Moving toilet cistern

!lsx! · 1 Mar 2021

Hi

So I'm prepping the bathroom ready for it being brought into the 21st century in the summer.

When they installed the current toilet, they chopped into the window cill and squared it off. The cistern was then secured to the squared off section of the window cill.

The new toilet will fit under the window cill height so I'm going to have to replace the cill. I also need to do some other work around the window. So am thinking of moving the current cistern down a couple of inches to allow me access. The dynamics of the window are that I'll need to slide the cill out to replace.

If I move the cistern obviously I'll need to resecure it and replumb the inlet and overflow, but what impact would moving the cistern lower have on how the toilet works? The missus thinks I should replace the cistern with a cheap plastic one to make it easier, but it's only to got to last a few months in a lower position.

HERTS P&D · 1 Mar 2021

Are you get a new toilet or re-using the one you have?

Andy

!lsx! · 1 Mar 2021

In June I'll have a new toilet, it's the old one I would like to move the cistern down on.

HERTS P&D · 1 Mar 2021

Your post does not make sense, are you keeping your old toilet?

Andy

!lsx! · 1 Mar 2021

Okay I'll try to make sense....

The current toilet cistern is fastened to the window cill. The new toilet that will be installed in the summer will be less tall than the current one.

When the new toilet is installed, all of a sudden you'll see the window cill looking chopped and a big hole in the architrave where the current cistern lid used to fit.

Rather than fixing the cill / architrave after the new toilet is installed, I'd like to try to fix it now which means moving the existing cistern out the way. That's because once the bathroom has been done out, 'psychologically' I don't want anything else to sort.

denso13 · 1 Mar 2021

lsx said:
but what impact would moving the cistern lower have on how the toilet works?

A bit less pressure when flushing (water in to the pan) but as it will be the same height as your new WC it shouldn't make a lot of difference.

!lsx! · 1 Mar 2021

The reason for me asking is that... I would have thought that if it made no difference the guys would just have installed it below the cill in the first place.

But your answer has made a light come on. Possibly fastening to the window cill was the easy option compared to fastening into the brick.

In the same room I found some dodgy plaster and took it off to find bricks had been replaced with brick-shaped pieces of timber. I assume this was one way of fastening into walls before wall plugs were invented!?

denso13 · 1 Mar 2021

lsx said:
The reason for me asking is I would have thought if it made no difference the guys who installed it would have just moved it a bit lower.

It's hard to second guess why people do certain things at times.

lsx said:
I assume this was one way of fastening into walls before wall plugs were invented!?

Yes, but I've never seen them built in like bricks before.

lostinthelight · 1 Mar 2021

If your revamping the bathroom, won't a close coupled toilet work for you?

denso13 · 1 Mar 2021

lostinthelight said:
If your revamping the bathroom, won't a close coupled toilet work for you?

I think that is what is planned in a few months time.

CBW · 1 Mar 2021

You could lower it, or when nearer to, remove it and flush with a bucket.

!lsx! · 1 Mar 2021

Thanks everyone for your replies. Going to get cracking tomorrow.

I don't think I can get away flushing with a bucket for 3 months, but i reckon using a bucket will come in handy nearer the time

!lsx! · 5 Mar 2021

So I've removed the cistern, but I think it will still be in the way of the window area.

A random thought is that I could install a small cistern (something like this from SF https://www.screwfix.com/p/viva-skylo-dual-entry-concealed-cistern-7ltr/259hr) to the left of the window (see photo) and run a flush pipe from there down to the pan.

The problem I see with this is the flush pipe will need to be quite long. Is it possible to get flush pipe extensions / fittings so I can do this? The flush pipe will no doubt be 1.5" so am thinking I'd need to use 40mm pipe and somehow connect it to 1.5".

Sorry if this should be a new thread. Originally the thread was about moving the cistern down, but now it's up

lostinthelight · 5 Mar 2021

For not much more than that price you could stick a temporary bog in a box there

Hugh Jaleak · 5 Mar 2021

As above. by the time you've bought another cistern and reconfigured the pipework, a few more quid will get you a complete close coupled Toilet. Wickes Portland Toilet Pan Close Coupled Cistern & Seat | Wickes.co.uk

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Moving toilet cistern

!lsx!

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