How to Move a Toilet in a Foundation

Moving a toilet in a foundation slab is not impossible, however it is a challenge. To move the toilet you must cut through the concrete to gain access to the drain pipe. You also need to cut a channel through the concrete to lay new drain pipe. Depending on how far you have to move the toilet, this project may take several days to complete. If you've never used a jackhammer before, you may consider contracting the project out to a professional.

Wrench
Hacksaw
Chalk or spray paint
Jackhammer
Shovel
Drain pipe, 3-inch ABS or PVC
PVC cement or ABS glue (for ABS pipe)
Mortar
Trowel
Tamp tool

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off the water by closing the valve on the main water line at your water heater. Unscrew the bolts on the base of the toilet with a wrench and lift the toilet off the flange.
- 2
  Cut away the concrete around the flange with a jackhammer until you can remove the flange and cut it from the drain line with a hacksaw.
- 3
  Route the new drain line to the new toilet location. Draw the route on the floor with chalk or a can of spray paint for reference. Cut a channel at least 4 inches wide in the concrete foundation with the jackhammer. Dig out 4 inches of dirt in the channel with a shovel.
- 4
  Lay drain pipe to the new location for the toilet. Use the proper couplings and elbow joints as necessary to run the drain to the new location. Attach the toilet flange to the drain pipe where you plan to mount the toilet. Once the pipe is dry fit, disassemble and reconnect everything using PVC adhesive for PVC pipe, or ABS glue for ABS pipe.
- 5
  Spread gravel over the pipe and around the flange. Apply new mortar over the drain pipe and around the flange with a trowel. Tamp down the mortar with a flat tamping tool to smooth the surface. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours.

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