Pros and Cons of a Wall-Mounted Toilet

If you’re building a new home or getting ready to remodel your existing bathroom, you may be looking at the different options that are available to you. While it’s normally not the centerpiece, a toilet is an integral part of any bathroom. Depending on the look you want to create, you might consider installing a wall-mounted toilet.

Are you wondering whether a wall-mounted toilet could benefit your space? Learn more about how they work along with the advantages and possible disadvantages of installing one.

What Is a Wall-Mounted Toilet?

A wall-mounted toilet fixes a toilet bowl directly to the wall with its tank installed inside the wall. As a result, wall-mounted toilets take up less space than traditional fixtures. They offer a modern look and are easier to clean.

The tank of a wall-mounted toilet comprises lightweight plastic and plastic foam, which is cradled within the wall in a cast-iron or steel carrier for support. The toilet bowl is attached and anchored through the drywall to the carrier.

The wall-mounted toilet design is most common within European homes but has begun to make its way into North American design.

Pros of a Wall-Mounted Toilet

Wall-mounted toilets are generally more widely used in Europe than in the United States. Nevertheless, wall-mounted units are gaining popularity among people who want their bathrooms to have cleaner, sleeker lines.

In addition to giving your bathroom cleaner lines, installing a wall-mounted toilet instead of a traditional toilet can provide the following benefits:

More floor space: A wall-mounted toilet is what its name implies — a toilet attached to a wall. Because this type of toilet hangs from a wall instead of sitting on the floor, it will occupy none of your bathroom’s floor space. This will give your bathroom a more spacious and roomy look and feel.
Concealed tank: A wall-mounted toilet’s water tank is concealed in your wall, which helps make your bathroom appear even bigger.
Comfortable seating: One of the biggest pros to installing a wall-mounted toilet is that you can hang it at the most comfortable height. Whether you’re tall, short or somewhere in between, being able to customize the position of your toilet makes wall-mounted units attractive to many homeowners.
Strain-free cleaning: It’s typically easier to clean the area around a wall-mounted toilet because you don’t have to bend or contort your body. Since they don’t sit on the floor, you can easily mop the floor underneath a wall-mounted unit without straining your back.
Space efficiency: Because they are compact, wall-mounted toilets offer more flexibility in your bathroom. By moving the tank into the wall, wall-mounted toilets can save up to 10 inches with further height adjustment.
Modern aesthetic: Wall-mounted toilets offer a more modern look in a bathroom, keeping the tank out of sight for a clean, uncluttered view.

Cons of a Wall-Mounted Toilet

While there are some clear advantages to installing a wall-mounted toilet, there are also some drawbacks you should consider carefully. These potential pitfalls include:

Difficult installation: Installing a wall-mounted toilet is usually more difficult than installing a conventional toilet. In general, you’ll have to remove drywall and reinforce the wall you’re going to attach the toilet to. If you fail to reinforce the wall sufficiently, it may collapse as your wall-mounted toilet is used over time.
Concealed tank: Although a wall-mounted toilet’s concealed tank can improve the appearance of your bathroom, its position behind the wall can make it difficult to perform repairs. If your unit doesn’t have an access panel, you may have to remove a portion of your wall to fix your toilet when necessary.
Adjustments required: As you use your toilet, you’ll exert pressure on its wall mount. This can cause your wall-mounted toilet to become loose with repeated use. Even a properly installed toilet is likely to need adjustment as time goes by.
Increased expense: Retailers view wall-mounted toilets as specialty items, which typically makes them more expensive to buy than more traditional toilets. Wall-mounted toilets often have high-tech features such as automated lids and illuminated bowls. These additional features may occasionally call for repairs that can make it more expensive to maintain your wall-mounted toilet.
Weight limit: A typical wall-mounted toilet has a maximum weight limit of 500 pounds. Some more robust models can hold up to 800 pounds.
Challenging repairs: While eliminating the view of the tank can create more room in your bathroom, it may make repairs trickier. A plumber can open the panel to fix minor problems. If the flapper or toilet float malfunctions, you may risk having to open the wall again to access the tank.

Wall-Mounted Toilets vs. Floor-Mounted Toilets

Looking for a toilet fixture may seem simple, but there are many small parts to consider when finding the perfect fit for your bathroom. These days, toilets can come in all shapes, sizes and colors with different internal factors, flush styles and drain sizes. Deciding whether you want a wall- or floor-mounted toilet is a reasonable first step.

In contrast to a wall-mounted toilet, a floor-mounted toilet is fully attached to the floor with the tank exposed. These toilets are more common in the market and are easy to install. Their parts are readily available, and any repairs are simpler to maintain. While the overall cost of these toilets is cheaper, they take up more space, cannot be raised or lowered, and tend to harbor more bacteria and the potential for mold.

While the wall-mounted toilet also comes with its disadvantages, its advantages tend to outweigh them. Wall-mounted toilets are adjustable and do not rely on floor height, making them more accessible for older adults or those with differing abilities. Additionally, their floating style makes them much easier to clean. There is no base to collect bacteria.

Contact Mr. Rooter of Oneida

If you’re trying to decide what kind of toilet to use in your home build or renovation, contact Mr. Rooter of Oneida to talk to a licensed plumber who is certified by Onondaga County for plumbing leak detection or any plumbing-related project. We’ll discuss your project with you and help you choose the toilet that will be the perfect addition to your bathroom. Give us a call today.