How to arrange a pipe box in a toilet: a review of the best ways to disguise a pipeline

Are you planning to renovate your toilet and don't know what to do with the water pipes? Agree, a camouflaged pipeline looks much more aesthetically pleasing.

Various tricks and materials are used for this purpose. Often specialists from a construction organization are invited to work. Especially when you need to build a box for pipes in a plasterboard toilet. If the budget is limited and the pipes do not fit into the interior at all, then you can fix everything yourself by choosing a simpler option.

This article will discuss ways to camouflage a pipeline. We will tell you what tools and materials are required for this purpose. The material is accompanied by thematic photographs and videos that clearly demonstrate how you can disguise the pipeline in the toilet with your own hands.

Materials

Plumbing cabinet doors can be classified based on the material used to make them.
The range available on the market includes louvered doors made of wood. They are sold everywhere and are in great demand. In order to avoid mistakes associated with purchasing products of this type, the main thing is to choose the correct size. There are some nuances to the operation of wooden products - before installation they must be treated with stain and varnish. Applying these compounds will help protect the wood from moisture present in the room. Doors made of wood are often additionally decorated with various patterns, perforations, and carvings.

• You can cut a chipboard door yourself and install it on the cabinet using hinges. This design option is the simplest and fastest, as well as economical.
• Tile doors, which are mounted on a special frame, are another way to create a closet in the toilet. Thus, in the bathroom, the walls of which were also covered with this material, there will be doors for tiles, identical to the appearance of the walls.
• Mirror doors can be made by attaching a mirror to a sheet of plywood of the required size. Such mirror inserts in the room allow you to slightly visually expand the area of ​​the room.

• There are cutting-edge materials that can be used as doors. One of these options is the use of roller shutters. Metal products, plastic products and others are produced. With the help of roller shutters you can easily choose the right color for any bathroom interior. There are slatted shutters that are controlled using a remote control.
• Blinds are more affordable. They are presented in a wide variety of colors; you can order almost any size of such products.

• Doors can be made of plastic. The material is easy to maintain and does not require special surface treatment, as it has a good level of moisture resistance.
• Small textile curtains are a practical solution for arranging a sanitary closet. No less popular are polyethylene products, which can greatly decorate the interior of a room.
• Glass products framed with aluminum profiles are a convenient option for doors, since the material is not afraid of moisture. At the same time, glass provides good sound insulation.

How to make a drywall box in a toilet: materials and tools

The first step in designing a box for a bathroom: choose what size the future structure will be. If the bathroom is narrow and the pipes are located along its short wall, you can sew it completely across the entire width and height.

And in a spacious toilet, the box can be effectively disguised as a ledge or column. To make the box, one of the most popular materials in modern construction is used - plasterboard sheets. They are attached to a special profile, which can be purchased at any hardware store.

For the box you will need:

1. Moisture-resistant plasterboard sheet (gypsum plasterboard);
2. Profile guides (PN);
3. Wall profiles (they are also called rack profiles, PS);
4. Dowel-nails 6x60;
5. Self-tapping screws for;
6. Frog hinges for hatch.

To save space, you can replace wall profiles with dimensions of 50x50 with ceiling PP 60x27, and 50x40 guides with ceiling guides PPN 27x28.

The following tools are useful for making a plasterboard box with your own hands:

• Screwdriver;
• Hammer/impact drill;
• Painting knife for;
• Level;
• Metal scissors/grinder for cutting profiles;
• Roulette;
• Plumb.

If the issue of saving money is urgent, you can replace metal profiles with wooden beams, and drywall with cheaper plastic panels. When all the tools have been collected, the material has been purchased, and the size of the box has been determined, you can begin the work of sewing up the plumbing pipes.

How to choose a plumbing hatch

IKEA cabinet
Invisible hatches for tiles

When choosing a hatch for a renovated toilet based on external characteristics, you should decide how important it is to make it invisible. If there are no increased design requirements, then it is quite possible to get by with a plastic or metal plumbing product at an affordable price of 300-500 rubles

However, these materials have disadvantages:

• the plastic is not strong enough and stands out against the background of the wall;
• if the metal hatch is not intended for tiling, then it will stand out against the background of the wall, even after painting.

“Invisible” cameras with a complex opening mechanism are conquering the market, but they are also more expensive. If you want to make a hatch part of the interior, you will have to spend several thousand rubles. The cheapest high-quality design of a standard size will cost at least 3,000 rubles. Invisible plastic analogues will cost a little less.

The appearance of the final result will depend on the amount the buyer expects: expensive product options can be made to order from original materials.

