DIY toilet pipe repair

Repairing a toilet in an apartment is not an easy task, despite the seemingly small amount of work. The lion's share of the difficulties is connected precisely with the size of the room and with the installation of plumbing fixtures and pipes in the toilet: risers, wiring, sewerage. Of course, it is better to entrust specific work to professionals, but it is quite possible to cope with cosmetic repairs without outside help. Let's find out how to make repairs in the toilet with our own hands, saving time, nerves and money, and find out where it should start.

Even a small repair of a toilet in a panel house will require a large number of different tasks. In this small room there are many different communications: piping, sewerage, heating, lighting. Replacement of the toilet itself is often required. In some cases, a defective statement for overhaul may be required.

First you need to decide on the sequence of repairs in the toilet. Renovation begins in an old house or in a new building with the development of design and calculation of the necessary materials. It is advisable to carry out further stages of repair in the following order:

• removing old coatings from ceilings and walls;
• replacement of heating risers and sewerage pipes, installation of toilet installations;
• replacement of wiring (if necessary);
• room cleaning;
• preparation of the floor, pouring the screed, laying the floor covering;
• installation of wall coverings (wallpaper, tiles, panels);
• if necessary - assembly of a sanitary cabinet;
• installation of a toilet bowl;
• installation of a new door.

Even the most modest toilet renovation takes a lot of time and requires a significant investment, since plumbing is expensive. The most inexpensive repair option in the toilet is a simple cosmetic one, when the drain or wiring is not changed, but only the ceiling and walls are refreshed.

Quite often, the toilet is a tiny room in which, as they say, you cannot turn around. In the houses of the 137th series, the toilet, in which, in addition to the riser and pipes, a ventilation shaft is also located, is so small that there is practically no free space between the toilet bowl and the door. Within such a small space, the development of a design before starting repairs requires a special approach. When thinking over the interior of the toilet, it is necessary to take into account some important nuances.

• The central object of the toilet is the toilet. First of all, it should be comfortable. Snow-white sanitary ware looks best, although other colors can be chosen. The main thing is that it fits the general interior.

• A great option for a small room is a built-in toilet. This is a practical solution: the tank and sewer pipes are removed into the plumbing cabinet, dirt, dust and microbes do not accumulate on them. Cleaning becomes much easier. In addition, the toilet in the installation moves a few centimeters deeper into the toilet, which makes staying in a small room more comfortable.
• Most often, heating pipes and water meters are installed in the toilet. It is also recommended to sew them into a beautiful sanitary cabinet. The interior will only benefit from this. Opposite the meters and taps, a hinged hatch should be provided so that at any time you can turn off the water or see the readings.

It is recommended to decorate a small toilet in light colors, as they visually increase the space. At the same time, it is better to choose a dark color for the floor.

If you are tired of standard solutions, you can search for ideas on the Internet and create an unusual toilet interior in a new building.An interesting option is shown in the following photo.

You can decorate the toilet with wallpaper or paint the walls in an unusual way, but you should avoid aggressive tones or excessive variegation.

A black and white toilet will look stylish and non-standard, especially if you choose high-tech black plumbing.

The load on the toilet room is quite specific. There is often high humidity, pollution and unpleasant odors. Therefore, the toilet should be used finishing materials that do not absorb odors and dirt, resistant to high levels of humidity, easy to clean.

For the repair and leveling of the floor surface in the toilet, it will be advisable to use self-leveling floors. The mixture must be cement-based. For decoration, it is advisable to use porcelain stoneware tiles.

To level the walls of the toilet in a new building, you can use drywall, but only its moisture-resistant modification (the distinguishing feature is the green color of the sheets). For the frame, aluminum profiles are recommended, since the tree quickly rots from dampness and is affected by a fungus. You can glue tiles, paint or wallpaper on drywall.

When repairing a small toilet in an old building, this leveling method is inappropriate, since the already cramped space will decrease due to the crate. The walls can be plastered or using a glue method for installing gypsum board.

Important! Before applying the finish, a layer of plaster must be treated with deep penetration impregnation in order to protect it from the harmful effects of dampness.

