Choose the right toilet for your bathroom retrofit

If you want to replace your current toilet but don't want to change the plumbing, then you will need to know the "set out" and position of the water inlet. When armed with this information you can visit a bathroom showroom and an experienced sales consultant will be able to advise you on the toilets which suit your plumbing.

How to determine the "set out"
For an S trap installation (where the waste outlet is positioned on the floor) the set out is the distance measured from the finished tiled wall to the centre of the waste outlet on the floor. The set-out can vary greatly depending on the age of the house. Most new homes will have a standard set-out of about 140-165mm, which will enable most toilet suites to be installed. However, if the set-out is more that 200mm or less than 100mm, it will limit your choice in the type of toilet you can buy.

For a P trap installation (where the waste outlet is positioned on the wall) the set out is the distance measured from the finished tiled floor to the centre of the waste outlet on the wall. Generally a standard set out for a P trap installation is 185mm.

How to determine the position of the water inlet
The water inlet is the means by which the cistern is filled. You will either have a bottom inlet or a back inlet. The bottom inlet is identified by a tap placed on the wall on either the right or left hand side of the toilet under the cistern. The back inlet on the other hand connects inside the cistern.

Knowing this information before visiting a bathroom showroom will mean you can select the right toilet for your existing plumbing first time round.

Replace your toilet now and get a $200 rebate
If you currently have a single flush toilet suite, the NSW Government will give you $200 when you replace your single flush toilet suite with a dual flush toilet suite that has a WELS* rating of 4 stars or more. For more information visit http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfdft.htm

Written by Samantha Anderson for Cass Brothers Fine Bathroomware