Buying a Toilet

[LemonDrizzles]

Hi there, I need to buy a toilet (not a toilet seat.)

Our plumber came in to look at a leak. He says the toilet needs to be replaced and we need to buy one. I asked him for hints as to what to look for when purchasing and he only said one word "footprint". He didn't mention what I needed to measure to get a footprint. Well, in fact he did tell my husband a great deal when I wasn't there and then when my Dh called me in to ask the plumber to repeat it all so that I knew what to buy, plumber went stone cold silent and it was like pulling teeth to get him to say the singular word footprint. Later on, I find out from DH that we will have to take into account something to do with the toilet being under the tile(?) but my DH, bless him, didn't quite understand what plumber was saying.

So i'm hoping some MNetters can please help me with how I go about buying a toilet. I have never bought one. The bathroom was as is when we moved in. I have never participated in any form of bathroom renovation.

Just want to understand what questions I need to ask myself before I buy one?

Things I'm looking for is a powerful(ish) flush. (the current one has a good flush and it all always goes down on the first go.
I am looking for a "handle" flush instead of the button at the top (the current one has a button at the top)

Thanks in advance!

I think he means it just needs to fit in the same space as the existing loo. So not taller, not wider, not deeper. And maybe the bolts that secure it to the floor need to be in the same place as the current one. Measure absolutely everything on your current toilet and maybe take photos. I’d recommend going to a builders merchants that does bathrooms and showing them the measurements and photos. They’ll be able to help. If by any chance you are in south east Wales, I can recommend a good one!

Look at your existing WC where it meets the floor.

1- Was the the bathroom flooring fitted before or after the WC went in? Is it only around the base of the unit, and not under it? If it isn't fully floored right under, you will need to find a WC unit that is the same shape and size where it meets the flooring or it will look untidy - a gap around WC base before flooring starts if unit is smaller, possibly not levelled if larger.

2- Look at the height of the WC unit, do you limitations here with the way tiling or boxing in has been completed? I think this is what the plumber is getting at. You need to find a new WC unit that is the right size and shape to fit into your existing setup of tiles etc.

I would make an appointment with a local branch of a plumbing merchant like PlumbCity and go armed with you measurements and a couple of photos of the existing unit. Get them to help you find a suitable replacement.

Look at toilet see if you can find same in screwfix toolstation b and q or wickes whichever is nearer to you.

My plumber supplies the parts we need new toilets/ shower heads etc...
it's odd he's not sorting it and then just adding the parts to the invoice

Look also where the waste sewer pipe is. Is it in the floor or the wall and the measurements to the wall if it’s in the floor and how high up the wall if it’s in the wall. Then check the measurements of the new toilet and that they fit. We had a new toilet that the plumber had to build a wooden casing at the back as it wasn’t flush against the wall and the old one had been

I just bought a toilet fro plumb world - best price.

I got a RAK toilet as I was above all interested in a powerful flush. It has not disappointed!

Take a photo of the toilet including the floor- you shouldn't need to get an identical one, but if the tiles have been fitted round it, rather than under it,the new loo needs to cover the gap.

Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll be measuring/photographing!

How committed are you to this plumber?
Most plumbers I have dealt with will go and buy all the correct fittings and charge the client for them. Is he expecting you to pick up any other bits as well?
As you are unsure of things I would personally advise you to get a plumber who will cost for whole job including supply of toilet and full fitting in your home
What would happen if you got wrong one would he come round say its a none starter and go away again or do additional work to fit it inflating the bill

If the "toilet is under the tile", what your plumber is saying OP is that the base of the new toilet needs to fit into the exact same space to ensure no unsightly gaps or need to chip off bits of floor tile to make it fit.