The choice of finishing materials for walls is wide enough:

• Tile. It is worth giving preference to the kaolion-based material (it is white on the back).
• Porcelain stoneware.
• Dye. The best choice is an easy-washable latex compound.
• Washable wallpaper. They should be based on polyester or propylene, paper wallpapers in the toilet quickly deteriorate.
• PVC panels. Suitable for "economy" type repairs.

The ceiling surface can be painted or a stretch ceiling made of PVC film can be installed, which will help prevent damage to the finish in the event of a leak from the neighbors on top.

The doors to the bathroom can be both standard and smaller, as in the houses of the 137 series. And this creates a lot of problems for the owners, since it can be problematic to find such a canvas. Only one recommendation can be given here - the door should be deaf.

When all questions on materials have been resolved and a design has been selected, you can begin the repair process. Where to start renovating a toilet? From dismantling old materials: removing the toilet, removing coverings, wallpaper, removing garbage, etc.

Repairing a toilet in a new building is easier: there is no need to change pipes, dismantle the old finish.

The next stage of the renovation is the installation of a new sewerage system. Now they use plastic. It is much lighter and cheaper, but not inferior in strength to traditional materials. When buying any plumbing kits, you need to check if all the rubber gaskets are in place. If they are not enough, there may be problems with the sealing of the joints.

Then they change pipes and wiring. Risers are now also made of polypropylene. They must be firmly attached to the wall, especially a hot water pipe, since they can deform under the influence of high temperatures. With the economy option, the pipes are not touched, since the price of repairs from this significantly increases. If the toilet is suspended, the installation is installed at this stage of the repair.

When doing electrical wiring in the toilet in a new building, you need to remember that the wires must be hidden in a special corrugation, and the junction boxes and wire connections must be taken out of this room.

Another point is ventilation. Often it turns out to be clogged, so it is necessary to clean it and close it with a special grill.

For efficient ventilation, it is advisable to equip a forced draft.

The repair is being completed by installing a toilet bowl and assembling a plumbing cabinet.

Knowing how to make repairs in the toilet and what kind of work you have to do, you just have to decide whether you can do everything yourself or whether it is better to entrust some of the work to professional craftsmen.

The cost of redecorating a turnkey toilet in Moscow ranges from 14-25 thousand rubles, in St. Petersburg such repairs will cost 10-22 thousand rubles. The price for overhaul with replacement of pipes starts from 35 thousand rubles.

You can save money by doing some of the work yourself, for example, dismantle the old coating, make a screed, etc. If you have no experience in performing any operations, you can watch training videos, look through photos in search of inspiration.

When renovating toilets, the question always arises of how to hide the pipes in the toilet. After all, the look of the pipeline gives the impression of "eternal" repair. The building materials market offers many types of finishing materials that are capable of disguising a technical unit.

The masking of the water supply and sewerage system should be such that access to valves and meters is convenient. In the event of a breakdown, the camouflage structure must provide access to the main components. Many owners have the question of how to hide the pipes in the toilet, and, most importantly, with what. There are three design options for decorating the pipeline.

One of the simplest designs. Plasterboard or plastic is useful for sheathing pipes. This method is quite simple: it is enough to purchase a sheet of drywall, preferably moisture resistant. The cost of one sheet is about 4.5 dollars. In addition to the gypsum board, you will need a profile. It can be made of wood or metal. Better to choose a metal profile. It is of two types:

1. Guide. They form a contour and are attached at 4 corners, at a distance of at least 10 cm from the pipes.
2. Wall. Serve to strengthen the structure.

Plasterboard box with inspection hatch

If the height of the box is less than a meter, then you can do without them. After installing the frame, the drywall sheet is attached to it with self-tapping screws.

Such a box can be tiled and made invisible. The cost of creating a GKL box will be slightly higher than sheathing with plastic panels.

The principle of building a box from plastic panels is the same as from gypsum board. In short, it is very simple to close the pipes in the toilet with plastic panels:

1. It is necessary to install the frame around the perimeter at a distance of 5-10 cm from the pipes.
2. If the height of the box is more than two meters, it is worth reinforcing the structure with a transverse profile or wooden bars.
3. Cover with PVC panels. A square meter of such material will cost about $ 5 on average.