Here are some more tips for choosing a plumbing door for an updated toilet:

• for painted walls, it is recommended to choose hatches made of metal, since paint adheres to them better than plastic;
• if the box where the plumbing fixtures are installed is tiled, then it is more logical to purchase a hatch with sliding hinges that matches the design;
• if the plumbing hatch is located in a narrow toilet above the toilet, then it is better to install a model with a vertical door opening;
• if the hatch will be installed on the ceiling, you should choose structures with low weight, for example, plastic ones;
• for installation on the floor, choose durable metal models with a metal thickness of at least 4 mm;
• if the door interferes with servicing devices installed in a niche, then it is recommended to choose a version with a removable door.

A custom hatch will cost 2-3 times more than a similar one. When ordering, the dimensions, side for hanging hinges, finishing, and material of manufacture are discussed separately.

Marking

It is performed directly on the ceiling, floor and walls of the toilet.

Accurate markings are the key to a strong and durable structure

It is done this way:

• there is the most protruding point on the communications, from which they retreat 3-5 cm and mark a line with a pencil;
• then take a laser level and draw a straight line between the ceiling and floor, passing along this mark. If you don’t have a level at hand, you can use a plumb line with a dye thread;
• the same actions are performed on the opposite wall;
• markings around the installation are made with a distance of 5 cm from the frame;
• then the horizontal surfaces are marked, for this we need a corner;
• we place a corner to the wall at the intersection with the floor and draw a line perpendicular to the vertical mark at an angle of 90 degrees;
• We perform the same actions on the other side;
• on the ceiling we do the same;
• draw a parallel line above the installation, level with a deviation of 4 cm.

The marking can be considered completed. We begin to install the metal frame.

Markings applied to walls, floors and ceilings

Materials

How to choose and install louvered doors for a closet: painting, maintenance, repair

The classification of products for decorating cabinets in the toilet is also carried out, taking into account the type of raw materials used for the manufacture of functional structural elements. Today, consumers have several options to choose from

Wooden

Wood is a widely used material for the manufacture of sashes of various modifications. In order for the product to have a long service life, it is worth taking into account the specifics of the room where the wooden sashes will be installed, namely high humidity, in light of which the products will require pre-treatment with protective compounds that will prevent deformation of natural raw materials from contact with a humid environment.

Chipboard

Budget material used for the manufacture of sashes. Such raw materials are quite suitable for making your own doors to a sanitary cabinet. Chipboard doors are easy to install and are secured using standard hinges.

Tile

This material is in demand for structures with invisible doors. This option is in demand when you want to hide the cabinet from view, but at the same time make the most of the existing niche.

Mirror models

A popular and attractive option for cabinet doors, which will be relevant for combined or separate bathrooms. A special feature of this model is the ability to visually expand the area of ​​the room and emphasize the design of the walls in this area. You can implement a similar idea of ​​​​designing a functional design by purchasing a finished product or by independently attaching the mirror to an additional fixing material, which can be plywood.

Plastic products

This category of products includes modern versions of blind doors, roller shutters, and classic swing doors are also made from polymers. The raw material is in demand due to its wide color palette, resistance to dampness and contact with water, in addition, the material is easy to care for.

Textile

Textile door options will be no less attractive and functional. The fabric can have a special impregnation, thanks to which it will remain resistant to moisture and will also keep its shape. Thanks to this design, you can make an interesting and bright accent in the room, in harmony with the overall style.

Glass

A beautiful and functional variety that allows you to make your closet beautiful and practical. The variety of textures, as well as the possibility of applying various patterns, makes glass doors quite popular among consumers. In addition to its visual appeal, this material is notable for its long service life, which will be important for rooms with high levels of humidity.

Ready-made solutions for DIY installation ↑

After counting the points where it is necessary to install rotary wells, the type of container is selected. Manufacturers offer a sufficient number of ready-made structures of different sizes. The main materials from which sewage tanks are made:

Reinforced concrete.

Fiberglass.

Polypropylene, polyethylene.

Polypropylene rotary wells

For home sewage systems, rotary wells are made from composite and polymer materials. Designs of different configurations, with the possibility of selecting a finished product with full preparation for pipe routing.

Holes for tapping are made in sizes equal to standard pipe diameters

If the container is intended for both inspection and repair, select a tank with a larger diameter. The height of finished products varies. In non-standard conditions, prefabricated plastic structures with fasteners for installing rings are used.

Polyethylene wells are multilayer products made using seamless technology. The material is sealed, but quite soft: in hard rocks with a lot of stones, an empty tank can deform under soil pressure.

Factory rotary wells with splitters

Polypropylene wells are highly durable and can be installed in any conditions. The construction is welded. The walls are made with stiffeners.

