Modifying sanitary ware

newshound scribbled

I'd cut the bottom. Pedestals are thin walled and hollow, you'd be asking for trouble.

But the bottom is decorative. I don't think this one is hollow for the top few centimetres, the overall thickness there is only 11 mm. It's much thicker at the bottom.

Unless it's really quite old, i.e. probably pre 1950's, it will be dense fully vitrified porcelain. Cracks will run through it easily, almost certainly in directions you don't want. Cutting it will be slow even with a diamond disk. It will be like cutting vitrified porcelain floor tiles, nothing like soft wall tiles. While you may be lucky and successful, be prepared to have to go out and buy a new pedestal. Could you not consider recessing it into the floor? 10mm isn't that deep that you couldn't cut an appropriate groove. What's the floor made of? Wood should be fairly easy the chisel out, and even concrete wouldn't be that difficult.

I think that's a fair comment.

I had to file out the holes on a cistern slightly (0.5mm) with a diamond file to clear an M8 stainless bolt. That was very hard going (took ages). Modern sanitaryware is damn hard stuff.

I've done this once on a cheap hollow pedestal using a diamond disk in an angle grinder, it worked pretty well without too much chipping

Yes, I can say that is indeed the case if its of the porcelain type. Also put tthe old tape around the cut site and you can often find not as much damage to the glaze occurs. Pity nobody makes telescopic pedestals! Brian

Thanks, useful observation on material properties. Although curiously David Lang seems to have found a softer one. I think I will have a go, and accept that I might wreck the pedestal. If that happens, I will probably fabricate a replacement in plywood (perhaps with storage space).

It's going to be one of those "Do you feel lucky" jobs :-)

The one I did was brand new and sort of hollow. It cut really easily. The only problem I had was that it needed cutting from both sides.

Well, do yah? Punk?

What is wrong with the basin being 10mm higher?

I am aware it might be awkward to extend the pipework, but they can often be moved upwards by 10mm without modification.

It's already fitted to a lath and plaster wall with very irregular studwork, and has tiles above which I am not going to move. (The pedestal is to make it more childproof).

The preferred phrase is "child resistant". "Childproof" suggests an unwise degree of confidence in the child's ability to cause havoc.

I did only say *more* childproof!