The method is quite simple and inexpensive, but due to the lack of space, it can be very difficult to correctly install the box.

Concealed tiled inspection hatch

A useful cabinet that will not only cover the pipes in the toilet, but also leave space for storing cleaning products. It is very popular with apartment owners. Such a cabinet can be built from the same drywall. Laminated boards, ordinary edged boards are suitable as a cheap option. The frame is usually wooden, it is sheathed with the necessary material. Various locker options do not require large cash investments. The area under the cabinet is often hidden with plywood, gypsum board or laminated board. All that remains is to select and attach the doors.

Such a screen requires technological holes for a hose for supplying water. The advantage of this method is its functionality, because the sanitary cabinet not only hides pipes, but also serves as a place for storing toilet utensils. In addition, you can close the pipes with roller shutters or buy ready-made doors for sanitary cabinets - these options are also quite popular.

Hinged doors for sanitary cabinet

Furniture fronts for a sanitary cabinet

Doors like a wardrobe are also suitable to hide pipes in the toilet.

Blinds in the toilet are the best option for those who do not want to mess with drywall and build various structures. This option is suitable for small bathrooms. It is much easier to close communications with blinds, but its cost is 2-3 times higher than the cost of a box or a sanitary cabinet. Conventional blinds can be made from floor to ceiling. Installation of blinds takes little time and leaves practically no debris.

When choosing a method of masking communications, determine the possibility of installing a particular structure in your toilet. To avoid pipe breakage, before installing the camouflage structure, it is worth checking all connections for leaks.

The article is addressed to those who are going to repair the toilet with their own hands, but have no experience. I will tell you about the most popular and affordable finishes and offer a step-by-step algorithm for working. You just need to follow my recommendations to get a quality result.

The photo shows an example of how you can carry out the work yourself

Even in a small area, you can create a comfortable and attractive environment.

Repairing a toilet is both simple and complex. Simple because the volume of work is small due to the small area, and difficult for the reason that, due to lack of space, you need to think carefully about everything.

All work can be broken down into 10 stages:

1. Development of the future interior;
2. Purchase of the necessary materials and tools;
3. Dismantling of old plumbing and decoration;
4. Replacement of communications and laying of new ones (if necessary);
5. Construction of a box for masking pipes;
6. Floor covering device;
7. Wall decoration;
8. Ceiling decoration;
9. Installation of plumbing and other equipment;
10. Door installation.

To get a neat bathroom, you will have to carry out a number of works

You do not need to think about where to start work, since first of all you need to think over the layout and decoration.

To do this, you need to do the following:

• Measure the area at your disposal. This is the main aspect that determines what you can deliver and how to arrange the elements.... Unfortunately, most often there is very little space and you have to adapt to the circumstances, and not come up with interesting solutions;
• Determine what equipment will be installed. If there is very little space, then most often only the toilet is placed. If there is more space, then you can add a washbasin, bidet or even a urinal, it all depends on your wishes;

Equipment installation standards: from the center of the toilet bowl to the wall should be at least 40 cm, the sink should be located at a distance of at least 30 cm;

It is important to position the plumbing correctly

• A wall-hung toilet can be an excellent solution. It does not take up space on the floor, but a metal frame will have to be attached to the wall, which will take about 10 cm of space. This option looks very attractive, but in installation it is much more difficult, this also needs to be taken into account;

Wall hung toilet - an interesting solution for small spaces

• The color scheme should be in soothing colors. You should not use bright colors and variegated finishes, it does not look the best in the bathroom. You can look at design ideas on the Internet, there are a lot of examples, and anyone will find an option to their liking.

There are many options, find the one that you like and which you can implement

After you have decided on an approximate design, you can proceed to the selection and purchase of materials. You must measure the area of ​​the floor, ceiling and walls in advance in order to quickly calculate the approximate costs for one or another finishing option.

