Who would have thought that the humble loo could be so complicated or have so many options. Most people don’t realise that when selecting a new toilet there is quite a lot to consider, in most cases, people think oh yeah I like the look of that one. Well, think again!
During the many years, I spent working for a major plumbing supply company I had many customers come into the showroom and say I just need to get a new toilet and I like that one. Then I would ask the questions. Do you need an s or p trap? What is the set-out? What water inlet do you require? Would you like a close-coupled, back-to-wall, rimless, concealed cistern? Needless to say in most cases those questions were met with a look of confusion.
Of course, when doing a full renovation the plumbing can in most cases be altered to suit the toilet you have chosen, but even if it is going back in the same position there still could be quite a lot of plumbing modifications required to make it work.
So let's explain some of the most common toilet talk:
The Boring Stuff First
Traps & Water Inlet
Some of the most often used terms when talking about toilets from a plumbing point of view refer to the waste pipe. For example, an S Trap which is as described in the shape of the letter S and goes out through the floor or a P Trap which again is in the shape of the letter P and goes out through the wall, both the S & P are the most common. However, there are other types of traps such as a Universal Trap or Skew Trap, the type required depends on where it connects to the sewer waste pipe.
Also, the water inlet which is either a back inlet that connects to the water directly through the back of the cistern or the bottom inlet which connects through the base of the cistern with the hose and tap exposed.
S Trap
P Trap
Uni Trap
Skew Trap
The Fun Part - Looks & Function
Back to Wall (or Wall Faced)
These toilets are the most popular type of toilet. The back of the toilet sits flush against the wall which makes for easy cleaning. Having no gap between the pan and the wall helps to keep the toilet and surrounding area hygienic. The look is seamless and modern.
Close Coupled
A close coupled toilet suite means that the pan and cistern are joined together so you cannot see the flush pipe. They have a more traditional look. Close coupled suites are used less these days since back-to-wall suites have become more popular and cost-effective.
In Wall (or Concealed)
The cistern is hidden inside the wall cavity only leaving the pan and buttons visible. This type of toilet is excellent for small spaces. They have a very modern look, the pan can be wall hung or floor mounted. The buttons and plate come in a range of colours which provides a cohesive look for those bathrooms with black or gold tapware and fittings for example.
Rimless
The rimless toilets are relatively new but are becoming increasingly popular, especially as more manufacturers are adding rimless to their range which is bringing the cost down. They have minimal to no rim on the inside of the pan when flushed the water circulates around the pan which increases cleanliness and hygiene.