Plastic container with a sealed hatch

Fiberglass products are used when working at great depths, in complex rocks, and in soils with high year-round groundwater levels. Heavy-duty walls can withstand increased loads. Such wells are installed at the junctions of branches of central sewer mains.

Composite Swivel Tank

Advantages of polymer products:

Low price.

Light weight.

Easy to transport and install.

Finished rings made of reinforced concrete are installed as reinforced rotary control wells. Products with particularly low wall permeability are chosen - such concrete does not allow groundwater to pass into the container.

Standard ring sizes

Structures of varying levels of complexity are assembled from reinforced concrete parts. Main parts for assembling a rotary well:

A plate up to 20 cm thick to protect the wiring. Select the product according to the turning diameter.

Rings: factory products with locks are connected to each other until the required height is achieved. When ordering individually, manufacturers can make holes for the entry and exit of pipes according to the drawing.

Necks and ceilings with lids. The neck is equipped with a ladder and a hatch cover.

Parts for assembling a reinforced concrete tank

Tips and tricks for use and care

Review of locks for metal cabinets, what models are available

Professional plumbers give several recommendations for the further operation of inspection hatches:

• The hinges of the plumbing hatch must be periodically lubricated with appropriate means, for example, lithol.
• Over time, the door may sag slightly under load. To make adjustments, use a hex wrench to correct the position of the hinges, and, consequently, the door.

Plastic and metal hatches are gradually losing popularity, giving way to invisible hatches that meet modern design requirements. These products have a presentable appearance, but have complex installation.

Plastic doors for sanitary cabinets

Plastic doors for a toilet cabinet are the easiest to install and, importantly, will fit seamlessly into any interior. Another important advantage of plastic products is moisture resistance and resistance to other types of influence.

Plastic doors come in a wide variety of designs, which allows you to choose a model for any style solution

A wide color palette provides plastic products with enviable popularity

Such doors are easy to clean; a simple damp cloth is enough, and in case of heavy contamination, you can use various cleaning agents without fear of harming the material.

Plumbing doors

In apartment buildings, all communication systems run along the wall of the bathroom, supplying clean water and removing liquid waste, which does not paint the sanitary room at all. It is also worth noting the small dimensions of the toilet, which should be taken into account when trying to disguise communications. The optimal solution was sanitary cabinets or doors.

The design of the product allows you to stylishly disguise communication systems, while maintaining easy access to them.

A sanitary cabinet can imitate a wall lined with tiles or stone, look like a full-fledged piece of furniture, or disguise itself as horizontal blinds. An interesting stylistic solution would be the door to the toilet in the same color and format as the door of the sanitary cabinet behind the toilet. This set of doors is produced by some manufacturers, and the product can also be made to order in organizations that provide similar services.

The small size of the bathroom does not allow the installation of full-fledged sliding door structures, so most often the communication is sheathed with moisture-resistant slabs, in which a small niche is left for the doors. The small size makes it possible to install hinged doors that provide access to equipment, for example, a boiler or water heater. But most often, one or two doors are installed, fixed on special fasteners on the inside of the niche, which, if necessary, can be easily removed and inserted back.

Roller shutters of suitable size are made to order, made of lightweight, yet durable, moisture- and wash-resistant materials.

Materials needed to close the pipes in the toilet in a box

A false wall and box are the most common way to disguise pipelines in a cramped apartment.

To work you will need:

• sheet of wall plasterboard or PVC (as an option, sandwich panel);
• profiles and dowels for them (on average three for each rack and guide);
• metal screws;
• putty and finishing materials (this could be tiles, wallpaper, paint or emulsion).

To decide on the material for cladding, you need to take into account the humidity in the room, financial capabilities and construction skills.

On a note

. You can use a sandwich panel coated with polymer or already covered with plasterboard. This will reduce the work time, since you will not need to cover the frame yourself.

Tools you will need: a tape measure, a level, a drill, a screwdriver, a knife for cutting drywall, sandpaper for cleaning up cuts, a spatula and, if necessary, a brush for finishing work.

To decide on the material for sewing

, it is necessary to take into account the humidity in the room, financial capabilities and construction skills.

When installing drywall, do not allow it to touch the pipelines. Condensation getting on the drywall will significantly reduce the service life of the box.

• Drywall
  can absorb moisture, which can lead to mold or mildew. However, they are easier to sew and cost less. The price of a standard sheet is 215 rubles (Knauf) (you can read more about the sizes of gypsum board sheets and calculation rules).
• Sheathing with plastic (PVC)
  is more difficult, but it is moisture resistant and durable. In addition, PVC does not require finishing work - the panel can be of any color. The price is correspondingly higher. But do not forget that by purchasing PVC, you can save on wallpaper or tiles. The price of packing panels for ten sheets is from 700 rubles (size 1 by 6 meters, thickness centimeter).
• Sandvi h-panel
  , in addition to moisture resistance, also has such an important quality as the ability to retain heat. After all, its base is made of insulation (expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foam or mineral wool). The cost is comparable to plastic panels - from 800 rubles per square meter (one centimeter thick).

