Bought a social housing apartment — how can you add an extra toilet?

You’ve just received your 55m² social housing apartment — an exciting milestone. But reality quickly sets in: there’s only one bathroom for a family of 4–5 people, all needing it during busy mornings. Or perhaps your apartment includes a master bedroom without an en-suite toilet.

You want to renovate, but the building management clearly states:
 “No floor drilling. No modifications to the shared plumbing system.”

So what can you do?

This is a common challenge faced by thousands of social housing residents — and this article provides a clear solution.

Key highlights

• Context: Social housing is growing rapidly, but most units are designed with only one toilet and fixed plumbing systems.
• Problem: Adding a toilet the traditional way is not feasible due to restrictions on drilling and modifying drainage systems.
• Solution: SFA Pumps macerator technology enables flexible wastewater collection and pumping without relying on gravity.
• Result: Install an additional toilet quickly and neatly without affecting the building structure or violating regulations.

The reality of social housing in 2026 and the toilet renovation challenge

According to the latest announcement from the Ministry of Construction, Vietnam aims to complete 158,700 social housing units in 2026, a 1.5x increase compared to 2025. Ho Chi Minh City alone targets 28,500 units.

While this is great news for low-income households, most apartments range from 45 to 70m², featuring minimalist designs and fixed plumbing layouts.

Common limitations:

• Only one bathroom per unit
• Pre-installed drainage points that cannot be relocated
• Strict prohibition on floor drilling or altering technical systems
• Traditional toilet additions are nearly impossible

Why traditional toilet installation doesn’t work in apartments

Conventional toilets rely on gravity-based drainage, which requires:

• Existing drainage pipes directly beneath the floor
• Floor drilling to reposition pipes
• Proper slope for wastewater flow

In apartments — especially social housing — drilling the concrete floor not only violates regulations but also risks structural damage and affects units below.

The solution: SFA Pumps macerator — install a toilet without floor drilling

SFA Pumps macerator systems, part of the Sanitoilet solution, allow wastewater to be collected and pumped without relying on underground drainage systems.

How it works:

• Wastewater enters the macerating unit
• The system grinds and collects waste
• Wastewater is pumped through small pipes (22–32mm)
• Pipes can run along walls or ceilings
• Discharge connects to the nearest main drainage point

Performance:

• Up to 100m horizontally
• Up to 5m vertically

Benefits of using SFA Pumps for social housing apartments

• No floor drilling — fully compliant with building regulations
• Installation completed within one day
• Small pipes — easy to conceal within walls or furniture
• Quiet operation (<46dB), ideal for apartment living
• Cost-effective compared to traditional renovation

Recommended SFA Pumps products for social housing

When should you install an additional toilet with SFA Pumps?

• Your apartment has only one bathroom
• You want an en-suite toilet for a bedroom
• No drainage pipe near the installation location
• Floor drilling is not allowed

Read more: Renovation solution for an apartment adding a toilet and relocating the kitchen

Conclusion

Living in a compact social housing apartment doesn’t mean compromising your comfort.

With solutions from SFA Pumps Vietnam, you can easily add a toilet or bathroom without floor drilling, without structural impact, and fully compliant with building regulations.

Contact SFA Pumps Vietnam today for a free consultation tailored to your apartment.