Toilet repair in Exeter
Professional toilet repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£110
Typical Duration
30-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Toilet playing up? Running constantly, weak flush, or leaking? I'll diagnose and fix it properly - usually just worn internal parts that need replacing.
When Your Toilet Won't Behave
The cistern keeps running and you can hear water trickling all day. Or the flush is so weak you have to flush three times. Or there's a puddle appearing around the base and you're not sure where it's coming from. All fixable, usually quickly.
💡 Pro tip: A running toilet can waste 200+ litres per day. If you're on a water meter, that's £300 a year literally down the toilet. Worth fixing immediately.
Common Toilet Problems
Most toilet issues are simple mechanisms that wear out:
| ✅ Working Toilet | ❌ Faulty Toilet |
|---|---|
| Fills and stops | Runs constantly into bowl |
| Strong, complete flush | Weak flush, need to flush twice |
| Quiet between uses | Hissing or trickling noise |
| Dry floor around base | Water leaking around pan |
| Flush lever works first time | Have to jiggle or hold handle down |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Diagnose | Work out what's actually wrong (not always obvious) |
| Repair | Replace failed parts - fill valve, flush valve, seals, etc. |
| Test | Multiple flushes, check for leaks, confirm it's working |
| Advise | Let you know if anything else needs attention soon |
📦 You're Left With
- Toilet that flushes properly
- No running water
- No leaks
- Peace and quiet
Pricing Guide
| Issue | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Cistern mechanism (running water) | 30-45 mins | £60-£85 |
| Flush problems (siphon/valve) | 45-60 mins | £85-£110 |
| Leaking pan seal | 60-90 mins | £110-£135 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Includes common replacement parts.
Perfect For...
✅ Constantly running - wasting water and money
✅ Weak flush - won't clear properly
✅ Leaking around base - damp floor, smell
✅ Broken handle/mechanism - won't flush at all
Why Choose Us for Toilet repair in Exeter?
Stop water waste and high bills
Fixed properly, not bodged
All common toilet problems sorted
Parts included for standard repairs
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Problem
I'll check what's actually failing. Lift the cistern lid, watch what happens when you flush, check for leaks around the pan. Most problems show themselves pretty quickly.
Step 2: Fix It
Replace the faulty part - could be the fill valve (if it won't stop filling), flush valve (if flush is weak), siphon (older toilets), or pan-to-floor seal (if it's leaking at the base).
Step 3: Test Thoroughly
Multiple flushes to make sure it's working properly. Check for drips, listen for running water, confirm good flush strength. Leave it working perfectly.
🔧 DIY Tips
Some toilet repairs are DIY-able, others are messier than you'd think:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanner
- Screwdriver
- Bucket and old towels
- Replacement part (the tricky bit - there are dozens of variations)
- Possibly a new pan seal if working on the base
🔩 Common fixes
For running water:
- Turn off water supply to toilet
- Flush to empty cistern
- Remove old fill valve
- Fit new fill valve (usually a Torbeck or Fluidmaster)
- Adjust float height
- Turn water back on, test
For weak flush:
- Could be blocked rim holes (limescale) - clean with descaler
- Or failed siphon/flush valve - needs replacing
- Turn off water, empty cistern, swap mechanism
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Wrong replacement part (there are loads of variations)
- Not turning water off first (flooded bathroom)
- Over-tightening plastic threads (crack the cistern)
- Forgetting washers or seals (leaks)
- Disturbing the pan seal (now the floor leaks too)
💡 Pro trick: Take photos of the old mechanism before dismantling. Also, take the old part to the plumbers' merchant to match it exactly. Generic "universal" parts often don't work as well as the right one.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 Leaking at the base? This could be the pan seal (needs replacing - messy job), condensation on the outside of the pan (not actually leaking), or a split in the porcelain (can't be fixed, needs replacement). I can tell which.
Dual-flush toilets have more complex mechanisms that fail more often than old-fashioned single-flush siphons. Parts are more expensive too. But they save water when they work.
Really old toilets with high-level cisterns use simple siphon mechanisms that last for decades. When they do fail, parts are still available and they're easy to fix.
Toilet wobbles? Not just annoying - it can crack the pan seal and cause leaks. Needs tightening down or shimming level. Quick fix while I'm there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems can you fix?
Running water, weak flush, leaking around the base, cistern not filling, flush handle broken, wobbly toilet, internal mechanisms failed. Pretty much any toilet problem short of the whole unit being cracked beyond repair.
Will you need to replace my whole toilet?
Rarely. Most toilet problems are internal mechanism failures - flush valve, fill valve, or siphon. All replaceable. If the pan itself is cracked or the fixings are completely corroded through, then yes, replacement might be necessary.
Can you fix really old toilets?
Usually yes. Victorian high-level cisterns, 1960s close-coupled, modern dual-flush - I've worked on them all. Older toilets might need sourcing specific parts (siphons, flush mechanisms) but they're usually fixable.
What if it's still leaking after you fix it?
Shouldn't happen, but if it does within a few days, I'll come back and sort it at no extra charge. Sometimes there's a secondary problem that only shows up once the first is fixed.
How long does it take?
Most toilet repairs take 30-60 minutes. Simple cistern mechanism swap is 30 minutes. More complex issues (pan to floor seal, hidden leaks) can take longer.
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