First, let's figure out what you can put on the floor:

• Ceramic tiles are the most popular solution.There are a huge number of types on sale, so there will be no problems with the choice. If you need a cheap option, then I will give you a little advice: look for substandard in stores, it is inexpensive, and due to the small volume, you can choose good ceramics. Most often, the marriage is not visible, but you can save very well;

The tile is a great solution, the material looks good and is not afraid of moisture and cleaning agents

• Self-leveling floor is a relatively new solution that is great for a bathroom. The coating is not cheap, but due to the fact that the floor space is small, the cost of installing it will be only slightly higher than when using ceramics. In addition, this option can be implemented with your own hands, which is also important.

Such coatings can simulate a wide variety of images.

For walls, you can use the following options:

• Ceramic tile. You can create patterns or even ceramic paintings on the walls. For the most discerning, a mosaic is suitable, a very effective, but also quite expensive coating;

Tiles are great for walls too

• Budget finishing option - PVC panels. They cost a little, but they also look much worse than the same tile. But if you need to do it cheaply and reliably, then this decision will come in handy;

PVC panels are good for toilets

• You can even stick wallpaper on the walls. You need to choose moisture resistant options. I would recommend using glass fiber as it can be repainted. That is, you can easily carry out cosmetic repairs and refresh the room in the future, simply by changing the color of the walls.

Wallpaper allows you to create a very original setting.

As for the ceiling, it is easiest to implement one of two options with your own hands:

• Fastening of plastic panels. They look good on the ceiling and are inexpensive. You can choose a more expensive option - rack metal ceilings. They look presentable and are almost indistinguishable from plastic in installation;

This option looks good.

• You can just putty the surface and paint it. If the ceiling is curved, then it is easier to build a frame and fix moisture-resistant drywall... So you get an even base, which must be putty with a thin layer and painted.

The color of the ceiling is matched to the rest of the finish

As for the tool, its list depends on the selected materials for finishing. Below I will provide a list of fixtures where necessary.

It is worth starting work by removing everything unnecessary. The process is simple, but it requires a lot of effort and a significant investment of time.

The sequence of work is as follows:

• First of all, old plumbing is removed. Most often, you just need to remove the corrugation from the toilet. If you have old equipment, you will have to break up the cement that used to strengthen the joints;

You can temporarily put a new toilet in order to use the bathroom

• The floor is usually covered with old tiles, which are very firmly in place. You can knock it down with a hammer and chisel, or with a puncher. The process is dusty and noisy, so it is better to work during the day;

Removing old tiles is a tedious job

• If there are tiles on the walls, then they are removed in the same way as from the floor. If the surface is covered with wallpaper, they need to be soaked and removed. Painted surfaces do not need to be cleaned if the paint adheres to them firmly. The exception is oil formulations, they must be removed, it is best to use a special wash for work;

Everything that does not hold well is removed from the walls

• If there is whitewash on the ceiling, then it must be soaked with water and removed with a spatula. Painted surfaces are inspected, only damaged areas can be removed.

At this stage, the following works are performed:

• If the old riser does not inspire confidence, then it is advisable to replace it with a new plastic one.Most often, you have to change the section from floor to ceiling, adapters are placed on the connections, and the structure itself is easily assembled from the constituent parts of the configuration you need;

The riser is attached to special clamps

• If you need to lay pipes around the room, then it is best to hide them in the grooves.... Communication may be needed if you put a sink and bidet or bought a toilet with a bidet. It is important to think about the correct pin layout so that everything is convenient. Even if it is not necessary to lay pipes in new places, it is advisable to replace the old steel communications with new plastic ones;

It is better to hide the pipes in the wall

• Do not forget about laying the wiring to the fixtures and the fan, if any. It is also better to hide them in grooves.

To hide the sewer pipes, you need to build a box. If the riser goes in the corner, then only this part of the room is closed, and if in the middle, then it is easier to make a partition and sew up the entire space behind the toilet.

The instructions for carrying out the work are simple:

• For the frame, we will use metal plasterboard profiles. Guiding elements are attached along the walls, and the structure is formed by the main profile;
• First, the structure is marked, vertical lines are drawn along the walls using a level or plumb line, the outlines of the future box are drawn on the floor and ceiling;

For accurate marking, you can use a square.

