New toilet fitted properly — Oldham & Greater Manchester
Swapping an old toilet sounds simple until you get the old one off and find a soil pipe that has moved, a floor that is not level, or a cistern that has never sealed right. I fit close-coupled, back-to-wall and wall-hung toilets across Oldham and the surrounding area, and I sort the base underneath it as well as the pan on top.
Reasons people are replacing rather than repairing
A new installation is usually a decision, not an emergency — but here's what tends to trigger the call:
- The old pan is cracked, chipped or has a hairline crack that weeps after every flush
- The cistern is an old high-level or low-level type and parts are no longer sold
- You're changing from close-coupled to a wall-hung unit for more floor space
- The toilet rocks on the floor and no amount of shimming has fixed it
- You're refitting a bathroom and want the toilet moved to a different position
- A landlord is replacing a suite between tenancies
- The waste connector has failed repeatedly and the pan itself needs to come off anyway
Clear quote before any work starts. A call-out fee may apply — always confirmed on the phone before we travel.
How the fitting goes
A straight swap and a repositioned toilet are two different jobs — this covers both.
- 01
Check the outlet and existing pipework
Before ordering anything, I check whether you've got a horizontal, back-to-wall or S-trap outlet, and whether the soil pipe position suits the new pan or needs adapting. Getting this wrong means the wrong toilet turns up. - 02
Remove the old suite carefully
The old pan and cistern come off without cracking tiles or the floor covering where possible. Old fixing bolts are often seized or hidden under decades of paint, so this takes longer than people expect. - 03
Prepare the floor and waste connection
A pan that rocks is almost always sitting on an uneven floor or a soil pipe that's slightly out of position. I level the base and fit a new flexible or rigid pan connector rather than reusing an old, hardened one. - 04
Fit the new pan, cistern and seat
Bolted down square, sealed to the floor with the right sealant (not just silicone smeared round the edge), and the cistern connected with new fittings — fill valve, flush valve and flexible tap connector where needed. - 05
Test the flush and check for movement
Several full flushes, a check for any water at the base or behind the cistern, and a check the pan doesn't shift when you sit on it. If it moves at all, it gets refixed before I leave.
Close-coupled, back-to-wall or wall-hung
Most homes in Oldham and the wider area have close-coupled toilets — pan and cistern as one connected unit, straightforward to source and fit. These are the quickest and usually the cheapest to replace like-for-like.
Wall-hung units look better and make cleaning the floor easier, but they need a concealed cistern frame fixed properly into a stud wall or solid wall with the right fixings — this isn't a job to rush, because a loose frame behind tiles is a nightmare to fix later. If you're considering wall-hung, it's worth talking through the wall type before you buy the unit.
Where the old soil pipe position doesn't line up with a new pan's outlet, there are offset connectors and macerator options depending on the layout. I'll tell you honestly if a particular toilet won't work with your existing pipework rather than forcing a fit that leaks in six months.
Is this an emergency, or can it be booked in?
Both are fine — but it helps us prioritise if you know which one you're describing.
- The existing toilet is leaking at the base and can't be turned off
- A crack has appeared and water is escaping with every flush
- It's the only toilet in the property and it's now unusable
- You're planning a bathroom refresh and want quotes in advance
- The current toilet still works but looks tired or dated
- You want to switch to a wall-hung or space-saving design
- A rental property needs a suite replaced between tenants
Emergency? Here's what to send us
A photo or short video helps too. The more we know before setting off, the less time is wasted when we get there.
Your postcode
So we can tell you straight away whether you're inside the radius we cover.
What the problem is
In your own words — where the water is coming from and how long it's been going on.
A phone number
The best number to reach you on when we're close, so nobody is left waiting at the wrong door.
House or flat
Flats, shared risers and upstairs neighbours change how a leak has to be isolated.
Toilet Installation — common questions
Do I need to buy the toilet myself?
Either way works. Some people prefer to choose their own suite and I fit it; others ask me to recommend something reliable within a budget. Just check the outlet type (horizontal, S-trap or back-to-wall) matches your existing pipework before buying.
Can you move the toilet to a different spot in the bathroom?
Yes, within reason. Moving the soil connection means altering pipework under the floor or behind the wall, which is more work than a straight swap, so I'll need to see the space before quoting properly.
How long does a straight swap take?
A like-for-like close-coupled replacement is usually a few hours. A wall-hung conversion with a new concealed cistern frame takes longer because of the framework and boxing-in involved.
Will you take the old toilet away?
Yes, the old suite is removed and taken with me unless you'd rather keep it or dispose of it yourself.
What does it cost?
You get a clear quote before any work starts, based on the suite type and what your existing pipework needs. A call-out fee may apply and that's always confirmed on the phone before I travel.
More answers on our plumbing FAQ page and in how it works.
Related jobs we take on
Areas we cover for this
Plumbing emergency right now?
Call and speak to the plumber who will be doing the job — not a call centre. Lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.
You get a clear quote before work starts. A call-out fee may apply — confirmed on the phone before we travel.