DIY’ers…you ever have one of those days?

Oh NO! The toilet is upside down!   

Am I missing something here? That's exactly how I installed our toilet and it has served us well for many years.

Of course, it is essential to have easy-wipe wall tiles rather than wallpaper.

I've never been quite sure what the water in the lower receptacle is for. Cooling, I suppose, or purely for decorative effect.

As I've gotten older, I have days like that more often than not.

The fix is simple. Take off the lid and seat, unbolt the toilet, turn it around and rebolt it and put the seat and lid back on. Easy peezy.   

Posted by: @perrone1

The fix is simple. Take off the lid and seat, unbolt the toilet, turn it around and rebolt it and put the seat and lid back on. Easy peezy.   

Good call Tony, but of course the easiest way to achieve this without having to detach the toilet is to cut out the entire wall in one piece using a sawsall and simply reverse it.....which would be good because it would make the bathroom larger as the neighboring room would be included.  Then just cut a new hole in the seat, fill the old seat hole using that remnant, duct tape it into place and fashion a hook device using a coat hanger to reach the TP dispenser.... Voila!

Sounds like the handy mans corner from the Red Green show.

Posted by: @grockwood

Sounds like the handy mans corner from the Red Green show.

Red is my all time hero/role model and Harold can really riff on that axe!

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Good call Tony, but of course the easiest way to achieve this without having to detach the toilet is to cut out the entire wall in one piece using a sawsall and simply reverse it.....which would be good because it would make the bathroom larger as the neighboring room would be included.  Then just cut a new hole in the seat, fill the old seat hole using that remnant, duct tape it into place and fashion a hook device using a coat hanger to reach the TP dispenser.... Voila!

I am always receptive to inspirational DIY advice, and as soon as I read your detailed instructions I dug out my power tools and set to work. It all went exactly as described, with remarkably little trouble. Unfortunately, due to the internal layout of our dwelling, we now have an outside toilet, accessed via projecting planks and a safety handrail since Mrs Ogg is nervous of heights and the toilet is on the first floor so there is an 18 foot drop to contend with if one should ever step on a bar of soap or a bath overspill. Erecting some basic weatherproofing with canvas and scaffold poles was easy enough and will provide basic protection and privacy during the summer months, but something more durable will eventually be called for. I have little experience of bricklaying over a void, so if you have any expertise in the erection of cantilevered box girder structures your further advice would be most welcome.

p.s. I also found that a washer needs to be replaced on the bathroom tap and I'm buggered if I know how to deal with that. Some DIY jobs are easier than others.

@graeme-ogg, it sounds like you're working through it. Be thankful you're not in a condominium!

....it's still useful, but only half of the time.   😏 😏 

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Posted by: @perrone1

The fix is simple. Take off the lid and seat, unbolt the toilet, turn it around and rebolt it and put the seat and lid back on. Easy peezy.   

Good call Tony, but of course the easiest way to achieve this without having to detach the toilet is to cut out the entire wall in one piece using a sawsall and simply reverse it.....which would be good because it would make the bathroom larger as the neighboring room would be included.  Then just cut a new hole in the seat, fill the old seat hole using that remnant, duct tape it into place and fashion a hook device using a coat hanger to reach the TP dispenser.... Voila!

OMG! That's BRILLIANT! I'm ashamed that I didn't think of it too! (You've designed some upscale homes I'm certain!)

@graeme-ogg 

ROTFLMAO Graeme!!

@jkuvakas 

HA!  GREAT advice John!

Posted by: @graeme-ogg

Posted by: @jack-dodds

Good call Tony, but of course the easiest way to achieve this without having to detach the toilet is to cut out the entire wall in one piece using a sawsall and simply reverse it.....which would be good because it would make the bathroom larger as the neighboring room would be included.  Then just cut a new hole in the seat, fill the old seat hole using that remnant, duct tape it into place and fashion a hook device using a coat hanger to reach the TP dispenser.... Voila!

I am always receptive to inspirational DIY advice, and as soon as I read your detailed instructions I dug out my power tools and set to work. It all went exactly as described, with remarkably little trouble. Unfortunately, due to the internal layout of our dwelling, we now have an outside toilet, accessed via projecting planks and a safety handrail since Mrs Ogg is nervous of heights and the toilet is on the first floor so there is an 18 foot drop to contend with if one should ever step on a bar of soap or a bath overspill. Erecting some basic weatherproofing with canvas and scaffold poles was easy enough and will provide basic protection and privacy during the summer months, but something more durable will eventually be called for. I have little experience of bricklaying over a void, so if you have any expertise in the erection of cantilevered box girder structures your further advice would be most welcome.

p.s. I also found that a washer needs to be replaced on the bathroom tap and I'm buggered if I know how to deal with that. Some DIY jobs are easier than others.

Graeme I have sent you a large vial of blue pills to assist with the erection you speak of...can't say if the result would be cantilevered or not.  Also your toilet now being situated on the outer wall of your house will save you on fan installation and air freshener....the downside of course is that flushing could only occur during a rainstorm.  You may also find that you and the missus are no longer invited to neighborhood get togethers....people can be so fickle regarding change.  Your new toilet function may not be as bad as it sounds because, as you indicate, you will be voiding into a void as it were, so the brick work you describe will actually not be required....and of course the garden will be well fertilized at zero cost.  One minor detail I neglected to mention is how to deal with rerouting the water supply to your sink and shower.  Obviously you just need to find the old water shut off and hook up a standard garden hose, which you could then duct tape to any area you choose for your shower and wash basin needs.  I trust this info will be of assistance....good luck!

p.s.   You will find that washers will be redundant if you simply wrap the joint tightly with duct tape.