Concerned over modified toilet and large user weight

[JonnyUK]

The plumber came today to fit our new toilet, as part of a whole bathroom fit. I noticed last night that the lower toilet skirting/rim would be too close to the "up through the ground" soil pipe, so I assumed some kind of pipe adapter or extension would be used. The previous toilet didn't have rear skirting or whatever it is called, it stopped straight. Now although I am the adult son, it is still my parents who make the decisions as they are the ones paying the money for the bathroom, but it seems when I was out they suggested to the plumber to just cut off the skirting at the back of the toilet to make it fit, rather than all the effort of moving the soil pipe, as the toilet couldn't be moved further forward as it was already hitting the door half open.

I can't and don't blame the plumber as it was my parents suggestion to him, not his to them, I believe he even said he could just move the pipe. The concern I have is I am 30 stone (450lbs), now that a section of the toilet is cut off, surely this makes it much less stable ? I know toilets have a 1000lb limit, but remove 1/4 of support and that is no longer the case I imagine, I have no idea if hairline cracks have been made. Yes, I know the weight issue is totally my fault, but just wasn't expecting to contend with a cut toilet.

Can anyone let me know if this would have weakened it much ?

See photos. Thanks all.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Maybe the plumber gave your parents a price to move the pipework in the floor and they said 'no, just cut the toilet'

Andy

 

[JonnyUK]

Yes, that may be true, I am not upset at the plumber as it wasn't his idea, just my parents making that choice. I would have had no problem paying the extra myself if it came to it. I know the job fee was a pre-made one (not per hour or day but for the task), but I could have still paid extra if needed. I am just concerned now it won't take my weight as the base is cut away and wondered if any plumbers know if this will weaken the toilet or will it not many any difference other than cosmetic ?

 

[HERTS P&D]

In my opinion it will weaken the toilet but your parents told him to do it. I think you will need to take advice regarding your weight.

Sorry to be blunt.

Andy

 

[JonnyUK]

Yes, that I also understand, my size is my own fault. I just wasn't expecting the chance of a weakened toilet, again not the plumbers fault. If you think it will weaken it then that is what I wanted to know, guess I was hoping it wouldn't make any difference but you confirmed my concerns that it would.

 

[big-all]

if you look unless its an optical illusion with the seat up the centre off the seat is virtually over the front off the pan so weight more at the front
now i dont know but wouldnt expect it to fail in a sudden dangerous way but
if you are worried and plan on living with it as it is try somthing like half a tube off no nails tube cut to maximum discharge sausage size [end 40% cut off nozzle]pump in half a tube in each side as far in as you can get then a week later repeat another half tube each and keep going weeks appart until if fills the void at the back so failure hopfully will be cracks and leaks not collapse
you will probably empty 4 or 5 tubes but you must allow the time in between to allow it to dry a bit as it skins over
as i say not ideal but iff you must live with that pan better to support the bowl back directly

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

I also have to be blunt I'm afraid, but I would be really concerned about sitting on that, given the removal of a chunk of the pan. My only concern is for your safety, and I wouldn't want to chance using that WC after the 'non standard' alterations.

It is possible the pan has been weakened, but you do not want to find out by having the pan shatter beneath you. Such a catastrophe could easily leave you with serious injuries, and it doesn't bear thinking about.

Do you have/could you get an alternative facility to use? Or what about a frame over the top of the pan to avoid placing weight directly onto the pan? If not, then I really think you need to look at other options. My Ex has been a hospital inpatient for many years now, and has gained a lot of weight as a result. I certainly wouldn't let her use that WC.

 

[JohnD]

You can get a small number of WC pans that connect to a floor socket without needing an elbow adaptor. If the floor is concrete it is impractical to move the soil pipe.

Can you measure the distance from the wall to the centre of the socket, and also from the wall to the front of the pan, since you say space is limited.

 

[Alec_t]

Use something like this ?

 

[teaboyjim]

I also have to be blunt I'm afraid, but I would be really concerned about sitting on that, given the removal of a chunk of the pan. My only concern is for your safety, and I wouldn't want to chance using that WC after the 'non standard' alterations. It is possible the pan has been weakened, but you do not want to find out by having the pan shatter beneath you. Such a catastrophe could easily leave you with serious injuries, and it doesn't bear thinking about. Do you have/could you get an alternative facility to use? Or what about a frame over the top of the pan to avoid placing weight directly onto the pan? If not, then I really think you need to look at other options. My Ex has been a hospital inpatient for many years now, and has gained a lot of weight as a result. I certainly wouldn't let her use that WC.

Is it standard practice to cut a toilet in this way?
Does it weaken it?
If the bowl is in any possible danger of it breaking then it could be life threatening if one of those sharp shards of porcelain cut a main artery in the leg such as the femoral artery you could die

 

[Madrab]

Any cut like that, where it alters the footprint and weight loading of the base of the toilet will more than likely compromise is stability and strength. If it needs to carry greater weight then the risk of collapse is greater. That aside I wouldn't ever consider cutting a toilet base like that, regardless of the weight it need to carry.

I also wouldn't be confident in any plumber who would agree to cut the base of a ceramic toilet like that and then think that it would be any where near acceptable.

 

[Mottie]

A very unsafe job in my opinion. Look at post #9 - that frame is rated to 30st so just about your limit.

 

[just pumps]

Looking at the last picture I wonder if the guy added cement where the cut in the pan is for added surport.
To the OP : Try poking under this area with a wire coat hanger to see if he has done this.

 

[teaboyjim]

Do you have/could you get an alternative facility to use? Or what about a frame over the top of the pan to avoid placing weight directly onto the pan? If not, then I really think you need to look at other options. My Ex has been a hospital inpatient for many years now, and has gained a lot of weight as a result. I certainly wouldn't let her use that WC.

This sounds like a really good practical idea that you might be able to implement straight away Jonny

 

[just pumps]

Use something like this ?

Whilst it will do the job they are pig ugly.