Toilet - To redo or overlay ?

Redo or Overlay Your Toilet? Here’s What You Should Know Before Deciding

Congrats on getting your keys! Now comes the big question—should you redo your toilet or just overlay it? It’s a common decision many homeowners face, and hopefully this post gives you a clearer idea of what might work best for you.

Here are some common reasons why homeowners choose to redo their toilets completely instead of just overlaying:

1. Waterproofing Issues

If your waterproofing is already failing—like leaking to your downstairs neighbour or through the wall—it’s a sign to redo. Every material, including waterproofing, has a lifespan. Over time, there might be ground settlement or hairline cracks due to expansion and contraction, which can cause the waterproof membrane to fail. Since the membrane follows the substrate, it cracks along with it. That’s when a full redo is needed.

2. Relocation of Sink, Floor Waste, etc.

If you're planning to shift your basin or change your shower area, new plumbing work is required. This includes installing new floor waste pipes or relocating discharge pipes. And when you move your shower area, you’ll need to redo the waterproofing for that area too. Showers should ideally have waterproofing done up to 2m in height, unlike dry areas which only need about 300mm.

3. Accessibility for Elderly or Wheelchair Users

Some households have elderly family members or wheelchair users, and kerbs become a problem. Having to push a wheelchair over a kerb can be difficult and unsafe. In such cases, owners usually request for a drop-down area or step-down, so the wheelchair can roll in easily. A full renovation makes this possible.

4. Hollow Tiles

Sometimes, the existing toilet tiles are already hollow. Over the years, this hollowness spreads because of regular use. Overlaying on top of hollow tiles is not advised, as the tiles underneath may give way, causing the new tiles to pop up eventually.

5. Old Toilet – Time to Upgrade Everything

If your toilet is old, it’s probably time to redo more than just the look. It’s the perfect chance to change out old water pipes, electrical wiring, and redo the waterproofing. A full upgrade can help prevent bigger issues down the road.

6. Already Overlayed with Tiles, Epoxy, Vinyl, etc.

By regulation, it’s not legal to overlay a toilet that’s already been overlayed. This adds too much weight to the floor slab and can affect its structural safety. Also, if the existing layer is epoxy, we don’t overlay on it as epoxy tends to debond over time, and your tiles may become hollow later on. As for vinyl, that can be removed first, but it still depends on the condition of the tiles underneath. If your toilet has already been overlayed once, it’s better to redo it properly.

For HDB Flat Owners – Consider HIP (Home Improvement Programme)

If you’re staying in an HDB flat, keep in mind that HDB offers the HIP (Home Improvement Programme) at around the 30-year and again at the 60–70-year mark. And it’s a lot cheaper than doing it privately.

• Private contractor (redo 1 toilet): ~$7,000

• HDB HIP cost: ~$1,000

The cost difference is huge. Also, HDB’s tile designs have improved a lot—they’re more modern and stylish compared to the small, outdated tiles from the past.

My recommendation?

• If your flat is less than 20 years, overlay is fine if there are no major issues.

• If it’s between 20 and 28 years, think about whether it’s worth waiting for HIP.

• If you’re close to 30 years and haven’t gone through HIP yet, I’d say just wait for it. The cost savings are really worth it.

Do note: if you choose to skip HIP, your toilet must pass a waterproofing test. We do our waterproofing according to BCA GIP standards, so if you renovate with us now, you’ll be future-ready and can potentially skip HIP when it comes.

One More Tip – If Your Piping Is Concealed

If your pipes are concealed, I really recommend redoing them during the renovation. No point spending so much to renovate, only to have a pipe leak later. You’ll have to hack the tiles again to fix it, which just adds cost and trouble. Better to settle everything in one go.

Hope this blog post helps in your decision-making process.If you’re still unsure, feel free to reach out to us—we’re happy to offer a non-obligatory site visit and give you the best advice based on your flat and your needs.

Enjoy your renovation journey, and talk soon!