Planning for the new toilet or WC
The installation of a replacement WC, or indeed fitting one in a new location, requires a little advanced planning. The work itself is mostly within the scope of a competent DIY person, but you would be well advised to seek the services of a plumber if alteration or extension of the soil pipe is needed as there are many regulations governing these.
There are many different types of WC available and your choice will depend on the space available, existing soil pipe connections and location and budget.
The supply of water to the new cistern and arrangements for the overflow is relatively simple since these pipes are straightforward to reroute. However, consideration must be given to the connection of the pan to the waste outlet.
Locating the toilet or WC
When siting a new toilet, make sure you have allowed enough room in front of it (minimum 600mm x 600mm). In restricted areas, you should also check that the door can open properly without hitting the WC. A common location for an extra WC is under the stairs. There is often room here for a new room just big enough to house a toilet, but the angle of the stairs has frequently been known to cause headroom problems.
Look carefully at the fixing and special needs for a particular WC before making your purchase.
Note that you should also check the requirements for Planning and Building Regulations approval as well as the Plumbing Regulations and requirements. Not only will these cover the plumbing arrangements, but also adequate ventilation and space requirements.
