Re-locating toilet

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Hi,
I have found that the clay soil pipe under the concrete floor is broken in numerous places and needs replacing.
The problem I have is the toilet is 6 feet from external wall which would mean digging up the concrete floor which I don't really want to do...

I was wondering if I could move the toilet next to the external wall and put a new plastic soil pipe through the wall 2 feet above the existing clay one drop down and join the chamber by removing old clay pipe and going in the same access hole.

If this is acceptable practice would I be ok to go through wall then 87.5 bend drop down a foot then another bend to the chamber. The distance to chamber would be about 3 feet in total.

Thanks Steve

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Sounds like a plan. I'd look at joining onto the existing clay pipe outside the manhole if at all possible though, it'll save you a lot of work! Make sure the old pipe is sealed off though at both ends before abandoning it.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Thanks for your reply Hugh. The existing clay pipes going to the chamber are also leaking and distorted due to the builders rubble that was thrown in as back fill... therefore would you know how I would connect to the concrete chamber with plastic pipe.

The old set of clay pipes has an inspection / rodding branch with a drop to the lower chamber. Would I need to replace this as well?
Thanks

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Break out the old pipe, fit the new, and make good the hole with concrete and then the benching with a strong mortar or grano mix. Replace like for like, if there's a backdrop there now, you will need to replace it, unless you dig a deeper hole, and put the vertical drop entirely against the house wall, then run the new pipework from the house at the same depth as the invert at the chamber.

You don't want foul waste, especially from a WC connection, entering the chamber at high level, it will make an unholy mess, and possibly lead to the chamber blocking over time. The purpose of the backdrop is to take the waste into the chamber at the appropriate level, whilst still providing rodding access along the run to the chamber.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Thanks Hugh, will do as you have advised and replace like for like.

Would you know if it is ok the bore another hole 2 feet above an existing hole in the wall without any structural consequences?

Cheers

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Should be ok, the existing hole should have a lintel over the pipe to take the weight, if its below ground. If not then maybe worth putting a few bricks back in once you've broken out the old pipe, belt and braces approach.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Sorry one last question... I will be using grey coloured soil pipe above ground, do I need to change to brown for the last 2 feet or so or will grey be ok throughout.

Thanks

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Grey is fine throughout, its using brown above ground that is the issue, as brown doesn't have inbuilt protection against UV from the sun degrading the plastic. Brown is cheaper however, due to not having the aforementioned protection.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Thanks for your help I'll crack on and get it replaced.

JohnD · 2 May 2016

Hugh Jaleak said:
Grey is fine throughout, its using brown above ground that is the issue, as brown doesn't have inbuilt protection against UV from the sun degrading the plastic.

Well! I didn't know that! I remember long ago telling someone that brown was used below ground and grey above, he came back and told me the builders merchant had never heard of such a thing.

I just had the idea the brown was to match salt-glazed clay pipes for easy recognition, and that it was not a services duct.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

You've lost me?

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Brown will fade and go brittle very quickly John, the above ground grades will eventually but last a lot longer. Some manufacturers recommend external pipework is painted with gloss type paints to protect the plastic from the UV in sunlight, but then uPVC windows, doors and fascia products are promoted as 'never need to paint again'! The mind boggles!

Polypropylene products are also subject to UV damage, seeing quite a lot of push fit waste pipework installed 30-40 years ago now disintegrating as a result of sun damage.

Hugh Jaleak · 2 May 2016

Steve, ignore us. You'll be fine.

Basically what we're saying is the golden brown underground plastic pipework and fittings are not suitable to be used above ground where they will be exposed to sunlight. The ultra violet rays in sunlight attack plastics over time, making them fade and go brittle, leading ultimately to their failure. The above ground plastics, (grey, white, brown and black) are treated during manufacture to have more resistance to the UV in sunlight, hence they're more expensive.

Steveshouse · 2 May 2016

Thanks

Nige F · 2 May 2016

How deep is it to the channel @ the bottom of the chamber from the lid?

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Re-locating toilet

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