Replacing a toilet: DIY or plumber?

Short answer: replacing a floor-standing toilet with a similar model in the same place is doable for a handy DIYer, as long as the waste outlet and water connection fit and are in good condition. Fitting a wall-hung toilet with a concealed cistern, moving the toilet or changing pipework is work for a plumber or certified installer. If you have doubts about the waste pipe, the angle stop valve or earlier leaks, also leave it to a professional.

👷 Calling in a professional is never unnecessary. A leaking waste or water connection often only shows when there is damage, especially in an apartment where the water ends up with the neighbours below. For water and waste work you are not sure about, call in a certified installer.

First check: what do you have now?

Before you choose a new toilet, establish three things:

• Floor-standing or wall-hung: a close-coupled toilet stands on the floor with the cistern on top. A wall-hung toilet hangs on a concealed frame in or in front of the wall.
• Outlet to the floor or the wall: with a floor-standing toilet the waste goes either down through the floor or back through the wall. The new toilet must match; check this in the product information.
• Condition of the connections: does the angle stop valve still work well, is the waste pipe clean and intact, and are there no signs of earlier leaks?

When can you do it yourself?

You replace a floor-standing toilet with, for example, a Cersanit President close-coupled toilet with duroplast seat or a Cersanit Merida close-coupled toilet with soft-close seat, in the same place, with the same type of outlet. No pipe changes are needed and the floor is flat and solid. The job then consists of disconnecting, cleaning, refitting, connecting and checking. Allow a few hours of work and a heavy bowl that you have to lift carefully.

A new seat on an existing toilet, such as a Carina duroplast soft-close toilet seat, or a different flush plate on an existing concealed frame, such as a Accento Circle flush plate in matt black, are also jobs you usually do yourself.

When do you choose a plumber?

• From floor-standing to wall-hung: you fit a System 50 concealed frame, build a false wall and tile it. Waste and water must come out at exactly the right height and the frame must be firmly fixed to floor and wall. Read what to look for in our buying guide for concealed frames.
• A new wall-hung toilet such as a Cersanit Cersania wall-hung toilet with soft-close seat or Cersanit Savio CleanOn wall-hung toilet with slim seat on an existing frame is simpler, but only if the frame and connections are in order.
• Moving the toilet or renewing pipes.
• Doubts about the waste pipe, an outlet that does not fit or an old pipe that feels brittle.
• Earlier leaks around the base or behind the wall.
• An angle stop valve that no longer closes properly. Replacing a separate angle stop valve for a CersanitLink concealed frame is installation work.

How replacing a floor-standing toilet works

1. Close the angle stop valve and flush so the cistern is empty. Keep a 12-litre bucket and a cloth ready for the remaining water.
2. Disconnect the water supply with water pump pliers set and unscrew the fixings of bowl and cistern.
3. Lift the bowl off carefully and cover the waste pipe temporarily against sewer smell and falling parts.
4. Clean the floor and waste pipe and check the pipe for damage.
5. Place the new bowl dry, check with a 60 cm spirit level that it stands level and mark the drill holes. If you drill into tiles, read the bowl's instructions first.
6. Position and fix the bowl according to the instructions, connect the waste with the matching connector and tighten the fixings hand-tight, not too hard: ceramic can crack.
7. Connect the water, open the valve slowly and check all couplings for drips.
8. Seal the base with sanitary silicone sealant and a sealant gun if the instructions say so. Read how to run a neat sealant joint in our blog on resealing a bathroom with new silicone.

⚠️ If it drips after opening the valve, close it again straight away. If a coupling keeps leaking or the waste is not seated properly, call in a plumber before you use the toilet.

Working safely

Wear work gloves with nitrile coating: you are working with dirty water and sharp edges of old ceramic. Wear safety goggles when drilling into tiles or when old ceramic can break. Lift the bowl with both hands using your legs, and ask for help with a heavy close-coupled toilet.

Does every new toilet fit my old waste pipe?

No. A floor-standing toilet with an outlet to the floor does not simply fit a waste pipe in the wall. Check the outlet and dimensions of the new toilet beforehand, and ask a professional if it is not clear.

Can I fit a concealed cistern myself?

It requires carpentry, plumbing and tiling at the same time. If you have not done this before, leave it to a plumber. Read more about wall-hung toilets in our blog on rimless wall-hung toilets.

Should the old angle stop valve be replaced too?

If it is stiff or no longer closes properly, replacing it is sensible. That is installation work; have a certified installer do it if you are in doubt.

With good preparation you can replace a floor-standing toilet in the same place yourself. Anything involving moving, building in or doubts about pipework is work for a professional.

Read also: Complete rimless wall-hung toilet sets: buying guide · Cersanit concealed frame: installation and buying guide · Reseal your bathroom with new silicone

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

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