Toilets need to be replaced in 8 year old house?

[Herbion]

Is this a thing or has the plumber pulled the wool over our eyes?

Downstairs toilet started leaking. Plumber visited and tells us that it is a common thing with modern new-builds, that the builders don't put in quality sanitaryware (is that the right term?) they are cheap rubbish imported from China, the enamel is thin and so they may start to leak after just a few years. He ends up replacing the toilet and we end up with a big bill. He showed me where the enamel was worn, I just take his word for it TBH. He says the same will probably happen with the upstairs toilet, but when he looks upstairs and sees there is tiling around that one he pulls back and says well, that will be more complicated, best leave it for a bit and see how it goes.

Is this a thing, that cheap toilets are installed by builders and will need replacing in just a few years? Has anyone else had this? Or any plumbers around?

You would think you could have confidence in a new build, at least within the first ten years!

Sorry I think you've been had. Plumbing and pipe work, yes. The actual toilet should have been fine!

I had a toilet installed 2015, the cheapest of the cheap as I was ftb, it leaked after 4 years and when it came out plumber showed me the bit that had corroded and worn away. I learned a hard lesson then of buy cheap buy twice as it ruined the hallway roof too!!

@Herbion can you post a pic of where it is supposed to be leaking?? my house was newbuild 27 years ago and all bathroom fittings were armitage shanks! still going strong

I'd be a bit suspicious. I have a new build which is 12 years old and all of my toilets have had the seal replaced and one needed full new internal flush replacement. But the ceramic toilet itself is still fine. Mine is an "ideal".

Mine isn't? I mean the toilets aren't great but that's the only thing that's not pretty much perfect to be honest! No issue at all. This whole 'new builds are thrown up' is becoming a tagline that people just repeat with no actual basis at all

Mine are ideal as well. They are perfect after 20 years. But the seats ... I shall moan again about the price of those.

I don't understand the use of the word "enamel". I thought toilets were glazed rather than enameled. I tend to agree with the sceptics. The seals that go into the "enamel" I can understand failing. The "enamel" itself I don't understand. What actually would be in contact with the "enamel" that would cause wear ? Unless say the citsern wasn't fixed properly and every time the handle was flushed it pulled the citsern backwards and forwards rubbing the seal gainst the "enamel". I can't think of anything else.

How much did the repair cost ?

Unlikely to be over the minimum claim value. NHBC don't charge an excess so claims have to be over a minimum value to be valid. I don't know what the value is, but will be more than the cost of a new toilet.

They are ceramic, you're right. Enamel is used to coat metal, like with ovens, Le Creuset cookware, and old cast iron baths.

OP - I'd get another plumber in if I were you, sounds like this chap pulled a fast one.

Are you sure he said they are from China? And that your toilet is made from enamel? Enamel is usually used over metal (so you could have an enamel bath) but toilets are not made from metal, usually ceramic or sometimes called china. If your toilet was cracked I can understand he might call that wear, but ceramic doesn’t really wear down so that it gets holes in or leaks. Which bit was leaking exactly? I am assuming either the connections and pipes behind or under the toilet, or leaking from the cistern into the pan?

We replaced a toilet from the 60's when we moved into this house. It used tons of water and the inside parts and handle kept breaking and constant water running.
New Loo cheap as chips from B&Q and now 8 years later poor Dh has replaced all the inside parts twice it's all plastic cheap and thin. He's already found the next toilet he's using as the whole bathroom is getting done next.
Leaky pipes and water running constantly yes, but worn ceramics making it leak I very much doubt it unless the whole thing had a crack in it.

Are you talking about the toilet bowl? What kind of toilet is enamelled?? A toilet doesn’t leak from wear on the surface.

We replaced our downstairs toilet when we moved here 12 years ago. It‘a a Bristan and was the cheapest takeaway toilet from Homebase.
It’s had a couple of new seats and the inside ballcock and valve was replaced. But apart from that it’s going strong despite it being the most used toilet.

One of my friends got a very expensive toilet (think around £800 ) and the cistern kept leaking and then a crack appeared on the side of the bowl after a couple of years.

Cost doesn’t always equal quality.

I agree. Get a second opinion.