Most of us have wondered about the weight limit of wall mounted toilets when trying to decide on a wall mounted toilet to buy.
The average wall mounted toilet weight limit is 500 pounds (226.8 kg). 500 pounds is the minimum weight limit requirement for wall hung toilets, set by the US ASME National Consensus Standards. All wall toilets sold in the US adhere to this weight limit requirement.
Obviously, weight limit of different wall hung toilets varies from model to model. So here are three of the most popular and best wall hung toilets and how much weight loads they can support:
- 880 pounds – TOTO Aquia Wall-Hung Dual-Flush Toilet when used with TOTO In-wall Tank System (Source: reply to my inquiry from Toto USA Ambassador on Home Depot)
- 500+ pounds – KOHLER Veil Wall-Hung Toilet (Source: Kohler website)
- 500+ pounds – American Standard Glenwall Wall Toilet (Source: Q&A reply on Home Depot)
According to statistics, the average American man weighs around 196 pounds and the average American woman weighs around 166 pounds. So the minimum weight capacity of 500 pounds in wall mounted toilets is more than adequate for normal household use.
US Regulations For Wall Hung Toilet Weight Limit
In general, all wall hung toilets sold in America are required to support a minimum 500 pounds of load requirement set by the ASME A112.19.2-2005/CSA B4 5.1-05 National Consensus Standards for Vitreous China Plumbing Fixtures. But as we saw above the maximum weight limit of various wall mounted toilet bowls is normally even higher than 500 pounds depending on the brand and model.
On the other hand there are no standards that specify a minimum weight limit requirement for floor mounted standard toilets. The average standard toilet weight limit is around 1000 pounds (453kg). So on average it seems wall mounted toilets have only around half the weight capacity of normal toilets.
How To Increase Your Wall Hung Toilet Weight Limit
Since maximum weight limit is a major concern with wall hung toilets here are some details to help ensure your wall hung toilets can support the maximum weight limit it was built for, and increase its usability and durability.
The maximum weight your wall toilet can hold will depend on four factors. They are:
1. The maximum weight limit of the wall hung toilet bowl
2. Weight limit of the concealed toilet carrier frame
3. The strength of the wall
4. Correct installation of the toilet to the carrier frame and wall.
If one of these four points is weak or loose, the soundness of your wall toilet will be impacted.
Any wall mounted toilet is as strong as its weakest link. If not installed properly there is a risk that the toilet mountings will fail and someone using it fall. Any fall, particularly one where a toilet fixture breaks away from a wall or one where the porcelain breaks, could lead to an injury. Furthermore, there is a risk of damage to the bathroom which can be costly to repair. So you need to treat your installation like defusing a bomb!
Weight Limit of Concealed Toilet Carrier Frame
For new users, it might appear flimsy to have a slab of glossy white porcelain bowl protruding from a wall, hanging in the air, and supposedly able to support a very heavy person. However, in reality when it is combined with a purpose-built steel wall-mounting frame, they can happily sustain a few hundred kilograms of weight without budging a millimetre.
Well made wall toilet carrier frames can support very heavy loads. Popular frames from Toto, Geberit and Kohler can handle in excess of 800 pounds. The Toto and Geberit 111.335.00.5 Concealed Toilet Carrier Frames support up to 880 pounds. Kohler carrier supports a similar load too. Typical wall hung toilet bowls weigh around 50-80 pounds. So when you reduced the bowl weight, still your carrier is able to support in excess of 750-800 pounds.
The Strength of the Wall
Most often with wall toilets, it’s the wall that limits a wall mounted toilet weight load than the wall toilet or carrier frame. Though the specification says the carrier frame can hold up to 880 lbs, it will mean nothing if the wall can’t match or exceed the maximum hold-up weight of the carrier. Or when the frame is not properly secured with the right material, it will also lead to problems later.
Correct Installation of Wall Mounted Toilet
You need to make sure, your wall hung toilet is installed correctly onto a sturdy wall and your toilet will be able to handle very heavy loads. It’s very important to use all the nuts and washers when you set the toilet and follow the instructions as far as tightening the acorn nuts.
This stands to reason that you need to be very selective with your choice of bathroom installer or plumber. Hire an experienced plumber who knows exactly how to install your wall hung toilet model, so it safely stands the test of time.
