New Toilet

[garash]

We are replacing the old toilet which has the sewer outlet going into the floor.
Does anyone know if the cistern can be placed lower/pipe between cistern and pan shorter than normal? Are there any technical reasons why this can not be done? For example, is there a certain distance required between the cistern and pan? To place the cistern lower would look better than to have a longer length of pipe between them. All the pictures I have seen of this particular style of toilet all show the cistern at a higher level. We do not want our builder to dig up the floor and re-route the sewer as we are trying to keep costs down.

 

[Bosswhite]

Why not fit a Close Coupled unit, they are cheap enough.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

You can theoretically fit any pan/cistern you like. Usual problem when replacing older pans with an 'S' trap, (where the soil pipe goes straight into the floor as you describe), is the pan position is governed by the soil pipe position. Often with close coupled pan/cistern as in Bosswhite's photo, it is found the cistern will not go back to the wall. This can be overcome by fixing a piece of wood between the cistern and wall and making a small shelf, or using a '?' shape pan connector to allow the pan to sit further back on the floor.