Installation of the box always starts from the bottom of the wall. The profile (bottom guide) is cut to size and attached to the floor using dowels

Differences between plumbing and interior doors

The main difference between sanitary ware and interior tiles is their smaller size. Back in Soviet times, during the construction of multi-storey buildings with small-sized apartments, standard sizes of door leaves in hygienic rooms were introduced: 1.9 m high and 0.55-0.6 m wide.

The second important difference is the material of manufacture, which should be light and moisture resistant. The lightness of the material is necessary due to the thinness of partition walls in sanitary premises, and resistance to moisture allows the product to maintain its shape and aesthetic appearance throughout its service life.

No. 5. Mechanism and control

Depending on the type of control, toilet roller shutters can be:

• mechanical (driven by human efforts);
• automatic (set in motion by an electric drive after pressing a button on the wall or on the remote control).

There is no great sense in using an electric drive in sanitary roller shutters - these are not heavy structures, and they do not need to be opened very often. If you consider that a design with automatic control is much more expensive, then this option can be safely dismissed.

, a mechanical drive is best suited . As a rule, two options are used:

• belt drive is based on a belt that is attached to the shaft and the belt roller. A person only needs to pull the tape to activate the structure. This is a simple and cheap mechanism that can handle loads of up to 15 kg. In terms of convenience, this is not the best solution; it requires more effort than a spring-inertia mechanism. Such roller shutters cannot be fixed in an intermediate position. For openings less than 52 cm wide, a belt drive is the only option;

• spring-inertia drive – the most modern and convenient. The design is designed so that it can be fixed in any position, i.e. if necessary, you can only open the opening slightly if access to the entire space is not required. The control handle is located on the lower guide. The process of raising and lowering such mechanisms is as simple as possible, but with a structure width of less than 52 cm, it is impossible to place a spring in it, so the drive cannot be called universal.

Types of door configurations for sanitary cabinets

There are a lot of options for what doors can be. You can consider various materials for manufacturing: drywall, plywood, wood, chipboard, tile, mirror and so on. Each of these options has both its advantages and disadvantages.

Hinged doors made of natural wood coated with clear varnish

Double door wardrobe with laminated chipboard doors

According to the type of configuration, you can also choose from a variety of options: standard doors with a traditional opening method, shutters of the blind type, compartment doors, invisible doors or batten doors. It is the last two options that are used most often due to their convenience.

In the photo there are compartment doors made across the entire wall of the toilet

The photo shows a narrow hinged door made of frosted glass

Invisible door

Typically this option is used for painting or tiles. These designs have many advantages, because their design is as well thought out as possible. They close well (tightly), and at the same time allow easy access to meters and other communications.

Such a door is practically invisible and does not attract attention in the interior, because its outlines merge with the tile seams. They have many options for decoration: it can be marble, mirrors, artificial or natural stone. A special mechanism allows you to open the hatch using a pressing motion. The installation must be carried out at the same time as the installation of the cabinet walls, after which it, together with the walls of the room, is lined.

It is better to entrust the installation of such a structure to professionals, since the installation process has many nuances.

Doors with lathing

This option is quite simple and convenient, and it will not cost much at all. Doors with lathing are suitable for any plumbing cabinet. The main thing is to take measurements in advance and purchase the appropriate furniture. Typically, the material for making such doors is wood or PVC. They are easy to install, but you need to prepare the frame block, fastening the hinges and the lock in advance. If the doors are made of wood, take care to cover them with varnish or stain. Plastic specimens do not require additional processing.

Doors with bars provide ventilation to the cabinet and help create a neat interior

The structure of the lathing allows for good ventilation inside the cabinet, but significantly reduces sound insulation.

The photo shows lattice doors covering the boiler for heating water.

Types of utility wiring

Before designing the wiring, you should become familiar with what types of such structures exist. There are only three of them. Moreover, one, with pass-through sockets, is practically not used. Therefore, we will not consider it.

Type #1. Serial type wiring

To implement this, taps are made from the cold and hot water supply risers leading to the first consumer. Pipes are laid from it to the second and further. Each water collection point is equipped with a tee, to one of the outlets of which the consumer is connected.

Overall this is a very simple scheme. It can only be used where the number of water consumers is small.

