What Is A Back To Wall Toilet

With so many styles of sanitaryware to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. On choosing your preferred style of toilet, you’ll want to know if it will entail any additional work. From your single washroom at the back of a restaurant to a multi-site rollout, the devil is in the detail.

A back to wall toilet essentially means that the user’s back will sit flush against the wall when seated, as opposed to a cistern. When entering the cubicle, you’ll be presented with the toilet pan, but the cistern, which holds the water for flushing, will not be visible.

How do back to wall toilets work?

Back to wall toilets work in much the same way as any other toilet. The main difference here though, is that when you enter the toilet cubicle, there is much more space available. This is because you will only see the toilet pan, as the cistern is hidden away from view.

Where is the cistern on a back to wall toilet?

On a back to wall toilet the cistern is concealled within a DUCT set. This is a thin false wall that creates a service void behind the toilet. WIthin the DUCT set sits the cistern as well as all the water feeds, flush controls and waste pipes. The main advantage of this is that it leaves your cubicle looking cleaner and smarter, and protects all the services from tampering and accidental damage. 

What is the difference between close coupled and back to wall toilets?

Close coupled toilets are the type you find in most homes. The square or rectangular shaped cistern sits just behind the toilet pan with flush controls on the front, or top of the unit. Meanwhile, a back to wall toilet is where the pan sits up against the wall with no cistern visible. The cistern is concealed within a thin false wall, creating an integrated plumbping system, also known as an IPS.

The benefits of back to wall toilets

Because back to wall toilets are partnered with an IPS panel system, the cubicle has reduced surface areas. This is because you essentially have four flat wall surfaces and a small protruding toilet pan. This makes the washroom easier to clean and when used across large sites like schools, museums, and universities, can bring significant value. With fewer moving parts on display, they often need less maintenance compared to close coupled toilets too. 

A lot of people go for this back to wall toilet and cistern option as it can make the space inside the cubicle seem much bigger. However, sometimes it’s a move to prevent tampering or accidental damage. When the cistern is exposed like on your traditional domestic toilet, users can remove or damage moving parts. Back to wall toilets can also look very slick and smart, maintaining a simple design aesthetic throughout your wash space.  Back to wall toilets also have the extra advantage of being easier to clean than close coupled toilets, reducing deep cleans significantly. 

If you would like more help and advice on finding the best toilet option for your business, or to find out about our supply and fit services, get in touch with one of the Commercial Washrooms team on 01202 650900.

You’ll also find other helpful information related to back to wall toilets in our blog, including ‘How to install a back to wall toilet’.