• A wall profile is fixed along the perimeter of the future structure. To do this, holes are drilled in the walls for fast mounting dowels with a diameter of 6 mm;

Guiding elements define the outline of the future structure

• Then the frame is attached, for this, the main profiles are used. To give the structure rigidity, it is reinforced with ribs, which are located every 40-50 cm;

The frame must be rigid

• The last step is to mount the moisture-resistant drywall. It is cut into pieces of the required size and fixed with special self-tapping screws with a fine pitch.

When carrying out the cladding, do not forget to leave an opening for the installation of the door to check the condition of the equipment and take readings from the meters.

The hatch will be inserted after finishing

We will start from this part of the room. First, let's figure out how a ceramic floor is made. To work, we need a certain set of materials and tools, listed in the table.

It is difficult to disagree with the fact that communications in the bathroom are not the most pleasant sight. No matter how expensive pipes with valves are, they are able to decorate only a specific interior such as a loft. If you are not among the adherents of industrial design, then there is a strong desire to hide these networks, right?

The author of the article presented for consideration describes in great detail how to close the pipes in the toilet. Describes in detail the popular options for masking communications, gives technical nuances and ways to implement interesting ideas.

Here you will find valuable information on proven methods for constructing camouflage structures. Find out how you can hide, leaving access for regular and emergency maintenance. The text is supplemented with helpful visual annexes and video tutorials.

The issue of pipe camouflage concerns both budget housing and luxury apartments. The difference lies in the methods of terminating communications. If in a 15-meter combined bathroom it is possible to sew up all the walls with false panels, then every centimeter is important on a 2 m² patch, therefore, after repair, the inner space of the toilet often takes on unthinkable shapes.

In typical housing, everything is simple: a common sewer riser runs in the corner of the room, and centralized water supply pipes are installed parallel to it. Intra-apartment communications from pipes of a smaller diameter are connected to them. Thus, both the vertical riser and the horizontally laid branches need masking.

Difficulties arise when, instead of a couple of branches, you have to hide water metering devices that require regular access, filters, collectors, etc. Simple boxes are not enough here, you have to attach partitions to the load-bearing walls or build structures that resemble screens.

In a private house, everything is easier if you take care of masking communications even before the implementation of the project. Some of the pipes can be hidden in the walls, and technical hatches can be created for important nodes. Filters and metering devices are installed in a specially designated room (along with a pump and other equipment responsible for water supply at home).

In high-rise buildings, no one will allow the walls to be channeled under the pipes, and the characteristics of the walls are not suitable for even partial destruction. What remains is the outdoor decor, with the options for which we will take a closer look.

The choice of the method depends on several factors: the size and direction of the pipelines, their location relative to each other, the availability of additional devices, etc. How to hide sewer and water pipes in a toilet is also influenced by interior design features. Suppose blinds do not go well with the classics, but they are suitable for minimalism.

The choice remains with the homeowners, and a description of how to mask pipes is below.

Despite some difficulties in the construction of structures on the frame, even beginners can safely undertake the construction of the box. Their solution is quite understandable: saving the family budget and the availability of photo and video installation instructions.

What is the difference between drywall and plastic boxes? The difference is fundamental: in the first case, you create the basis for further decoration, in the second, you get the finished product right away. Consequently, it is easier, cheaper and faster to create boxes from plastic panels. But this is possible only if the walls in the toilet are also faced with plastic (of the same type) or, in extreme cases, painted in the color of the panels.

Installation instructions for the plastic box:

1. Checking the performance of communications. It is necessary in order to provide for the repair of pipes, which is usually accompanied by the dismantling of structures. The main task is to check connections, nodes, instrument performance.
2. Wall and ceiling treatment. It is produced with an antiseptic solution to prevent the appearance of mold and mildew (an enclosed space with a high level of humidity and insufficient ventilation is a risk zone).
3. Creation of the lathing. It is carried out on all walls or in the areas of passage of communications. If you need a box for masking a riser - the construction of a frame. For this, both wooden slats (bars) and a metal profile designed for drywall are suitable.
4. Installation of plastic panels. The set of parts is fast, the main thing is to fix each in its place. Small nails are used for fastening. Small gaps at the joints and in the corners can be covered with special decorative strips or inserts.

