilet installation are -

- If the old toilet is concreted or tiled to the floor.

- If the old pan screws are rusted.

- It the outlet sewer pipe is old earth-n-ware.

- If the outlet sewer pipe does not line up or if off centre.

- If the water connection point is to be changed.

- Back to wall style toilets take longer to install.

Can I DYI Install a toilet?

It can be easy to fall into the DIY trap when it comes to fixing your own plumbing issues at home.

There are so many DIY videos, resources and instructional guides available on the internet, we don’t blame you for trying. After all, it’s cheaper than hiring a professional plumber, right?

What seemed like an easy and cost-effective DIY fix at first, whether it was a leaking tap or a clogged toilet, can soon became your worst nightmare.

To make matters worse, your insurance refuses to cover the damages because you’re not a licensed professional.

In Western Australia, you need a license to do any sort of plumbing work, this includes leaking pipes, drainage issues and gas-fitting. Conducting DIY plumbing work can actually void warranties, with insurance companies refuting your claims.

This is why it’s important that you hire a licensed plumber.

Plumbers have passed training and certifications to be able to conduct plumbing work that complies with local, state and Australian standards and Government regulations.

Why do I need to use a licenced Plumber for toilet plumbing?

Whether you’re adding a new toilet, renovating or need some plumbing fixed, as a homeowner or a property manager, it’s in your best interest to hire a professional plumber for many reasons.

Professional & Licenced plumbers do more than fix problems with a sink or toilet. They help protect your home from potential plumbing problems and water damage. They can help save you money and headaches.

The main reason & really should be the only reason to get your plumber to install a toilet is that it is law that only a licenced plumber install toilets.

1) Licenced Plumbers consider your health & safety.

- If you’re on sewage or even your own sanitary system, then It is important to respect & maintain this sanitary plumbing system correctly. It keeps us all safe, and the network in good working order, only licenced plumbers are trained & licenced to work on this network.

- The water supply to your toilet is also on the water network. This is also your drinking water. An incorrect attachment to this network can cause problems to your water pipes. It is important to keep this water supply healthy & secure, ensuring sustainable water for us all.

- All care needs to be given as to prevent cross contamination or backflow to this water supply.

2) Insurance

- Your insurance company will not cover any damage including water damage caused by a toilet which has not been installed by a licenced plumber.

- The warranty of your toilet is void if installed by anybody other than a licenced plumber.

- You want your toilet to look good. Not all toilets suit every situation. There are different types, style & brands of toilets, the water inlet can vary from style to style, which means if you don’t get the correct toilet, you may also have to open the wall up behind the toilet & alter the plumbing pipes to fit.

- Many blocked toilets are caused by poorly installed toilets. Unblocking a toilet can get costly if a plumber is to lift the toilet to clear, or use drain cleaning equipment.

3) DIY Plumbing is illegal

- Plumbing is a very regulated industry.

A licenced plumber has had many years of training & experience so our sanitary systems are kept in excellent working order. Your toilet is connected to both water & sewerage systems, therefor it is imperative that a licenced plumber installs your new toilet. It is illegal to install your own toilet.

4) Warranty

Your new toilet would have come with a warranty, which may have been one of the reasons you purchased that toilet. If your new toilet is not installed by a licenced plumber, then your warranty is void.

NB: Here are a couple of paragraphs from the fine print of two separate toilet manufacturers -

Alterations and repairs of the Products other than by an accredited and licensed service agent or technician are not covered
The item has been installed by a plumber or tradesperson licensed to install this product

Note: The full segment from the above extract is at the bottom of this blog.

Water efficiency in toilets

Every toilet should have a WELS (water efficiency labelling standard) star rating, introduced by the Australian Government for water efficiency in 2005.

The star rating lets you easily compare water usage between toilets – the higher the star rating, the more efficient the toilet.

Ratings are based on the number of litres used for four half flushes combined with the number of litres for one full flush. All toilets sold in Australia must have both half and full flush options, and all toilets must be registered for WELS.

If building or renovating, there are minimum star rating requirements you must adhere to. The current requirements are a four-star rating toilet for new homes and three-star toilet for a renovation or replacement of toilet.

The higher the rating, the more water you'll save, and the more money you'll save on your water bill.