Safety Measures for Very Heavy Toilet Users
Properly installed your wall toilets will be able to hold the weight of almost all the people ever likely to use it, except very few severely obese individuals weighing over 500 pounds.
However, I think you might be concerned about “heavy” people with various hip/knee issues likely plonking themselves down onto the toilet rather than ease down onto it.
A great benefit of wall mount toilet is you can install it at whatever height is good for you. You are not restricted to a standard toilet height or comfort height. If you set at the proper height for you and your family members, they won’t have to “flop” down on top of the bowl. (Many people have installed wall toilets at higher comfort heights, and have got a toilet stool for their kids during potty training years)
Additional Support Fixtures
If this is the first wall-hung toilet for your home, it might seem a little “dicey” at first not to have a pedestal under the bowl. But if you properly install it, you will get used to the idea that it is not going anywhere, and you will love the look, and it is very easy to keep clean.
There are also additional support fixtures for sale that help you reduce the stress on your wall mounted toilet. For additional support, especially for heavy people, I would recommend adding a ‘Grab Bar’ if the toilet is adjacent to a wall.
Some support fixtures can even increase your wall mounted toilets weight capacity. An example are the removable Big John Products for wall toilets.
There are also ‘support platforms’ for sale that can be underneath your wall mounted toilets. Products like these support the additional weight placed on the hanging toilet by overweight, obese or severely obese individuals.
Caution In Using Public Wall Toilets If You Weigh Over 350 Pounds
If you weigh more than 350 pounds, be cautious when using public wall mounted toilets or wall toilets in someone else’s house. Even though toilets sold in America can handle 500 pounds, you never know how secure these wall mounted toilet fittings are. I heard in one hospital they typically rated wall hung toilets for a normal sized patient with a maximum weight of 350 pounds, and they directed patients with over 350 pounds to facilities with normal floor toilet.
Alternatives For Individuals Weighing Over 500 pounds?
Unfortunately, I have not come across any normal retail or commercial wall mounted toilets for sale today that are built to support higher weight loads than 500 pounds. The best alternative for them is to try one of the larger floor mounted toilet models.
In some cases, even normal floor mounted toilets are too small for severely obese people with weights in excess of 400 or 500 pounds. For weights like this, you might have to even use a special portable commode seat chairs for bariatric people.
Note: for average American households, the chances are very rare, you will ever have a visitor wanting to use your toilet who weighs in excess of 500 pounds.
America Needs New Heavy Duty Wall Mounted Toilets
Many things we discussed here points to the need for super heavy duty wall toilets. With the increase in obesity in the United States and other nations, I think toilet manufacturers and importers should look into introducing new heavy duty wall mounted toilets that can support very heavy weight people.
With average weight levels set to increase in the 21st Century, I think very soon US ASME standards will also need to be revised to increase the current 500-pound weight load requirement in wall hung toilets.
Conclusion
Generally, Americans are still skeptical about the reliability and safety of wall mounted toilets. However look at the widespread use this type of toilets in Europe. And Europeans have similar heavy builds and tall statures to Americans. In countries like Switzerland, more than 80% of loos are wall hung toilets.
Furthermore, wall mounted toilets are super easy to clean and much more elegant. And for the city dwellers, space is almost a rare commodity. Sometimes it’s impractical and expensive to have a regular tank and bowl toilet. So while you are concerned about weight loads on wall toilets, I hope it won’t let you stop from reaping the benefits this type of toilets offers.
In actuality, the wall that the toilet is mounted in front of has NO bearing on the weight bearing capability of the wall hung toilets carrying capabilities. The strength and carrying capacity is directly connected to how well the carrier, or hanger behind the wall is anchored to the floor below. I have seen carrier failure because not all the anchor points were used for the legs, weak sub floor material, and no use of the anchor rod behind the concealed carrier that stops the downward leverage from the bowl toppling the carrier over resulting in the bowl nose hitting the floor. Improper setting of the backing nuts and washers is the number one cause of the feeling of “Flexing” or moving as well as water leakage from the waste seal at the wall and repetitive leaks from the connection of flush tube to the top of the bowl. My 2 cents from a 40 year “in the trade” plumber.
The Buttress toilet support is actually a better solution for supporting a wall mounted toilet from underneath. It allows for cleaning underneath the toilet with a mop because it has a spring hinged leg at the front eliminating the risk of the support falling off.
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