A plastic hatch does not need to be cut and processed; it is better to purchase a ready-made model in the form of a door. It will still be noticeable, so we recommend installing a larger model to make it easier to service the devices. If the installation of a toilet paper holder is planned, at the stage of building the frame, a mortgage must be attached to the desired place - a wooden block.

The first stage is preparatory. Materials must be purchased in advance, and you also need to choose a tool for the job. To trim a metal profile, you will need metal scissors, for cutting wooden parts, a hacksaw or jigsaw. You also need a hammer drill and a screwdriver to fix the parts on the wall with dowels and self-tapping screws. Wood processing is done with a brush.

Mandatory elements for the construction of a structure:

It is enough to arm yourself with some special knowledge in order to learn how to independently repair sewer pipes in an apartment, quickly solving problems associated with the functioning of the sewage system.

Modern sewerage is a rather complex technical complex, the task of which is to remove wastewater from an apartment, and then from a high-rise building, which is formed in considerable quantities during the life of each person. In any apartment today, apart from a toilet and a sink in the kitchen, there is a lot of other equipment connected to the sewer network.

The individual elements of such a network are connected together, naturally, as a result, a very intricate pipe system is obtained, which simply cannot work absolutely without disruptions and various minor problems.

Moreover, a malfunction can suddenly appear in absolutely any part of the pipeline. Most often, urgent repairs to a cast-iron sewer pipe (or plastic) are required due to the following malfunctions:

• the appearance of unpleasant odors from the elements of the sewer network, indicating that this or that pipe has cracked or a serious blockage has formed in it;
• the appearance of smudges at the joints of pipe products;
• blockage of the pipe.

The last malfunction in domestic sewers is extremely rare, but, nevertheless, such a misfortune also happens. The blockage is usually found in siphons located under sinks and sinks. A variety of debris can accumulate in these pipeline nodes, which can be removed without much repair work, simply using a plunger: a couple of confident movements with such a simple plumbing fixture, and the blockage will disappear. The main thing is not to forget to rinse the cleaned sewer pipe abundantly with a large volume of water.

In cases where the sink is equipped with a special hole that protects it from excessive filling (overflow), before using the plunger, be sure to close this overflow. If you do not do this, you will drive air through the pipes and nothing more, the blockage will not go anywhere.

You can also use the plunger when the toilet is clogged in your apartment. Here, however, it is worth saying that he does not always help. Perhaps, the effect of the plunger will not be, but it is worth trying to apply it. If there are no results (the blockage remains in place), you should try to break through the toilet pipe using chemicals. If they do not help, you will have to use a special cable for cleaning, and sometimes (with really difficult blockages) and call professionals with special equipment.

In situations where a leak is detected at the pipe inlet, the problem can be corrected quite simply:

• sealing the entrance;
• pulling up the connection;
• replacing the gasket.

Typically, kitchen sinks, washbasins in bathrooms and bathroom sinks are leaking. In this case, in most cases, leaks are caused by inaccurate connections at the transition points of the pipe and the siphon or the drain hole of the sanitary equipment and the siphon.

Repair measures are more difficult when leaks begin to form at the joints of cast iron pipe structures. In such a situation, the repair of cast-iron sewer pipes will require quite a lot of effort from a person. Depending on the type of pipe connection (cement or lead), the leak is eliminated in two different ways.

If the joints of the pipeline, which began to leak, are interconnected with cement, the repair of the sewer pipes in the apartment is carried out as follows:

• the old cement mortar is broken up with a chisel and hammer, and then removed;
• the joint is thoroughly cleaned of packing residues;
• a new packing is applied, a sealant is placed in it;
• a new solution is being prepared (one part of water is taken for ten parts of cement), which must be carefully and reliably sealed up the joint.

Experts recommend using a special mixture for processing the strands of the sealant. It is prepared from seven parts of cement and three parts of asbestos. These components are mixed with each other, and then water is added to them until a plasticine consistency of the composition is obtained. A sealing layer treated with such a mixture will perform its function many times more efficiently.

With a lead connection of the elements of the sewer network, the repair is carried out as follows:

• the joint is cleaned as thoroughly as possible;
• with the help of a chisel, new lead cones are placed into the gap (the procedure is not as laborious as it might seem at first glance, since lead is a soft material in its structure).