Plumber hasn’t bolted WC pan to floor - is this right?

[avocadoze]

We have just had a new bathroom fitter and the plumber hasn’t bolted the WC pan to the floor. There are holes either side of the base of the pan for just that.

It’s possible he’s used sealant, but that’s not a long-term fix, is it? And the holes for the bolts will allow any liquids which run down the outside of the pan to get into the space underneath, won’t they?

I think I need pigletjohn or someone who knows this sort of thing as I feel I’m being fobbed off by “nah, love, we use this stuff to fix it these days”.

I have no definitive answer but I wouldn't be happy/accept that either.

Turned out our new (25 year old) home had a toilet pan that was not screwed to floor. We noticed after a while that the pan occasionally moved slightly. Closer examination showed that the waste pipe at the back was occasionally dripping as the seal was weakened by the movement.
Got a plumber in to secure the pan and waste seal and while he was at it he found and replaced the saturated chip board flooring that was soak with toilet waste water. He said it had obviously been dripping for years!!!!

My advice, make them fix it down or threatened to get it fixed and recover the costs from them, if necessary through the small claims court.
Or if your able, get the screws and fittings from a plumbers merchants type place and try to screw it down yourself very carefully. You do not want to break the pan by over tightening..

It is possible s/he just forgot. It does happen, but I would get it screwed down. Personally I would do it myself - is it really worth the hassle getting the plumber to do it for what is a five minute (if that) job.

Sorry about the typos above, didn't proof read before posting, hope you got the jist!

It needs fixed to the floor and wall at cistern. To not do this is rather rough and will cause Leaks from small movement at later date. I would not be happy with this in my house. Trust me I'm a plumber.

I am a plumber and have worked on building sites all over the country for the last 15 years, if I didn't screw a pan down to the floor or back to the wall I would have to drive back to do it nomatter where it was, school boy error. Plus there is no sealant that will do this, what a load of BS. If I lived close enough I would do it for you love.

Morning w,c pan should always be screwed to the floor unfortunately you have a lazy plumber

Cowboy.
Flexible seal is, well, flexible! You need it screwing down.
Is it a tiled floor?

It is a tiled floor. After I mentioned it to the builder yesterday I can see he’s put a line of silicone sealant along the base, but still no bolts in place.

How did I guess don't do it yourself you need a tile drill bit and a slow revolution chase him up to finish it.
One good shove will break the sealant.

Definitely get him to do it with a tiled floor - I retract previous advice!

Hi avocadoze,
I'm a plumber with my own business and can assure you, the pan must be screwed down. We don't do it any other way these days. Silicone on a toilet is NEVER required if fitted correctly. If the cistern comes with no holes, a small dab behind is acceptable to hold the cistern still but not the pan.
If you used a builder and not a plumber, they won't be aware of standard plumbing practice, regulations or possibly even what is right or wrong.
Doesn't matter if the job is 1 minute or 1 hour, you've paid for that bathroom, you deserve to have it completed.
Someone mention they may have forgotten, which is fine, we do miss things hence we have snagging lists but if they're telling you it doesn't need it, it does. My main concern would be if they're telling you it's not required, what else 'isn't required'?
More than happy to give you (or anyone else) free advice. I'll never ask anyone's address so it's not like I'm trying to steal work and I'll always be honest.
That toilet needs screwing to the floor with a pan fixing kit. (Brass screws- they don't rust)

Deffently don't attempt to screw the wc pan down yourself just incase he has positioned the water supply pipes directly underneath the wc pan.

Thank you - mumsnet is brilliant. I took some info from this thread and asked again. The plumber will be coming back tomorrow to finish the job!

It should be fixed to the floor using brass screws. Brass prevents them from corrosion and makes removing the pan easier.

Failing to fix the pan will cause leaks and could actually cause the pan to break. The last thing you want is sharp porcelain chopping into your man or lady bits.

It should be secured to the floor using some kind of screw / bolt. Some people like to seal around the base of the pan as well but the pan should not be secured to the floor with just a sealant or adhesive. Doing so would mean any maintenance would be a lot more costly.

As long its strong and not moving & there's no leakage
Its finee

it's fine until any maintenance is required. Then it's really NOT fine. It's a pain in the ass for whoever has to carry out the repair, because the only way to make the installation look neat is to remove all the silicon. To remove the silicon in the first place usually requires a blade of some sort which can lead to damaging the flooring.

If you can see the cistern I would take the lid off it to see if screws or silicon have been used to secure the cistern to the wall. Not all cisterns have holes for screws though, however most do. You may need to be careful removing the lid of the cistern in order not to damage the flush button (if there is one)

As the only professional plumber here i will say screwing pans down ruins waterproofing. the standards require a pan to be screwed OR cemented to the floor and silicone is classed as cement the screw holes will be filled with silicone and caps installed to stop water getting under pan. Whoever says a good push will move a siliconed pan has never had to break one to get it out. In future trust your plumber rather than these people who dont know what they are talking about.

The pan needs to be siliconed anyway to stop piss getting under it. In future if you dont know please dont comment with your best guess.

As a plumber and bathroom fitter of the last 20 years please ignore anyone who says the Pan doesn't need fixing down. No such thing as not being waterproof or any other excuse. Most Manufacturers supply Pan fixings with the pan for a reason

Your wrong mate cant imagine how many waterproofing warranties you have voided . I will quote my plumbers licence number and licence picture if you question me again. So unless you can too shhhhh.

Btw manufactures standards are SECONDARY to plumbing standards as most manufacturers are chinese and have no idea about first world standards.

How stupid can you be ,you didn't hear about silicone remover spray or liquid?? If you dont know better be mute!