When replacing equipment, and when transforming the position of plumbing in the bathroom, the question of connection with the sewer system arises. A corrugated pipe for a toilet allows you to solve this problem as quickly and simply as possible, which is why the work on the product is significantly simplified. But it is extremely important to choose exactly the option that is suitable for your conditions and will help for as long as possible, this is what this article will be devoted to.
Advantages and disadvantages
To install a toilet corrugation, you should know the technology for performing such work and take into account some important nuances. This product is a transition element, which is intended to connect a plumbing fixture to a sewer system. It has the shape of a wide pipe with corrugated walls and is made from modern material - thermoplastic.
The edge of the corrugation for plumbing is decorated with a cuff, which facilitates the work of connecting the pipeline and the toilet outlet. The structural feature of the walls, which gives the name to this product, allows you to increase the parameters of the adapter to a certain limit. Sleeve length usually ranges from 23 to 50 centimeters.
The diameter of the toilet corrugation, or rather the cuff attached to the device, is 13.4 centimeters on the outside, and 7.5 centimeters on the inside. The end installed on the sewer pipe usually has a hole of 11 cm in diameter.
The main advantages that this element has are ease of installation and affordable cost. It is usually used in cases where the sizes of the corrugation for the toilet bowl and the pipe discharging waste do not match. This product is very convenient to use if there is a need to change the position of a plumbing fixture by moving it relative to the entry point into the wastewater disposal system.
Corrugation is also used as a temporary element when, during repairs, the toilet is not yet completely fixed, but it needs to be used. But this product cannot be called the best choice of material, since it is not durable.
For example, if a sharp piece of glass or a piece of ceramic tile accidentally falls into the toilet, a corrugated connection will be easily damaged. If the element is bent incorrectly, blockages will begin to collect in the adapter, and if the length of the toilet corrugation is too long, it will sag under the weight of the contents. It is not placed inside walls, as it is only suitable for outdoor installation.
Useful tips
When purchasing, experts recommend taking into account the length of the corrugation. This is especially important for those bathrooms or toilet rooms in which the toilet extends quite far from the wall. The corrugated pipe can be pulled out, but this action has certain limitations. And the more it is stretched, the thinner its walls will become, which has an extremely negative effect on its strength.
It is not advisable to pull out the fittings before installing them on the toilet. Only when connecting to the sewer can it be stretched. If you do not follow this advice, the structure may sag, and this can lead to the formation of a blockage in the system.
You can shorten the corrugation after measuring the required length, but even then you should not cut it exactly to this distance. You need to leave a small margin of length.
When installing a corrugated pipe, it is important that the channel is curved, without preventing water from draining freely. You cannot pinch the pipe, otherwise damage may occur and it will begin to leak in the future.
We should not forget that corrugation is a fragile product and is not designed for excessive load. Nothing should put pressure on it from above or from the side.
Features of using a corrugated adapter
The cuff or corrugation for the toilet is not used to connect to the sewer in all cases. The fact is that plastic pipelines are more reliable and can last much longer.
But in some cases it is impossible to do without a corrugated adapter. For example, if the toilet cannot be mounted directly opposite the sewer outlet or when the floor level has risen higher after renovation. This happens when the old floor covering is not dismantled, but new tile material is laid on top of it.
Sometimes the location of the toilet is changed due to the rearrangement of plumbing equipment, if it is necessary to install, for example, a shower stall. Corrugation is used when the type of outlet of the mounted device does not correspond to the existing sewage system.
People living in Soviet-built houses often face a similar problem. In them, old sewer networks are designed to connect to devices with an oblique outlet, while in modern toilets it is made straight.
Purpose
Today, corrugation is the only option for installation in the required position.
Often, when using ordinary rigid pipes, it is difficult to connect the toilet to the sewer in a given position or when using one of its models if the socket is not provided for it.
It is used:
- If the toilet needs to be moved axially in relation to the socket. This includes laying tiles on the floor, raising equipment when using simple rigid pipes is not possible. In the case when the plumbing equipment is moved to another place more suitable for use. In such situations, the outlet line of the toilet bowl and the socket will no longer coincide, therefore, it is necessary to use a special flexible corrugation.
