The Critical Difference: Floor vs Wall Waste
❌ Floor Waste System
Soil pipe goes DOWN into the floor. Common in pre-1970s properties.
ONLY Compatible With:
Low Level Cistern Toilets
✅ Wall Waste System
Soil pipe goes HORIZONTALLY through the wall. Standard in modern properties.
Compatible With:
All toilet types (close-coupled, wall-hung, low level)
🔍 How to Check Your System
- Remove the toilet seat and cistern lid (if safe to do so)
- Look at the back of the toilet pan where it connects to the pipework
- If the pipe goes straight down into the floor = Floor waste system
- If the pipe goes horizontally to the wall = Wall waste system
Why Close Coupled Toilets Are Incompatible
The Engineering Problem
Wrong Angle
Close coupled toilets discharge horizontally, but floor waste needs vertical flow
Wrong Position
Waste outlet positioned for wall connection, not floor connection
Poor Performance
Forced connections result in weak flushing and potential blockages
❌ Common Costly Mistakes
- •Buying close-coupled toilets online without checking waste pipe configuration
- •Attempting to modify pipework to force unsuitable toilets to fit
- •Purchasing wall-hung toilets for floor waste systems
Your Only Option: Low Level Cistern Systems
✅ Why Low Level Cisterns Work Perfectly
Technical Compatibility
- • Designed for vertical waste connections
- • Proper waste outlet positioning
- • Efficient flush mechanism for floor systems
- • Maintains proper fall gradients
Practical Benefits
- • Reliable, powerful flushing
- • Easy maintenance access
- • Wide range of styles available
- • Cost-effective installation
Complete Range of Low Level Cistern Options
Budget-Friendly Options (£279-£500)
Tavistock Vitoria
438mm WC Pan with low level cistern
Milano Richmond
Traditional low level toilet with cistern
Quality Mid-Range Options (£498-£800)
Burlington Traditional
Standard low level traditional toilet
Twyford Classic
710mm low-level WC pan
Premium & Luxury Options (£1,200-£1,700)
Burlington Chrome Cistern
Standard low level WC with metallic cistern
Thomas Crapper 814
Cast cistern low-level WC set
💡 Professional Installation Costs
Standard Installation
From £285
Straightforward replacement
With Pipe Modifications
From £385
Minor plumbing adjustments
Complete System
From £485
New supply & waste connections
🏪Professional Supplier Network
All the WC options featured in this guide are sourced from Rosebourne Plumbing's established network of quality suppliers. We work directly with premium brands including Ideal Standard,Armitage Shanks, Burlington, and Thomas Crapper to ensure authentic products and competitive pricing for Hampshire customers.
Complete WC Collection: Styles & Aesthetic Guidance
👑Traditional Heritage Collection
Thomas Crapper 814 Cast Cistern
The ultimate heritage piece - cast iron cistern with ceramic pan
Perfect For:
- • Listed buildings & period properties
- • Victorian/Edwardian homes in Winchester
- • Heritage restoration projects
- • Luxury traditional bathrooms
Burlington Traditional Standard
Classic traditional styling with standard WC pan
Perfect For:
- • Traditional Hampshire cottage renovations
- • Downstairs WCs in period homes
- • Maintaining character in older properties
- • Quality on moderate budgets
Milano Richmond
Budget-friendly traditional design with low level cistern
Perfect For:
- • First-time buyers with period properties
- • Rental property upgrades
- • Traditional styling on tight budgets
- • Guest WCs needing character
✨Modern Contemporary Collection
Burlington Chrome Cistern
Premium low level with stunning metallic cistern finish
Perfect For:
- • Luxury modern bathroom suites
- • Executive homes in Marlborough
- • Contemporary design statements
- • High-end renovation projects
Twyford Classic 710mm
Professional quality low-level pan with commercial durability
Perfect For:
- • Family homes requiring durability
- • Commercial properties (offices, cafes)
- • High-usage downstairs WCs
- • Professional standard installations
Tavistock Vitoria Contemporary
Modern styling with efficient low level system, excellent value
Perfect For:
- • Modern home renovations on budget
- • New build properties with floor waste
- • Young families starting out
- • Clean contemporary aesthetics
🔧Professional Installation Expertise
Chrome Pipe Premium Finish
Elegant chrome connector pipe with soft close seat upgrade. Shows how traditional low level systems can achieve premium modern aesthetics.
Aesthetic Appeal:
- • Chrome finish adds luxury touch
- • Soft close seat for modern convenience
- • Traditional meets contemporary style
- • Premium finish on proven system
Space Planning Reference
Side profile view showing actual space requirements and proportions. Essential for planning installations in compact downstairs WCs.
Planning Use:
- • Measure available space accurately
- • Plan cistern positioning
- • Ensure adequate clearances
- • Professional space assessment
❌What NOT to Buy (Incompatible with Floor Waste)
Villeroy & Boch Close Coupled
Beautiful modern rimless design BUT only works with wall waste systems. Will NOT connect properly to floor waste pipes.
Why It Fails:
- • Horizontal waste outlet only
- • Cannot connect to floor pipes
- • Wrong connection angle
- • Poor flush performance if forced
Wall Hung Concealed Cistern
Sleek modern design with hidden cistern BUT requires wall waste connection. Cannot be adapted for floor waste systems.
Technical Barriers:
- • Designed for wall mounting only
- • Concealed frame needs wall cavity
- • Waste connection through wall required
- • Cannot retrofit to floor systems
🏡Aesthetic Settings & Room Integration
Modern Beige Bathroom Integration
This stunning modern bathroom showcases a close-coupled toilet in beautiful beige tones. While visually perfect, this toilet type CANNOT be used with floor waste systems. However, the aesthetic shows what's possible with low level cisterns in similar color schemes.
💡 Aesthetic Inspiration for Floor Waste Homes:
- • Beautiful neutral beige color palette achievable with low level cisterns
- • Modern tile work and lighting complement traditional toilet systems
- • Demonstrates how contemporary design works with heritage plumbing
- • Shows possibility of luxury aesthetics with compatible toilet types
- • Perfect inspiration for renovation planning - just change the toilet type!
Hampshire Property Considerations
Victorian Properties
Winchester, Andover town centers typically have floor waste in downstairs WCs
1960s-70s Builds
Estate properties around Hampshire villages commonly used floor waste systems
Modern Properties
1990s+ builds typically use wall waste connections
🏠 Before You Shop: Essential Checklist
- Check your waste pipe direction - Floor or wall?
- Measure your space - Room for cistern and connecting pipe?
- Consider your budget - £279-£1,663 + installation £285-£485
- Choose your style - Traditional, modern, or heritage?
- Book professional assessment - Confirm compatibility before purchasing