Understanding the different styles of toilet suites when you want to replace same for same

Take a look in your bathroom. Is it crying out to be updated? How old is the shower, the vanity, the toilet? If it's the toilet you want to update, then you'll need to understand the different types of toilet suites to make the right choice.

If the budget is tight, replace same for same. It's easy and cost-effective because the plumbing configuration and flooring won't need to be changed. As you can imagine, that can save you a lot of money.

To do this, you'll need to identify which type of toilet you already have.

Some handy tips in how to identify what type of toilet suite you have

When you're replacing same for same, there are a couple of things you need to know about the toilet you currently have to get a matching toilet.

The first thing is the inlet from the cistern. Does the water supply for the cistern enter from a high level or from a low level beneath the cistern? If it's from a high level, it's a top inlet. If it enters the cistern from down below it's a bottom inlet.

Next, is the pan outlet. Is your toilet pan an S Trap or P Trap? There's an easy way to tell. If the pan outlet goes through the floor, it's an S Trap. If it goes through the wall, then it's a P Trap.

The final thing you need to know is distance. You will need to measure from the floor or wall where the pan outlet goes out, to the centre of the waste pipe outlet on your toilet. This is called your ‘set out’ measurement.

Equipped with this information you can go to the next step in identifying the type of toilet you currently have.

Understanding the different types of toilet suites

Once you know the type of toilet you have, it'll be pretty easy finding the same. There are several types of toilets and the one you have is ost probably one of the following:

• Connector (Link) suite
• Close coupled
• Wall faced (Back to wall)
• Wall hung
• In-wall/hidden cistern  

Each toilet has a slightly different plumbing and cistern arrangement. Let’s go through them to help clarify the variations.

A snapshot of connector toilets

The first toilet we'll look at is the link or connector toilet. This is considered by some as an old-fashioned toilet.

The pan is usually sitting out from the wall at a slight distance. The cistern is screwed to the wall and there's a long flush pipe connecting the cistern to the toilet pan.

A connection plate between the toilet and the cistern conveniently conceals this flush pipe. When you've seen toilets sitting quite some distance from the wall with a connection plate to the cistern, this is the connector suite.

A snapshot of close coupled toilet suites

You've probably heard the terminology before, but never really thought about it (or wanted to think about it). Now that it's time to update your toilet, we can unpack what it means.

A close coupled suite is where the cistern is coupled directly to the toilet pan. It's a more modern look, and compared with the connector toilet, the close coupled toilet is usually closer to the wall.

Usually the outlet is concealed within the shape of the toilet pan.

Identifying the wall faced (back to wall) toilet suite

This could be the type of toilet you've heard spoken about the most when renovating. A wall faced toilet suite (also known as 'back to wall' toilet suite) is one of the most space efficient. It's also close coupled, but the pan sits flush with the wall, concealing the pipework. 

This is a big plus, when there are no ugly pipes in sight.

Renovators often choose the wall faced toilet suite because it's modern, space efficient and easy to clean.

Identifying a wall hung and in-wall cistern toilet suite

Now we're entering the territory of cutting edge design. As the name suggests, the wall hung toilet is where the pan is secured to the wall, and not touching the floor. The cistern is usually concealed. You can have it mounted within the wall (in-wall), behind the wall (in-duct), inside a cabinet or vanity unit, or in the ceiling.

When you hear the term 'In-wall cistern', it's referring specifically to the toilet suite where the cistern is concealed within the wall, and the pan is usually wall hung. However, some people use this term no matter where the cistern is concealed.

Once you've determined which type of toilet suite you have, you're ready to replace same for same.

Now you're ready to replace your old toilet suite with a brand new toilet

As you can see there are quite a few different types of toilets out there. Hopefully, now that you've identified the toilet suite you have, you can confidently replace same for same. As we mentioned earlier, it's probably the easiest and most cost-effective way to update your toilet.

Your bathroom will look newer, cleaner, fresher, and no doubt the success of this job can spur you on to updating more than just your toilet.

There are a lot of different toilet brands you can choose from. You're sure to find a match, whether it's close coupled, wall facing, or a connector toilet suite such as the Everhard Classic Connector Link Toilet 4.5/3L from Plumbing Sales.

The Plumbing Sales online store has the biggest range of toilet suites in Australia

Plumbing Sales has the largest range of plumbing supplies including a huge range of toilet suites from the leading brands.

Along with that, you get the best prices Australia-wide.

There’s also free shipping to most areas around Australia on orders over $300. 

For the best in plumbing supplies, the name you need to know is Plumbing Sales.