- Now toilets are offered with various outlet models , but, for example, old-type apartment buildings are only designed for installation of oblique outlets. In this regard, if the product has a horizontal or vertical outlet, then when connected to the sewerage system, you will only need a corrugation that bends in any direction without losing its qualities. It lasts quite a long time, but in case of replacement, you should choose a material that is manufactured by a foreign company. Local producers do not have the quality required in such situations.
Nuances of choosing a corrugated product
Before choosing a corrugation for the toilet, you should clarify the parameters of the holes to which you plan to connect it. Experts advise buying this product together with plumbing fixtures.
Of the other dimensions of the toilet corrugation, the length of the pipe is important. Models of various purposes and types are available for sale. For example, if the bathroom is small and combined, an easy-to-install option would be a product with an outlet that allows you to simultaneously connect two objects to one sewer outlet. In some cases, it is more rational to use a rubber cuff for toilets.
You should not look for cheaper products, because regardless of what kind of corrugations there are for a toilet, even the most expensive option has an affordable price. If the connector costs a little more than other similar products, it will be of high quality.
Imported specimens have good indicators of durability and strength. The fact is that foreign manufacturers strengthen their products with reinforcing metal wire. These products are more rigid, better resist various mechanical influences and sag less.
To install a corrugated toilet drain, you may also need:
- a straight or eccentric coupling designed to connect to a sewer pipe of a device located very close;
- a plastic outlet or pipe with a cuff, used for installing plumbing fixtures, the position of which is shifted relative to the entrance to the drainage system;
- hard or soft corrugation, which allows you to bypass minor obstacles that prevent a direct connection of the device to the sewer.
When choosing an adapter, you must remember that problems arise not only when purchasing and using a product that is too stretched. Experts do not recommend using too short corrugation for the toilet. As a result of sharp bending or too much compression, the product will soon break.
What else should you pay attention to?
If all installation operations are carried out carefully, then there will be no problems with the subsequent operation of the plumbing equipment. However, it is worth paying attention to a number of points.
A corrugated sleeve will last a long time if its length is chosen correctly. The product must not be installed in a fully extended or excessively compressed state, nor should it be allowed to bend sharply at turns. In the latter case, when space for the adapter is limited, a toilet eccentric can often be used instead.
The sleeve should not sag, otherwise a pocket will form in which deposits will begin to accumulate. This can lead to blockages in the drain or rapid rupture of its plastic walls. To avoid such consequences, you need to use auxiliary support clamps, stands, etc.- The corrugated plumbing adapter is a product intended for external installation only. It is not allowed to be walled up in the structure. This should be remembered, as well as the fact that sooner or later it will have to be changed, therefore, it is important to provide for the possibility of access to it.
Finally, it is worth recalling once again that when deciding how to choose a corrugated hose for connecting a toilet, you should initially consider the possibility of using any other rigid analogues from corners, swivel connectors or eccentrics. The strength of flexible adapters is quite limited, so the product can be damaged not only by hard sharp objects, but also gradually destroyed by natural wear and tear due to thinning of the walls.
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Dismantling the sewer outlet
If the toilet is installed, then the old product must be removed before installing the new connector. When performing this work, you need to take into account a number of important nuances.
Before proceeding with the dismantling of the old element, water is drained from the tank and the water supply to the system is shut off. Since the toilet corrugation does not have increased rigidity, liquid remains inside it.
For this reason, first disconnect the part attached to the device, then the waste remaining in the product can be drained into the sewer hole. It is important to follow this sequence if the toilet is located at an angle to the sewer pipe or the old connector has become very stretched during operation.
When the toilet flush corrugation is in a compressed state, removing it may require dismantling the toilet. It is advisable to take these nuances into account, since over time the corrugation has to be changed.
How to choose?
Each product can be classified as its own type, guided by a combination of parameters such as:
You can select the right product based on the required parameters, as well as the requirements for quality and strength.