Add wels pic

Toilet seats

The main design change for a lot of toilets is the addition of new soft closing toilet seats.

This is a welcome change as gone are the days of the toilet seat slamming down onto the toilet pan after every use.

Another new option is the quick-release toilet seat. These have a simple mechanism to remove the seat for cleaning, rather than having to use a tool to remove it from the toilet pan.

Bidets and smart toilets

We have all seen the European and American bidets which sit as a separate unit next to the toilet. These days we have more bidets options, which can be added as an optional extra onto your existing toilet. Be aware – Not all bidet seats available will fit on your toilet pan.

It is important to enlist the expertise of your plumber, as these bidets seats interact with your water supply.

Some bidets seats also require power which will require an electrician.

Bidet washer, is a hose that connects to your water supply. This type of butt washer is very common in Asian countries & becoming more prevalent in Australia.

You need to be very careful when installing one of these types of bidet washers.

Check that it has been approved for use in Australia & meets with the Australian standards.

It must be connected with a non-return valve as not to allow the dirty water to flow back into your drinking water supply.

The floor under the tiles should be water proofed to avoid water damage. It is inevitable that water will end up on the floor from this kind of bidet washer. If this water is not mopped up, or if the tap was to leak, water damage is likely & insurance will not cover if the fixture does not meet with Australian standards or installed by your licenced plumber.

BEFORE YOU BUY A TOILET - KNOW your toilet WASTE

🔯 Choosing the correct waste outlet is vital. Inspect the waste pipe you have before purchasing your new toilet.

THREE TYPES OF WASTE TRAP

S Trap - This is the most common of outlets - It goes through the floor.

P Trap - Outlet is through the back wall

Screw traps -the outlet pipe is to the left or right side.

Where is the WATER INLET for the toilet isolation tap?

It is important to know where your toilet isolation tap is. If your new toilet isolation tap is not in the same spot, then you will need to open the wall behind the toilet & have your plumber re-run a new water line to suit the new type of toilet.

To save you money, try to choose & purchase the same inlet type as your old toilet

What can I DYI in Plumbing?

Plumbing in Australia is very regulated. The Queensland government has stated very clearly what a homeowner can do legally without repercussions:

Replace a jumper valve or washer in a tap.
Change a showerhead
Install or maintain irrigation or lawn watering systems isolated from valve, tap or backflow prevention device on the supply pipe for this system.
Replacing an in water closet cistern, drop valve washer, float valve wash or suction rubber to a toilet.
Cleaning or maintaining ground level grates on sanitary drains.
Replacing caps to ground level inspection openings on sanitary drains.

For everything else, contact your emergency or maintenance plumber.

Moyle Plumbing is your go to emergency plumber - Brisbane Southside - Gold Coast North - Logan City

📞0447 671 095

* Before installing your own toilet, please read these Extracts from 2 Manufacturers fine print warranty information -

Caroma Industries – Warranty Conditions
This extended warranty only covers Caroma Industries Limited (“Caroma”) products, including Epure Lifetime™ and CLARK Lifetime™ products (collectively “Products”), and does not extend to products which you have selected outside our Product range. This extended warranty only applies to defects which have arisen solely from faulty materials or workmanship in the Products and does not apply to other defects which may have arisen as a result of, without limitation, the following: accidental damage, abuse, misuse, maltreatment, abnormal stress or strain, harsh or adverse weather conditions, including excessive water pressure, temperature, or neglect of any kind of the Products. Alterations and repairs of the Products other than by an accredited and licensed service agent or technician are not covered. For the avoidance of doubt, attachment of accessories or use of non-genuine replacement parts other than those manufactured or approved by Caroma are not covered by this extended warranty.

American – Standard Warranty Conditions

This warranty will apply only under all of the following conditions:

• The item has been installed by a plumber or trades person licensed to install this product

• The item has been installed for and subjected to domestic use only

• Failure is due to a fault in the manufacture of the product

• Proof of purchase (including the date of purchase) is provided

• The installation of the product is in accordance with the instructions provided

Watch plumber David install a new toilet in 30 seconds.

For friendly advise or price on how much to install your toilet, call us 8.30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday.

Proudly plumbing & trusted by our local community since 1983.

Gold Coast North– Logan City – Brisbane Southside

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