This is due to the fact that if several water collection points are activated simultaneously, the pressure in them will weaken and may be insufficient for the correct operation of the equipment. This is the main disadvantage of series wiring.

However, for apartments with one bathroom and a small amount of plumbing used, this may be the best option. A significant drawback of the system is the inability to turn off one of the plumbing fixtures for replacement or repair.

Serial wiring is extremely simple to implement, but not very convenient to use. However, for small bathrooms this solution may be quite acceptable.

There are many more advantages to sequential wiring. First of all, it is simplicity in design and installation. There will be no complex schemes here, everything is done very simply.

In addition, such wiring is considered the most economical option. The consumption of pipes and other elements will be significantly lower than in other systems, and installation costs are also minimal.

Even a novice plumber can handle the design and subsequent installation of sequential, otherwise tee, wiring

Type #2. Collector type of wiring

The collector type scheme involves connecting each of the consumers to the main line. For this, a special element is used, which is called a collector - a device that distributes water flows.

In a more complex version, and this is best, each collector outlet is equipped with a shut-off valve. Collector-type wiring can be considered the most convenient option to use. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, the absence of pressure drops in the system. All consumers receive equally good water pressure, even if all water points operate simultaneously.

If the pressure in the system of an apartment or private house is too low for some reason, you can temporarily limit the water supply to one of the consumers, for example, to the toilet, thereby increasing the pressure for others.

The collector type of wiring is more convenient to use than the serial type. In this case, a separate line goes to each consumer, which guarantees no problems with pressure. However, such a system turns out to be more complex in design and installation.

Secondly, the ability to disconnect plumbing fixtures from the water supply if they need replacement or repair.

Thirdly, reliability. In fact, a single pipe goes to each consumer, without any connections or other elements. A leak can only appear in the collector area or near the device itself. Here it will be very easy to find. For this reason, pipes with manifold wiring can be safely installed using a hidden method.

Fourthly, ease of use. If there is a problem with a plumbing fixture and a leak appears, for example, at a faucet, you do not need to crawl under the sink. It is enough to close the shut-off valve on the manifold leading to the faulty device and wait for the specialists to arrive.

Even a woman or child unfamiliar with plumbing can do this. At the same time, all other equipment will work properly.

Professionals recommend using manifolds with shut-off valves for installation in water supply systems. With their help, if necessary, you can easily stop the water supply to a branch or plumbing fixture in need of repair.

However, collector wiring also has some disadvantages. First of all, it will cost the owner more than a sequential circuit. This is due to the fact that it will be necessary to lay a branch to each consumer. This will take a lot more material.

In addition, the installation of manifolds and shut-off valves will be required if the distributors are not equipped with them. And the circuit itself will be much more complicated than a sequential one.

Components of a sanitary cabinet

Being an indispensable component of the room, the toilet needs proper arrangement. In order to improve ergonomics, it is equipped with a small wall structure - a plumbing cabinet. It is intended for the following purposes:

1. Masking of communications. The opportunity to hide pipes in a compact piece of furniture looks tempting, especially if the room is not large. In addition, this solution allows you to increase the aesthetic appeal of the room and get rid of the problem of exposed communications.
2. The emergence of an additional niche for placing bathroom care products and household chemicals. The design can be divided into several zones using shelves, which will make it more spacious and functional.
3. Free access to important meters and plumbing components.
4. Easy to troubleshoot.

When arranging a plumbing closet for a toilet, you need to make sure that it can accommodate the following elements:

1. The cleaning filter is a dirt trap. The design is designed to increase the service life of mixers by deeply purifying water from many impurities and solid particles. The absence of a mud trap will lead to rapid wear of important components of plumbing equipment.
2. Water meters. Designed to save money, because... they determine the true cost of water costs and prevent homeowners from having to overpay the tariff.
3. Check valves. The task of the nodes is to provide balanced counter functionality. If a pressure difference occurs, this increases the likelihood of water overflow and does not allow you to manually change the values ​​of the water meter. Due to this feature, the installation of sensors is provided for in the standards of management companies.
4. Collectors. Designed for uniform distribution of water.
5. Water pressure reducers. The devices absorb pressure surges and restore normal operating conditions.

If the plumbing cabinet has the required dimensions, you can install equipment for heating water in it. It can be either cumulative or flow-through.

Technical Application

Due to their high air permeability, metal louvered doors have become widespread. Wooden structures cannot provide sufficient protection against intruders. And metal blinds combine the ability to create a reliable barrier and provide ventilation and maintain temperature conditions. Therefore, they are very often used - steel blinds can be seen at substations, louvered doors are used where there is equipment that generates a lot of heat.

At home, the property of blinds to allow air to pass through is also used practically. Use in the toilet to get rid of condensation and mold has already been mentioned.