It is advisable to buy a certified product , and also carefully study the markings on it before purchasing. There is no need to succumb to the temptation to buy a suspiciously cheap product, because, as you know, “the miser pays twice,” and there is a high probability that, having installed a penny corrugation, you will soon have to go to the store for a new one.
Corrugation installation
After removing the previous connecting element, you need to inspect the product to be installed to make sure that it has not developed cracks or other damage during transportation or storage. In addition, check whether the length of the connector matches the gap between the sewer pipe and the toilet.
If the device is new, like the pipe, then they use a different sequence on how to properly install the corrugation for the toilet. First of all, the corrugated product is connected to the outlet of the device, then it is installed and the entire assembled structure is connected to the drainage system.
This sequence of actions is less complex and time-consuming compared to the process when the toilet is first installed and then the corrugation is connected to it.
During the preparatory stage after dismantling the outdated connector, it is necessary to clean the outlet hole from contamination in the form of particles of previous communications, sealant residues or cement mortar. Before putting the corrugation on the toilet, it is advisable to degrease the cleaned surface, if this is provided in the instructions for using the new sealant. Before installing the corrugated outlet for the toilet, a fan pipe is put on its outlet.
Next, you can begin installing the connecting element:
- First, apply the required amount of sealant to the edge of the outlet. It doesn’t matter what type of toilet corrugation is used, only silicone or acrylic-based compounds are used for it. These sealants have the ability to expand well and thus provide a sealed joint because they are specifically formulated for use in high humidity environments to prevent mold and mildew from forming on surfaces. Before using the sealant, you must carefully read the instructions and strictly follow them.
- The edge of the outlet is treated with sealant and a plumbing corrugation is put on, which is turned towards the toilet with the side where the inner membrane is located. It is important that it is positioned level, providing the connection with maximum reliability. During installation, the pipe section is carefully pressed against the outlet surface.
- Then wait until the sealant has completely dried. The time for this is indicated in the instructions.
- Then the new device is installed in the designated place. The connection of the corrugation with the sewer inlet is carried out in the same way - part of the pipe is treated with sealant and joined in the right place. Regardless of what kind of corrugations there are on the toilet, their installation can be done without the use of sealant. The fact is that along their edges there are internal membranes that allow you to fix the position of the connector, but the absence of sealant in practice often results in leaks and displacement of the corrugation.
At this stage, installation of the adapter can be considered complete, but the reliability of the connection needs to be checked:
- First of all, you need to wait until the sealant applied at the junction of the pipe and the sewer dries.
- After this, water is supplied to fill the tank and flushed into the toilet or several liters of liquid are poured into it and the condition of the junction points of the elements included in the drainage system from the toilet is monitored.
- When there are traces of moisture or water leaks, this means that the seal is broken, therefore, it is necessary to eliminate the existing deficiencies. To do this, you do not need to redo the work done; it is enough to apply several layers of sealant to problem areas. Next, wait until the composition dries and re-check the quality of the compounds.
An important point when installing a corrugated connector is its length. Depending on the distance between the sewer inlet and the toilet outlet, you can purchase a long, short, or product with an outlet. It easily changes the length, but within a certain range, depending on the technical characteristics of the corrugation for the toilet.
If the distance between the device and the sewage system is too large, the product will eventually begin to sag under the weight of the contents in it. The shorter this gap, the longer the connecting element will last. When you need to solve the problem of how to shorten the corrugation for a toilet bowl, you can simply compress it, or do the opposite when it is short. The fact is that when in tension, a corrugated product can easily break; for this reason, additional loads on it should be avoided.
How to install?
In order to change the corrugation, you will need the following tools:
It's very easy to do. First you need to try on the pipe; to do this, the corrugation is applied to the place where you plan to connect it. It will be immediately clear whether the neck of the toilet, the waste pipe and the corrugation itself are connected. Here you can determine whether the length of the corrugated pipe is suitable.
