How to remove tiled boxing to get to the cistern (dodgy bathroom install)?

[Adam]

Can you explain how you are looking at getting it done so that you do have access to everything? I have a very nicely done en suite which is tiled all over. I also always wondered about access if ever there was an issue. I think it would literally also have to be a rip the tiles out job.

Yes using one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRLl0j5wCU

Anything serviceable is accessed through the front panel. Some of the pipework is still concealed but the frame holds it all in place so it's firmly pushed in to the toilet and doesn't move around. You use them in conjunction with a wall hung toilet.

The smallest 0.82m frames are around £150 so pretty reasonable. Seems like a good solution to me.

 

[jaybee]

Yes using one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzRLl0j5wCU

Anything serviceable is accessed through the front panel. Some of the pipework is still concealed but the frame holds it all in place so it's firmly pushed in to the toilet and doesn't move around. You use them in conjunction with a wall hung toilet.

The smallest 0.82m frames are around £150 so pretty reasonable. Seems like a good solution to me.

But all that has done is provided a wall hung toilet mount which has then been panelled and tiled over again. Access is still very restricted.

 

[dlockers]

But all that has done is provided a wall hung toilet mount which has then been panelled and tiled over again. Access is still very restricted.

You only need access to components that are likely to break. In a modern toilet that is almost entirely limited to the cistern/flush mechanism. Waste pipes are permanent installations (you don't get hung up about the bit under the floorboards or under the ground do you?). Water feed can be isolated by the main water tap to the house. Modern toilets overflow into the bowl itself as well.

 

[jaybee]

You only need access to components that are likely to break. In a modern toilet that is almost entirely limited to the cistern/flush mechanism. Waste pipes are permanent installations (you don't get hung up about the bit under the floorboards or under the ground do you?). Water feed can be isolated by the main water tap to the house. Modern toilets overflow into the bowl itself as well.

Point taken. Yeah.
On ours, I think if you removed the flush button panel on our downstairs one, you would have a fairly nice sized window to get a hand in there. But on our upstairs one, the flush button is a single very small thumb button press. I see no other way into the internals without Mr Angle Grinder. Here's hoping they used good parts. If I get 5 more years I will be happy.

 

[dlockers]

Point taken. Yeah.
On ours, I think if you removed the flush button panel on our downstairs one, you would have a fairly nice sized window to get a hand in there. But on our upstairs one, the flush button is a single very small thumb button press. I see no other way into the internals without Mr Angle Grinder. Here's hoping they used good parts. If I get 5 more years I will be happy.

Yeah I buried one when I did my Mum's house at a sprightly and ignorant 18 years old. It came time to re-do the bathroom before an issue ever occurred so fingers crossed you have the same luck I did!

 

[jaybee]

Yeah I buried one when I did my Mum's house at a sprightly and ignorant 18 years old. It came time to re-do the bathroom before an issue ever occurred so fingers crossed you have the same luck I did!

Haha. It amazes me sometimes how long things last. My parents house was built in the 80s and was a fairly high end estate type group of houses, build. They still have original door latches and handles that work better than any handles and latches I've had in the 4 houses I have ever lived in. They only just replaced the original kitchen. Good quality. You look at some of the new builds and they are chucked together terribly. I guess all it takes is one cheap flush mechanism and you are in for trouble.

Perhaps some plumbers prefer to use the cheapest parts for internals to guarantee future call outs and work to replace them when they wear out?