Another common case is decorative wooden louvered panels on heating radiators. They allow warm air to pass freely, while at the same time serving as an excellent decoration and part of the style of the room.

Types of doors for bathroom cabinets

The main function of a plumbing cabinet is to conceal fixtures and equipment. However, when arranging the structure, it is necessary to ensure free access to the toilet and the main components of communication systems. For this reason, toilet doors must open and close freely.

To cope with this task, you need to choose the right type of door. In particular, you can choose from the following options:

• Hinged doors. This option can be called the standard opening method.
• Invisible doors.
• Framed doors.
• Louvre doors in the toilet.
• Sliding doors.

The installation of each type of plumbing toilet door must be carried out in accordance with its characteristics in order to prevent the formation of bevels and other defects. Otherwise, the appearance of the entire structure may be spoiled.

Covering the pipes with plastic panels

A box or false wall made of PVC panels is another cheap and practical way to hide sewer and water pipes in the toilet. Plastic is not afraid of moisture and fungus, it is durable and lightweight, and easy to care for.

This method is appropriate if the entire bathroom is lined with PVC panels: then the box will fit perfectly into the interior. Installation of products with the right approach will not cause difficulties and will not take much time.

In the event of an accident when dismantling the structure, the material will not be damaged - this is especially true for pipes that are not insured against leaks. After eliminating the damage, the box can be easily put back together.

In the photo, the sewer pipes in the toilet are hidden in a box made of plastic panels. Other walls are covered with ceramic tiles, but the finishing material is matched to match, so the difference is not immediately obvious.

Tools and materials

To cover the pipes in the toilet with PVC panels, you will need:

• Level.
• Roulette.
• Self-tapping screws, European screws and dowels.
• Sharp knife.
• Metal profiles or wooden blocks.
• Plastic panels for finishing.
• Special hatches.
• Skirting boards designed to mask joints.
• A jigsaw or hacksaw if the frame is made of wood.
• Screwdriver.

The photo shows fittings for plastic panels: finishing profile, connecting profile, internal corner and external corner.

Step-by-step instruction

1. We take the necessary measurements, draw a drawing, taking into account the holes for access to the pipe distribution and meters. We start working with the supporting profiles: vertical and horizontal guides (or wooden posts) will determine the size of the box or partition. We attach them to the walls using European screws and dowels.
2. To reliably cover pipes and other communications in the toilet with plastic panels, it is necessary to add jumpers. To do this, measure out equal sections 50 cm long. Next, install the starting profile, securing it around the perimeter with small screws.
3. We install decorative panels in accordance with the instructions. If the sheathing is smooth, then there will be no problems with installation.
4. We cut inspection holes and close them with hatches. One of the panels can be secured with silicone sealant to provide access to the pipeline elements. At the joints we install plastic corners and plinths, fix them with glue or “liquid nails”. PVC plates are both the main and finishing materials, which is why they are so popular in Russia. The photo shows how neat the back wall of the toilet began to look after masking the pipes.

What is a plumbing hatch

Plumbing hatch in the bathroom

The inspection hatch is a product consisting of a frame, hinges and a door, which is secured with a lock.

The advantages of such elements:

• compliance with technical requirements and standards for ensuring access to water supply communications: threaded connections, meters, taps;
• neat and presentable appearance;
• allow you to hide unaesthetic elements of plumbing: filters, pipes, water heater, meters.

The inspection hatch in the bathroom can be installed as:

• a window providing access to the bathtub;
• plumbing door behind the toilet in the toilet;
• the door of a separate cabinet, equipped in a plasterboard box.

After installation of the product, it resembles a cabinet with plumbing fixtures located behind the door.

Masking pipes - a necessity or a whim?

So, your toilet is probably no exception, and it, like most rooms of this type, has water supply connections. Should they be closed? Only the homeowner can answer this question, based on the general style of the apartment and his own aesthetic ideas. We can only say with certainty that closed pipes are:

• aesthetically pleasing;
• convenient (easy to clean);
• functional.

There is an opinion that first you will have to replace the old iron pipes with modern plastic ones, and only then mask them. This is partly true: it is more convenient, safer and more practical. However, if replacement of the water supply is not planned or is postponed, the pipes in the toilet will continue to spoil the overall appearance.

Characteristics of materials for water supply pipes

Types of ventilation in sanitary doors

Forced ventilation in the wall facing the street can minimize the risk of mold on bathroom/toilet surfaces and musty, heavy air. Ventilation holes in the sanitary door, which can have different sizes and shapes, also allow for the flow of fresh air. In some products, holes are drilled in the lower part and decorated with plastic or other coating; in others, these holes are covered with a grill.