If necessary, the corrugation is cut and markings are made. The points where the dowels will be should be marked with a marker. The base for the toilet also needs to be marked. A tank and drain pipe are installed on the toilet. Using a hammer drill, you need to make holes for the dowels, after which the installation of a new corrugated pipe begins.
Important nuances of using corrugations for a toilet bowl
The gap separating plumbing and sewerage must be reduced to a reasonable minimum, but this is not always possible. A corrugated connector that is too long is reinforced with special supports. This is done at the installation stage, without waiting for noticeable sagging to appear. The presence of supports helps to avoid blockages in their locations.
Sometimes there is a need to shorten the connector. The following method is used to cut corrugation for a toilet: it is cut, the excess section is removed and joined using silicone.
To extend the life of the product, it doesn’t hurt to take advantage of a few expert tips:
- Do not pour household chemicals into the toilet, as they may contain aggressive components that can damage the corrugation.
- Since the walls of the connector are thin, they must be protected from mechanical stress.
- Having figured out what corrugation is in plumbing, it should be installed correctly, since otherwise liquid will begin to stagnate in it.
When the installation of a corrugated pipe is carried out as recommended by experts, it copes with its functionality, removing waste and preventing the appearance of unpleasant odors in residential areas.
Why does the leak occur?
This happens especially often when purchasing cheap equipment. Corrugation of dubious quality does not fit tightly enough to the pipe (its inner surface), and unwanted folds form on it. The appearance of a leak in this case is a matter of time.
Also, in some low-quality types of corrugated pipes, the skirt on the cuff is not straight, but cone-shaped. This shouldn't happen. More expensive models, especially those manufactured by leading companies in the market, have better quality and durability.
To carry out quality repairs, it is advisable to seek help from specialists. At the same time, you should not leave plumbers without attention; it is better to monitor what they are doing.
As for the materials, it is better to purchase them yourself, since very often the specialists called are trying to save on corrugation, and this will inevitably lead to new leaks.
Estimated prices for installation work
In order to choose an installation company, you can seek help from a service organization or a company that deals with plumbing work
It is important to conclude an agreement and specify warranty periods for installation work.
Here are the approximate prices for basic bathroom refurbishment work:
Installation work | price, rub. |
Dismantling | Up to 1000 |
Installation of floor equipment | 1500-2000 |
Installation of suspended equipment | 3600-4200 |
Replacing corrugations | From 700 |
Additionally, you may need funds for preliminary consultation, replacement of sewer pipes and adjustment of equipment. The total amount in the end is not small. Self-installation significantly saves personal funds, which can be invested in purchasing better equipment.
Connection of the pipe
Brief instructions for connecting the corrugated adapter are as follows:
- First of all, put the rubber seal on the toilet outlet. To make it easier to put on, wet it with water.
- After this, the toilet is installed in place.
- The second end of the outlet is connected to the sewer socket.
Note! To seal all joints, they must be coated with silicone sealant.
If the connection is made with solid connecting elements, then it is a little more difficult to do, since it may be necessary to move the plumbing fixture to the required distance. If some complex non-standard solutions are required, and you also do not have the proper experience, it is better to ask an experienced plumber for help.
Release to the floor
The vertical location of the outlet part allows the toilet to be installed even in conditions of insufficient free space, in small plumbing rooms. The most important difference in the configuration is the presence of a siphon and pipe already built into the product itself. Installation of these models can be done in a variety of ways, which is explained by the lack of connection to the wall.
Model advantages:
- optimal design for a private home;
- Possibility of installation almost anywhere;
- masking the sewer line under the floor;
- maximum convenience of inspection and repair of the output part.
Main disadvantages of the configuration:
- inappropriate layout of the sewer system;
- high cost of professional repair and installation services;
- The cost of the plumbing itself is quite high.
The undeniable advantages of the model range with floor outlet include the ease of choosing a place for installation, installation compactness, the availability of sufficient free space for the installation of additional plumbing fixtures and furniture, high efficiency of the flushing system, the absence of water splashes during the draining process, as well as guaranteed strength and reliability designs.