Lack of Fall on Pan Connector

[MortarThePoint]

I'm using a McAlpine CON8E and it connects up nicely except my soil pipe is too high relative to the tiled surface meaning the connector's pipe section doesn't have a fall. In fact it slopes slightly the wrong way. If I raise the toilet up on 5mm packers, this pipe section is level. Ideally I'd want a fall of about 1:40, which would mean having the toilet 10mm above the tile.  I can't change the height of the soil pipe as it is all boxed in so I'm wondering what to do?

 

I think the spigot on the toilet is lower than it says in its dimension drawing (180mm) and the tile build-up is thinner.

 

I've attached some pictures of the situation and then a single picture of it with 5mm packers under the toilet.

 

[Redbeard]

16 minutes ago, MortarThePoint said:

Ideally I'd want a fall of about 1:40, which would mean having the toilet 10mm above the tile.

I can't see infill of 10mm looking awful, so go for that. I guess you may have to plug and re-drill the holes for the cistern, risking tile cracks, but (unless I have missed something) that looks like being your worst potential problem. Do you have a couple of spare tiles?

[MortarThePoint]

Just now, Redbeard said:

I can't see infill of 10mm looking awful, so go for that. I guess you may have to plug and re-drill the holes for the cistern, risking tile cracks, but (unless I have missed something) that looks like being your worst potential problem. Do you have a couple of spare tiles?

 

I haven't drilled any holes for the toilet screws yet so that wouldn't be an issue.

 

I do have some spare tiles. Are you thinking I could create a low platform for the toilet to sit on?

[Redbeard]

Just now, MortarThePoint said:

I haven't drilled any holes for the toilet screws yet so that wouldn't be an issue.

 

I do have some spare tiles. Are you thinking I could create a low platform for the toilet to sit on?

 

Yes and no. The spare tiles were in case you cracked the existing when drilling. The 'platform' could be made of anything. 9 or 10mm ply or cement-board cut slightly undersized so that you can 'point up' with silicone. Equally if the tiles are c 10mm and you like cutting tiles, use tiles, again undersized and pointed. Re the fixing of the cistern, I have a sneaking feeling that one of mine (they are all close-coupled) never got fixed to the wall anyway, with no disastrous effects. I'll go and have a look later!

[Russell griffiths]

Flush it see what happens 

IMPO the whoosh of the pan emptying will send all stuff well past that pan connector, then gravity takes over with a bit of momentum from the flush. 
nothing will come backwards. 

[markc]

+1 @Russell griffiths as long as it’s only the connector with no fall you will be fine, fall along the run is to ensure everything keeps moving along.

[MortarThePoint]

Just now, markc said:

+1 @Russell griffiths as long as it’s only the connector with no fall you will be fine, fall along the run is to ensure everything keeps moving along.

 

May mean I have some waste water permanently sat in the connector against the seal to the toilet pan. Isn't that a concern?

[MortarThePoint]

23 minutes ago, MortarThePoint said:

May mean I have some waste water permanently sat in the connector against the seal to the toilet pan. Isn't that a concern?

 

Actually, thinking about it there is often going to be some water there since the toilet spigot is larger diameter than the pipe section

[Russell griffiths]

58 minutes ago, MortarThePoint said:

 

May mean I have some waste water permanently sat in the connector against the seal to the toilet pan. Isn't that a concern?

Only if it leaks, mcalpine products don’t leak if fitted well. 
what’s your other choice, don’t pack the toilet up more than 3-4 mm it will look proper turd. 

[MortarThePoint]

45 minutes ago, Russell griffiths said:

what’s your other choice

 

I guess hunting around for a toilet with a 190mm spigot height (or 185mm minimum).

[MortarThePoint]

By measuring the height (107mm) above tile to the underside of the MAC-8E's 'trumpet spigot flange' and based on a crude measurement of the MAC-8E drawing's 'trumpet spigot flange' O.D. (136mm) I get that the spigot height of this toilet is actually 175mm (107 + (136/2)) not the 180mm it's supposed to be. That's the main route of my problem. The tiling is also likely a tad thinner than expected, but the spigot dimension is the main issue.

 

[Mr Punter]

2 hours ago, MortarThePoint said:

 

May mean I have some waste water permanently sat in the connector against the seal to the toilet pan. Isn't that a concern?

 

Not at all.  I have seen flexis with 30mm dip and they still seem to flush OK.

[Nickfromwales]

On 22/01/2026 at 14:27, MortarThePoint said:

 

I guess hunting around for a toilet with a 190mm spigot height (or 185mm minimum).

Just “no”. Stop!

 

This is fine, and will outlast you without issue. 
 

Put the sub-miniature spirit level into your missus handbag, and tell her, under no circumstances, is she to give it back to you.

 

Turn the bathroom light off, and get to the fridge for a cold beer.

Facts:

The velocity of the flush water will take MrHankey and everything else out clear and past that connector, with absolute ease.

 

Relax, fit it all in as per, and switch off. I’ve seen these going uphill 50mm and still no issue. And they’ve been in student digs etc getting a proper hammering.

 

For insurance, when you’ve pooped, use the press and hold to completely empty all water from the cistern; that’s if you want to…..but I genuinely doubt you need to.

[saveasteading]

On 22/01/2026 at 15:26, Mr Punter said:

water permanently sat in the connector

Do a sketch and you will see that this won't happen, or be the tiniest amount of liquid that will be replaced every flush.

[Nickfromwales]

1 minute ago, saveasteading said:

Do a sketch and you will see that this won't happen, or be the tiniest amount of liquid that will be replaced every flush.

This.