Changing a toilet bowl over - Which of these are true and which are myths?

[reoreborn85]

Hi there!

I hope you don't mind me asking. We moved into a house last year and have slowly been doing it up.

We have a small cloak room with a High Level toilet (one of them with the cistern attached high on the wall and an actual chain) and we'd (Well, my wife..) Would like to keep it. However, we would like to change the bowl of the toilet as it's TINY and also scratched and chipped. I have swapped a normal toilet out before and I think i could do it again.
I went along to B&Q and was looking and we ended up speaking to one of their assistants who was either telling the truth or trying to hard sell us on a WHOLE new toilet.

She said "You can't change just the bowl on high level toilets. You'd need to change the whole system" - "It would be impossible to find a new bowl with the exact same fitting".. Is this true? I literally can't see why? She then said "You shouldn't be trying to do such a specialist type swap on your own".
We then went to Wicks and their sales person semi said the same thing but said "You can change just the bowl but it would be very very hard"
He also said due to the gravity flush you couldn't have a rimless toilet bowl.


So, i have a few questions for you experts.

1: Are you able to change just the bowl on these types of cisterns?
2: Can you have a rimless toilet bowl?
3: is it an 'expert' type DIY job/Is it any harder than a normal swap out job?
4: Can you go 'up' a side in toilet bowl without any problems with the connections/connectors.


thank you for any help you can give - J.

 

[Nige F]

could do with pics. of the connection from flush pipe to bowl

 

[Burnerman]

The distance from the outlet pipe to the wall can be an issue, often older installations are a bit further outwards.
John

 

[baldykev]

like for like no problem ,is there a name on the bowl if so go on there web site ,or use google lens may help

 

[polesapart]

The twyford classic pan is available in both horizontal outlet and S-trap versions.
Can be used with both high and low level cisterns.

 

[ree]

OP,
It would be a silly irrelevance to pic the existing "connection from flush pipe to bowl" given that you are replacing the existing WC pan.

If you want a very large pan opening then you would have to consider if the present seat would do?
Why not investigate Poster #5's suggestion.
Looking for a large, back inlet Pan would work but with the rimless condition it might be difficult to find?

The footprint of the next pan would be different to the present footprint.
If its a P-trap then the soil pipe might be too high or too low?
What does your condition #4 mean?

 

[Nige F]

OP,
It would be a silly irrelevance to pic the existing "connection from flush pipe to bowl" given that you are replacing the existing WC pan.

different pans have different connections - particularly old ones -

 

[Nige F]

you speak for the forum of experienced plumbers ?

 

[denso13]

It would be a silly irrelevance to pic the existing "connection from flush pipe to bowl" given that you are replacing the existing WC pan.

Of course it isn't, it may mean the flush pipe also needs to be replaced, depending on the existing connection, which also has implications for the flush pipe to cistern connection. It's very relevant.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I'm now showing my age, but didn't some High Level WC installs back in the day use a 'Rag and Putty joint' on the Flush Pipe to pan connection? Needs to be seen what the current setup is to give appropriate advice.

As for replacement, I'd go with the previous suggestion of the Twyford's Classic. Wont break the bank and is suitable for a High Level Flush, the issue will be connecting the Flush Pipe as already explained.

 

[ree]

Poster #9,
The forum speaks - can you hear us?

 

[ree]

Poster #10,
I'm afraid you are wrong - what precisely is left on the outlet end of the flush pipe when the pan has been removed.

 

[denso13]

Poster #10,
I'm afraid you are wrong - what precisely is left on the outlet end of the flush pipe when the pan has been removed.

Depends what the existing joint is. That's why a photo would be useful.

 

[Nige F]

I hear you all alone as usual #12 . Perhaps take some gaviscon for your acid reflux?

 

[ree]

Poster # 14,
Nope, how can the "existing joint" be relevant when the pan and the whatever kind of connector was used have been removed?
The issue is not the flush pipe but the actual connection.
IOW the present connection is irrelevant: for instance, there is nothing on the outlet end of a new flush pipe - its not weirdly shaped nor does come with an attached fitting or device.
And FWIW, as you well know, the majority of connections are made with simple internal connectors.