The grille can be rectangular in shape, slightly smaller in width and arbitrary height, or it can be presented in the form of round plastic windows, which can be removed and washed if desired.

A radical way to hide pipes

One of the most labor-intensive methods is to install pipes in the bathroom in a hidden way. But it makes it possible to “kill two birds with one stone”: hide unsightly communications and make the bathroom more spacious.

When choosing a radical method of hiding pipes, keep in mind that, according to building codes, it is not allowed to trench brick and thin-walled partitions of panel houses

When implementing the method, it is very important to provide measures that minimize the risk of leaks:

• there should be no detachable connections in the wall;
• for installation, use polypropylene pipes and fittings, which are convenient to solder into one piece;
• Grooves for laying hot and cold pipes must be equipped with sleeves made of thermoflex or foam rubber.

The use of a sleeve made of insulating material will relieve cold pipes from condensation and allow hot pipes to expand under the influence of temperature.

Design Features

The plumbing cabinet is installed on the wall directly behind the toilet. Its main task is to provide the room with aesthetic appeal and protect elements of communication systems from various mechanical damage. Also inside the cabinet you can place several shelves on which hygiene products and household chemicals are stored.

When arranging a sanitary cabinet, you should pay attention to the internal configuration, since its capacity depends on this. However, other components of this design also cannot be ignored.

In particular, we are talking about sanitary cabinet doors. The specific design of these elements, appearance and material of manufacture are of great importance. The degree of protection of devices and instruments located inside the cabinet, the appearance of the finished structure and the efficiency of its use depend on this

It is very important not only to hide measuring instruments, taps and pipes, but also to ensure their accessible location in the interior space.

The second way is to buy a ready-made box

Another option is to use a pipe box. This could be the construction of a home-made structure or the purchase of a finished factory product. The second method is simpler.

The shape and size of the purchased boxes allows you to choose exactly the option that will successfully disguise the outer parts of the pipeline not only in the toilet, but also hide the heating pipes in other rooms.

A significant drawback is that ready-made boxes cannot be used in bathrooms with complex geometry of communication systems. This is when there are a lot of pipes and they are randomly located throughout the room.

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Metal box to protect communications

A plastic box will help hide the pipes

You can choose the desired color of the box

Ready-made extruded polystyrene box

As for the material and color of the finished structure, there is room for the buyer’s imagination to run wild - it can be chosen to suit almost any room design.

When the desired color is missing from the palette of the material you like, this can be corrected with the help of moisture-resistant paint and a brush.

The improved structure can be installed only after the paint has completely dried. You should look at the jar for the exact time - the manufacturer must indicate this information on the label of its products.

The plastic box has an aesthetic appearance and, if necessary, can be easily dismantled to gain access to the pipe

The installation process is extremely simple - you need to measure the required length with a tape measure and, after marking it with a pencil, carefully cut off the excess part of the structure.

Then attach the box to the wall with fasteners or liquid nails - it all depends on the type of material from which the structure is made and the manufacturer’s recommendations for its installation.

Dimensions and door design for sanitary cabinet

As a rule, the dimensions of the door in the toilet behind the toilet correspond to the dimensions of the cabinet structure. It should be taken into account that these dimensions are individually selected for each room.

Doors must provide easy access to plumbing services

When choosing and purchasing doors or materials for their manufacture, do not forget about the basic installation requirements.

• Small doors (secret) are installed if access to the meter and communications is necessary. It is better to make them with additional windows.
• If we are talking about installing specimens at the full height of the wall, then installation can be done when the pipes are on the surface and positioned vertically.
• For medium-sized options (for example, 55*190 cm), you can consider placing shelves for storing household items.
• When calculating the depth of the box, keep in mind that it should be sufficient to carry out repair work using various tools, because it is often necessary to replace some components.

The placement of doors depends on the location of pipes, meters and other plumbing fixtures

As for design and decoration, there are many options for decorating the facade of such a cabinet. Let's look at the most popular of them:

• Mirror doors. They visually increase the space, and this is a big plus. However, any touch leaves fingerprints on the surface, so cleaning will need to be done more often.
• Roller shutters with a metallic shade. They will look especially advantageous in a modern-style interior. If the interior is made in bright colors, then it is better to give preference to bright colors in the design of the structure.
• Special stickers, photo printing, etc. are suitable for decoration.
• Also, as an additional design, you can use spotlights on the doors, inlays on wooden materials, and tiling.

Blinds

Blinds are one of the easiest ways to hide pipes.

