Maintenance Bathroom Vanity Unit

[Traveller 47]

A new 1000mm vanity unit was installed professionally in my upstairs bathroom about 3 years ago. Having had cause to fix a leak, I now find that maintenance is a complete nightmare - or even impossible. For instance, the cistern is fixed to the wall just below the top of the vanity unit so it is apparently impossible to get to the cistern mechanisms without removing the vanity unit from the wall - ie stripping out the whole unit together with the toilet.

Can this really be the case or am I missing something?

Can anyone recommend a vanity unit about 1000mm wide that accommodates a back-to-the-wall toilet which also allows reasonable maintenance access? The current unit is so unfriendly that I am considering replacing the whole thing.

Comments appreciated.

 

[Chuck]

Can you upload a couple of photos showing the current arrangement, please?

 

[Traveller 47]

Thanks for your reply. I have uploaded pics of the vanity unit and a close-up of the cistern. Today I discovered that there is a narrow access hatch at top front of the cistern. I managed to just get a hand inside to hold the detached inlet valve but it did not seem possible to remove the inlet valve assembly through the narrow slot. As you will see, the cistern lid cannot be raised more than about 8 or 10mm. I think it may be a Hudson Reed cistern but not absolutely sure.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

The cistern should lift up and out

 

[Traveller 47]

Thanks. That would be great but it can only be lifted a small amount - I will obviously try it!

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[Chuck]

If I'd installed/designed that unit, it would have a dog kennel hole at the bottom of the white panel behind the toilet to go over the waste outlet. So, to get access to the cistern you'd cut/peel the silicone sealant, raise the panel a few inches, tilt it forward at the top then lift it up and out of the way. Then, what @ShaunCorbs said.

 

[Traveller 47]

I assume you are kidding. I can’t think of any other way it could be done. However, I did remove the lower panel as you describe but it is not an easy option. Once the silicone is removed there remains the problem of the click-in fasteners that do not permit vertical movement of the panel. The eight screws that hold the fasteners have to be removed by feel alone because they are not visible - and that is not easy. Also, removing and replacing small screws in chipboard is bound to lead to torn threads and hence loose screws.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Sounds like you need to convert it to the proper drop / slide catches

 

[Traveller 47]

I didn’t know such things existed. The ones used were supplied by the manufacturer of the vanity unit. Thanks for the info - I will look into it.

 

[Traveller 47]

Would you be kind enough to point me towards the drop/slide catches? I cannot find them.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Would you be kind enough to point me towards the drop/slide catches? I cannot find them.

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[Traveller 47]

Thank you.