You have a progressive new client who knows his mind. He’s a cosmopolitan type who wants a home that reflects his minimalist lifestyle, even in the bathroom. If you’d love to suggest wall-hung bathroom fixtures but have never installed them before, we’re here to demystify the process for you. Preparing for a wall-hung toilet installation is as easy as gathering facts, answering questions, and explaining the benefits to your client.
What to Know Before Committing to a Wall-Hung Toilet Installation
Before sending your client to shop for finishes, gather a few details. How the bathroom will fit into the overall design of the home, color and material schemes, and which fixtures they’d like to include are important. But some construction details are necessary, too.
The secret to a wall-mount toilet is the steel-framed toilet carrier system that holds the water tank and all the mechanical parts. This system supports the weight of the bowl and is secured between the wall studs.
During the design phase, remember that the carrier selection, seat height, and the choice of flush plate (also called a flush actuator) are interdependent and should be designed to go together. Each carrier model has different framing requirements, and these depend on the wall construction (wood framing, metal framing, or block wall) and stud depth (2x4 or 2x6). Finally, the wall materials and the thickness of the finished wall need to be kept in mind when choosing an actuator.
For a bathroom renovation where you’re planning to retrofit from a standard toilet, plan to modify the drain-waste-vent layout to accommodate the carrier system. For more detailed planning, reference Geberit’s Planning Guide for Installation Systems.
Questions Your Client Will Have About Wall-Hung Toilet Installation
Many homeowners want to know about maintenance. The Geberit valve eliminates chains and flappers that get tangled or twisted and fail over time. Any parts that might need maintenance are accessible through the removable flush plate (no tools required!), and in the unlikely event that replacement parts are needed, Geberit guarantees parts availability for 25 years.
When properly installed, a wall-mount toilet will not sag or damage the wall. The steel-framed Geberit in-wall carrier system for a wall-mount toilet will hold up to 880 pounds.
Your client will almost certainly ask if the tank is likely to “sweat” or leak inside the wall. In some homes, the difference between water and ambient temperatures causes condensation to form on a traditional toilet tank. The Geberit in-wall toilet tank is insulated to protect against sweating. It’s also made of a single, seamless piece of plastic, similar to the gasoline tank in your car, that’s guaranteed not to leak.
If these or any other questions arise, you can assure your customers that Geberit combines excellent products with world-class service. And for the contractor, prompt and attentive technical support is always available.
The Benefits of Installing Wall-Hung Toilets
If your client needs ADA-compliant accommodations, the wall-hung toilet with its hidden tank provides an extra 9 to 12 inches of linear floor space. The adjustable-height carrier allows you to position the bowl so that the seat height is anywhere between 15 and 19 inches off the floor, wherever it’s comfortable for them. A wall-hung toilet makes it easy to meet ADA requirements or homeowner preferences.
The added space is ideal and gives you more design flexibility, especially for small water closets, powder rooms, or the minuscule baths found in efficiency apartments and tiny homes. The dual-flush option saves more water than a standard water-saving toilet. And, installing a wall-mount toilet may qualify the homeowner for EPA WaterSense rebates or green building points.
Wall-hung toilets are also easier to clean. Mopping the floor under and around them is as easy as a swoosh and a swipe, without bending or kneeling. They’re perfect for the “wet room” style of bath with an open shower and give a more spacious feel than standard fixtures.
And for that cosmopolitan client with specific design requirements? Over twelve plumbing fixture manufacturers offer more than 175 Geberit compatible wall-hung toilets in all shapes and sizes.
If you’re ready to take your clients into the 21st Century, don’t shy away from the unfamiliar. With a little help from Geberit, you’ll find that wall-hung bathroom fixtures don’t have to be mysterious.