1. Firstly, it’s cheap: prices depend on the required size and city, but on average you can count on 700 rubles.
2. Secondly, to order blinds for the toilet, you do not need to call measurers and somehow complicate the process, since there are no subtleties in this. Measure the opening with a regular tape measure and contact us immediately to order.
3. Thirdly, blinds are easy to install, since they only need to be screwed to the wall.

If desired, the blinds can also be fixed to the ceiling, but it will depend on its finish.

Another advantage of blinds is the ability to choose them in any color and shade. The classic option is white horizontal aluminum blinds. As practice shows, they fit best into the interior.

But among the shortcomings, it is definitely worth noting that it is not the greatest ease of use. If the pipes are simply hidden behind the blinds and the space is not used in any way, no problem. However, if behind them there are shelves with frequently used things, raising and lowering the blinds every time will not be very convenient. In this case, it is better to pay attention to the doors.

Doors to the toilet for a plumbing cabinet - the 2 most common options

Louvered doors for sanitary cabinets

The biggest advantage of louvered toilet doors is that they are made of moisture-resistant plastic and PVC. It is the appearance that often raises doubts: it will not fit into every interior and not everyone will like it, however, for some design solutions it will be a very good choice.

If we consider this option from a practicality point of view, we must take into account that when opened, the blind system goes up. Access, of course, does not block, but the part of the door that gathers at the top goes into the mechanism, which takes up a significant space in the upper part of the opening. The lower part, made of this material, will require a large number of modifications.

Louvered doors can have an open top frame or a closed one built inside a niche

Well, there is one more significant drawback - the ability to install only in a completely finished opening. If the repairs in the toilet have not yet been completed, the walls have not been leveled, tiles have not been laid or wallpaper has not been pasted, then you should not install louvered doors in the toilet. otherwise, during installation there will be gaps that will need to be corrected.

Roller shutters

Remember the roller shutters that are often used to close small retail establishments at night? Similar roller shutters to hide pipes can be made in the toilet. They are distinguished by their rigid design and are quite convenient to use. There are two disadvantages:

• Relatively high cost. For example, plumbing roller shutters measuring 80x100 cm can easily cost about 5,000 rubles, depending on the city.
• Large folding box. See the ledge in the next photo? This is where the blinds roll up. The cassette can also be placed inside the “cabinet”, but only if space allows.

An example with a box inside is just in the next photo.

If you are confused by the “cold” and uncomfortable appearance of roller shutters, know that they can also be in color or even with a pattern.

Materials for the manufacture of sanitary doors

When manufacturing door blocks for sanitary premises, manufacturers focus on moisture-resistant materials and coatings:

Glass is resistant to water and steam, easy to clean, and retains its original appearance for many years. The safety and strength of the material is ensured by hardening or the triplex system. If there is a possibility of a fight, the tempered glass is showered with small crumbs that are not capable of harming a person. Triplex is made of several thin layers of glass glued together with a special film polymer, so in the event of a fight, all the fragments remain glued to the film. Glass design involves various effects (matte, mirror reflection, tinting, corrugation, etc.) and fittings or inserts made of durable and lightweight aluminum.

Solid PVC plastic is inert to moisture and temperatures; due to its polymer composition, it is not suitable for the emergence and development of mold and fungal spores. The main advantage is the ability to make the product according to individual sizes, in any stylistic decision and shade.

Chipboard panels impregnated with a special composition with moisture-repellent properties. The panels are usually finished with natural veneer or eco-veneer. The only drawback of doors is their heaviness, which is why manufacturers usually produce doors whose inner part consists of many empty cells, reminiscent of a honeycomb, which is sheathed on both sides with chipboards of small thickness, and then comes the thinnest layer of coating.

Solid wood. Products made from natural solid wood are characterized by a high level of strength and reliability, and have a luxurious appearance. The wood blank for the door must be thoroughly dried in production, soaked in several layers of antiseptic and moisture-repellent compounds, and then tinted in the required color. Wooden doors are quite heavy, so they are not suitable for installation in rooms with thin walls. There is also a possibility of buying a counterfeit product, the material for which has not been completely dried and treated with compounds, which will ultimately lead to the appearance of mold, bacteria and bugs inside the wood.

Installation nuances

Installing the simplest samples of blinds yourself will not be difficult. Difficulties arise when working with more complex structures. In such cases, you need to contact professionals.

What you need to consider when installing it yourself:

• accuracy of measurements;
• availability of special tools;
• correctly selected fasteners.

If the curtain should not cover the entire wall, then 2 cm is added to the size of the opening on both sides. You can drill holes with a screwdriver or a hammer drill; the choice depends on the material of the walls. Hardware must be made of high quality steel. Products equipped with an electric drive should never be installed independently, since in the event of a breakdown, the warranty will not apply.